Absence
ABSENCE
It is Archdiocesan policy that when a pupil has been absent, a written excuse signed by the parent or guardian is required, and will be kept on file with the teacher until the end of the official grading period. According to policy, students may be excused a maximum of 20 days in any trimester unless a special arrangement is made for a homebound program.
Parents should call the school office before 9:30 am (626) 796-8223, Extension 1 to report that your child will be absent from school. Please state his/her name, grade and reason that he/she will be absent from school on this absentee phone line. It is absolutely necessary to state the reason so that the teacher can be advised, as we list the reason on the attendance slip for the teacher each day. A doctor’s release may be requested before a student can be re-admitted for some medical reasons. ANY FAMILY THAT DOESN’T CALL THE SCHOOL BY 9:30 AM WILL RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE AT HOME OR BUSINESS; however, a WRITTEN EXCUSE FROM THE PARENT IS STILL REQUIRED when the child returns, in order for him/her to be admitted to the classroom. This note should be written clearly on suitable stationery, should include the date(s) of the absence, and must be signed by the parent or guardian. If there is no note, the student will be sent to the office to place a call home or at work. The child will not be readmitted to class until the note arrives. Any questions about absenteeism should be brought to the attention of the teacher within one week of the distribution of report cards.
Tardy Policy
Students must be standing on their “blue” class lines when the 8:00 a.m. bell rings. Any student who is not on their line will be asked to remain behind the classes until the morning announcements are completed. A Yard supervisor will fill out and hand the student a Late Slip. The Late Slip must be signed by the parents and returned to the teacher the next day. Parents must accompany their child to the office if they arrive after 8:10 am. If a student demonstrates excessive tardies in a trimester or school year, the parents may be required to attend a parent conference to rectify the situation. Excessive tardies will effect a students conduct grades, attendance records, and participation in school activities.
Truancy
A student who is absent from school more than three (3) days in one school year or is tardy in excess of thirty (30) minutes on each of four (4) days or more in one (1) school year, without a valid excuse, is a truant.
In the event that a school suspects that a student is truant (absent from school, without a valid excuse), the school administration should contact the parent/guardian. If the school suspects that the student is a habitual truant (absent three (3) times in a school year, without a valid excuse) an all resources at the school level have been exhausted the school principal can notify the local public Child Welfare and Attendance authorities.
A student who has been reported once as a truant and who is absent again from school one (1) or more days, or is tardy on one (1) or more days, without a valid excuse, can be reported again as a truant to the attendance office of the local public school district. A student is considered a habitual truant who has been reported as truant three (3) or more times, and is then subject to dismissal.