Attendance
Attendance Policy - Table of Contents
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
SCHOOL HOURS
ABSENCES
EXTENDED ABSENCES
OUTSIDE APPOINTMENTS
ILLNESS
TARDINESS
TRUANCY/UNEXCUSED CLASS ABSENCE
EXCESSIVE ABSENTEEISM
SCHOOL RELATED ABSENCES
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Regular attendance at school is absolutely necessary if students are to obtain the maximum benefit from their educational experience. A parent or guardian must notify the Attendance Office prior to any absence at least one day ahead of time whenever possible. Excuse for missing a school day or early dismissal on any given day is granted only for serious reasons. Students who miss school for unnecessary reasons not only hamper their education, but also hinder school efforts to educate the student. Make-up work must be completed and is the responsibility of the student. Parents should make arrangements get make-up work when their child is absent for more than 2 days. Assignments are available on the classroom teacher's website. If internet access is not available, parents may call the Administration Office by 9 a.m. to request homework.
SCHOOL HOURS
The school day begins at 8:05 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. Exceptions to these times may occur due to staff meetings, special events, or inclement weather. The Superintendent of Sioux Falls Catholic Schools determines cancellation of school due to inclement weather or emergency situations. Announcements regarding school cancellation can be heard on local radio and television stations.
ABSENCES
Parents/guardians of absent students are to notify the Attendance Office (575-3310) each day of absence. Absences will be considered excused for reasons of serious illness, injury, medical or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled outside of school hours, weddings in the family, family emergencies, death in the family and when students are official representatives of the school at school sponsored activities. Students will be released from lunch or study halls only for the most serious of reasons and students must have approval from the Administration.
EXTENDED ABSENCES
Parents are requested to schedule student vacations and trips when school is not in session. However, if it is necessary for a student to be absent for one or more full days, the parent/guardian should send a note with the student at least one day prior to the absence stating the reason and time for the dismissal. With this permission, the student must obtain an Extended Absence slip from the Attendance Office. The slip must be signed by the teacher of each class. The student must return this slip to the Attendance Office and sign out before leaving the building. This slip alerts teachers of the upcoming absence, allows the student to receive assignments in advance, and serves as the pass for the student to leave class. Students who fail to return the slip may receive detention.
OUTSIDE APPOINTMENTS
Parents are requested to schedule student appointments outside of the school day whenever possible. However, if it is necessary for a student to be excused during the school day, the parent/guardian should call or send a note with the student at least one day prior to this absence stating the reason and time for the early dismissal. The Attendance Office will issue a Permit to Leave the Building once parent permission is received. The student must return the permit to the Attendance Office and sign out. This permit also serves as the pass back to class upon return.
ILLNESS
Students who become ill during the school day should report to the Attendance Office for assistance. Students who are ill will be released once a parent/guardian contact has been made. In the event a parent/guardian cannot be reached, an attempt will be made to contact the persons indicated on the Emergency Medical Card for permission to release the student. Updating emergency medical cards is critical for the health and well being of the student in the event of an emergency. Students who are absent for four or more periods may not participate in school events that same day or evening.
TARDINESS
Students are expected to be on time for all classes. Students who are tardy at the start of school should report to the Attendance Office to sign in and obtain a “Tardy Admit”. First period tardiness is unexcused. Students are allowed one unexcused first period tardy per six week reporting period with no penalty. Each subsequent first period tardy will result in detention. All tardies during the school day will result in detention. Students have two (2) school days to serve detention(s). Detention starts at 7:25 a.m. on specified days.
Excessive Tardiness will be referred to the Student Assistance Team - Five (5) or more tardies from a class in any one semester may result in loss of credit for that class. The Administration will confer with the Student Assistance Team to determine appropriate consequences. If a student is placed on contract, the student will receive “no credit” in that class. If the class involved is a study hall, the Student Assistance Team will make a recommendation to the principal for appropriate disciplinary action. Reissuing credit with the appropriate grade earned will be contingent on the student adhering to the attendance policy.
TRUANCY/UNEXCUSED CLASS ABSENCE
Students who are absent from school or a particular class without parent/guardian or administrative permission will be considered truant. Students may not leave the classroom or fail to attend a class without direct permission from their teacher. In addition, students may not leave school property unless they have prior parent/guardian permission or permission from the administration. If a student is found to have left a classroom, skipped a class, or left the school property unexcused, he/she may expect the following consequences:
First consequence: 1 day of In-School Suspension and possible 2% loss of grades.
Second consequence: 1 day Out-of-School Suspension*, possible 2% loss of grades, and referral to the Student Assistance Team for appropriate intervention.
Third consequence: 3 days Out-of-School Suspension*, possible 2% loss of grades, and continued monitoring by the Student Assistance Team.
Fourth consequence: alternative placement.
*All Out of School Suspensions require a meeting between the parent(s) and Administration before a student will be allowed to return to class.
NOTE: The 2% loss of grade penalties will be deducted prior to final grades being issued for the semester. Students and parents will be notified if this penalty is invoked.
EXCESSIVE ABSENTEEISM/LOSS OF CREDIT
Ten (10) or more absences from a class in any one semester may result in loss of credit for that class. Reissuing credit with the appropriate grade earned will be contingent on the student adhering to the attendance policy and meeting the expectations of the Administration and the Student Assistance Team. Medical exceptions with a written doctor’s statement or unusual circumstances cleared with the Administration will be taken into consideration. Unusual circumstances such as prolonged illness, emergencies, etc., will also be taken into consideration. In determining loss of credit in a course, heavy emphasis is placed on unexcused absences or abusive patterns of behavior. Academic concerns should be directed to the specific teacher. School related absences are NOT included in Excessive Absence Reports and are NOT considered when determining loss of credit in a course; however, excessive absences of any kind can have a detrimental effect on academic achievement. Excessive absences of any kind may prevent students from attending future school related events that require students to miss school. Excessive absenteeism has been shown to be an indicator of potential at-risk behaviors. If deemed necessary and appropriate, additional requirements for attendance may be requested by Administration.
SCHOOL RELATED ABSENCES
College Visits—Juniors and Seniors are allowed two school days to visit colleges. These absences are recorded as “school related absences” and are not recorded on a student’s transcript. Please notify the Attendance Office of these visits so that they may be recorded accordingly. Documentation may be requested. Additional days may be granted with administrative approval. These days may be limited if the student has exhibited habitual patterns of absenteeism or tardiness.
Retreats—During the course of the year, Senior, Junior and Sophomore students are offered special opportunities for spiritual formation. Seniors begin the year with a day that focuses their leadership role in the school and faith community. Two optional “Senior Time Retreat” days are offered which address specific concerns during the transition from high school to college.
Juniors participate in a day-long retreat held at Broom Tree Retreat Center & Youth & Family Camp. The day addresses gender-specific topics related to baptismal identity as sons and daughters of God, the gifts of masculinity and femininity, and the challenges of living as Catholic men and women in the world.
Sophomores participate in a service retreat during the last week in Lent. Preparation begins with classroom instruction, discussion, and reflection on the meaning of Christian Service. The retreat culminates in a day of service in the Sioux Falls parishes.
Other small group spiritual formation opportunities are provided for members of the student body. These vary from year to year and class to class.
Field Trips/Educational Absences—Educational absences may be given with the approval of the Administration when the absence constitutes a true educational experience. Permission will require a written explanation from the parent/guardian.
With all educational absences, it must be remembered that:
Students represent O’Gorman High School. Conduct should reflect the high ideals of the school.
Students will be expected to dress appropriately.
Chaperones approved by the school shall accompany students.
Students must go and return in the same group. No permission will be granted to leave the assigned group except when parents request of the chaperone directly in charge, that a student accompany the parents in the parents’ car.
Students will report promptly to the designated place at the assigned times.
Students should consult faculty sponsors before trips when any question arises as to proper attire, transportation and other arrangements.
Permission forms obtained in the Administrative Office must be signed by parents prior to the student attending any school-sponsored trip.
State Tournaments and Special Events—Requests to attend school sponsored or school related state tournaments and events must be made in writing one school day prior to the start of the tournament or event. Requests received on the day of the tournament or event may not be excused.
