PTHS Attendance Policy 2005-06

Daily attendance and active participation in each class is a critical part of the learning process.  The following policies and procedures are designed to help students learn responsibility and increase their potential for success.

I.  RESPONSIBILITY FOR ATTENDANCE

Students and parents must accept full responsibility for regular school attendance.  Failure to do so may result in loss of credit or grades, removal from class, or removal from school.  If a student is on campus, he/she is expected to be in class.

II.  ABSENCES

All absences NEED TO BE VERIFIED BY THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN and documented at home on a personal calendar.  After an absence, students are to take a parental/medical note to the attendance office within 24 hours to get the absence excused.  Even excused absences count against the number allowed within the attendance policy.  For a complete review of absence procedures, look in the student handbook.  The school board policy regarding absences may also be reviewed.  Students are expected to make up all class work accrued during an absence.  Missing a block period class will count as 1.5 days absence.

III. PROCEDURES

Attendance will be taken in each class.  An absence is defined as ANY TIME you miss class or are more than 10 minutes late to class.  Students leaving classes without permission before the end of the period may be considered absent.

When a student accumulates:

1.  SIX (6) absences in a class, parents/guardians will be contacted (phone or letter)

2.  TEN (10) absences in a class, an administrator or attendance office personnel will conference with the student and contact the parent or guardian;

3.  TWELVE (12) absences in a class, the student and parent/guardian will be notified that there has been a loss of credit.  The student will remain in the class to facilitate continued learning and allow for the right to an appeal.  School related activities (field trips, athletics, etc.) which require a student to miss class do not count towards the absence policy.  All other absences do, including pre-arranged absences and parent approved absences.  Only school activities do not count towards the 12-day policy.

Students have the right to appeal loss of credit.  They must appear before an Attendance Appeals Committee, account for their absences, and appeal for reinstatement of credit.  The student requesting the appeal must attend the appeal hearing.  The student’s parents will be invited to attend, but their presence is not mandatory.  The committee will notify the student of their decision within two school days after the hearing.

Note:  If the 12 absences have been caused by an extenuating circumstance, the parent should directly contact an administrator.

V.  PRE-ARRANGED ABSENCES

Pre-arranged absences are considered absences which are arranged in advance.  To obtain a pre-arranged absence, the student must:

1.  Get a pre-arranged absence form from the Attendance Office.

2.  Circulate the form among his/her teachers who will sign it and indicate to what extent the absence may affect the student’s grade.

3.  Have parent sign the form.

4.  Return the form to the attendance office ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE ABSENCE.