Absences from School

ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL

REASONS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES:

  1. Illness of self
  2. Death in the family
  3. Immigration or Court Appearance (subpoena)
  4. Medical Appointment/Hospitalization
  5. Religious Observance (The religious holiday must be listed on District’s approved list)
  6. School Sponsored Events
  7. Alternative to Suspension Program

 

REASONS FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

  1. Absences due to illness of others
  2. Absences due to vacations, personal services, local non-school event, unauthorized sporting activity
  3. Absences due to older students providing day care service for siblings
  4. Absences due to non-compliance with immunization requirements.

ABSENT PROCEDURES (1-10):

  • Student must bring a note within 72 hours (3 days) of an absence.
  • Report to the office and place your notes in the “Drop Off Box”. Notes must have names and ID# clearly written on them.   Notes WILLNOT be turned in during the lunch periods or after school.
  • Admits will be given to the HOMEROOM teacher the following school day.
  • Request makeup assignments for all excused
  • Complete make-up assignments for classes missed within a reasonable amount of time established by the teacher.
  • Without documentation, ALL ABSENCES WILL REMAIN UNEXCUSED!

ABSENT PROCEDURES (11 & beyond):

  • Once a student reaches 11 absences (total), OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FROM A MEDICAL PROVIDER MUST BE PROVIDED WITHIN 72 HOURS FOR EVERY ABSENCE THEREAFTER!
  • Once a student is absent 5 consecutive days, OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FROM A MEDICAL PROVIDER MUST BE PROVIDED WITHIN 72 HOURS.
  • PERSONAL NOTES AND/OR PARENTAL WORD WILL NOT SUFFICE AT THIS POINT.
  • Without documentation, ALL ABSENCES WILL REMAIN UNEXCUSED!

 

 

MAKE-UP WORK AFTER AN ABSENCE

No work / quizzes / exams / home learning, etc. may be made up or turned in if an absence are unexcused.  Additionally, if a student is absent from school, he / she is not allowed on campus during school hours for any reason, unless approved by an administrator.

 

PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS

Shenandoah Middle School recognizes that there are times when a pre-existing medical condition may cause a student to miss an excessive number of days from school. Should this be the case, the parent must provide (IN ADVANCE) all medical documentation to administration, so that appropriate accommodations are made in charge of attendance. If the condition causes the student to miss an exceptional number of days from school, it is strongly recommended that alternative educational options be explored if the child meets the criteria. This is necessary to ensure that the student will receive the optimal educational experience that he/she deserves, and will not run the risk of having to repeat the class due to lack of contact hours.

ATTENDANCE RECORDS REQUEST

Duplicates of attendance records will only be issued to a parent/guardian. These copies may be obtained from the attendance office.

 

EARLY DISMISSAL FROM SCHOOL

No student may be signed out of school unless a PARENT OR GAURDIAN is present in the office to sign him/her out. The parent/guardian’s name must appear on the computer or on the emergency contact card in order to be allowed to sign a student out of school. If the name does not appear, the student will not be released from school. A valid picture ID is required in order to sign a student out of school. THE OFFICE WILL NOT CALL ANYONE FOR VERBAL PERMISSION. It is vitally important that parents make sure that all records are updated and that an emergency contact card is on file. Information update/change forms are available in the attendance office. MDCPS Policy states that students shall not be released 30 minutes prior to dismissal. Administrator permission must be obtained to release student during this time.

 

LATE ARRIVALS / EARLY RELEASE

No student is allowed to be signed into school AFTER 2:00 PM whether or not it is an excused tardy. On the same note, PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED to pick up students from school AFTER 2:30 Only a student’s parent, legal guardian, or other person specified on the Student Data Card may sign a student out to leave school early.

TARDY PROCEDURES (HOMEROOM)

Students are considered tardy if they are not in class (homeroom) by 8:35 a.m. Students will report to the Think Tank Room 118 for processing from 8:35 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. After 9:00 a.m., all students will remain in Room 118 (only first block) and complete written assignments.

 

Number of Tardies Corrective Strategies
1 Verbal Warning Statement
2 Verbal Warning Statement
3 Written Warning Statement
4 Parent / Teacher Conference:  At which time the parent will be referred to student services for either services or seminars

 

 

 

STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED INTO CLASS WITHOUT A TARDY PASS!