What You Need to Know About EHS Part 2 The EHS Attendance Policy

1. What You Need to Know About EHSPart 2The EHS Attendance Policy

2. The assistant principal (Mr. Dodge) is the school’s attendance officer. State law requires that the school keep track of and report attendance information. • In June of each year, the school district is required to report attendance information to the state of Wisconsin. • Any student missing from school is considered truant • The high school office is required to inform parents any time a student is missing from school • Parents must make sure the student returns to school or provide an excuse—a written record of the excuse must be kept

3. A habitual truant is a student who has five or more unexcused absences in a semester • The school district is required by law to inform parents when a student is habitually truant • Parents are responsible by law for making sure students regularly attend school

4. The following are example of absences that the school considers excused • Student illness • Illness to an immediate family member • Medical or professional appointments • The death of a close family member • Religious holidays • Family trips that can only be taken during the school year—the trip must be with your parents • Deer hunting (if you follow the policy) • Court appearances • Attendance at special events that have educational value • Approved school activities • Working in a family business • Special circumstances if approved in advance (driver’s test, college visits, etc.)

5. In order for any of these to be excused, parents must provide a written excuse to the office before the student is readmitted to school • Students with an excused absence are allowed to make up any school work that is missed: • It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the teacher • Student’s will get one additional day to make up work for each day covered by the excused absence (If you are gone 2 days, you get 2 additional days to get your work in) • Students will be allowed to make up any tests or quizzes that were missed during an excused absence

6. Students whose absence from school is unexcused will not have the opportunity to make up missed assignments or earn credit for that but still will be expected to know the information • Students must be permitted to take quizzes or tests missed as part of an unexcused absence • The quickest way to get behind in your classes is to be absent frequently. Once you get behind, it is very hard to get caught up. • The school board authorizes consequences for students who are truant or absent from school without an excuse • Usually detention • All detentions must be served before participating in graduation exercises

7. Mr. Dodgeis required to inform parents after a student has missed 5, 10, and then 15 days of school (excused or unexcused) • After 15 absences, all absences are considered unexcused unless parents provide a written excuse from a doctor of some kind • Mr. Dodgeis required to inform parents if there is a pattern of tardiness on the part of the student—students must be on time at the beginning of the day and to each class • After 3 times being tardy to class, a student will be assigned to after school detention

8. Parents Responsibilities regarding attendance: • Contact the school immediately if a student is going to be absent—if not, the school will call • Provide a written excuse

9. The student’s responsibilities regarding attendance: • Attend all classes and lunch periods unless excused • Students are not permitted to leave the building during the school day without permission—EHS is a closed campus • Provide a written excuse signed by parents upon returning from an absence

10. The teacher’s responsibilities regarding attendance: • Emphasize the importance of good attendance • Develop classroom procedures that reflect the importance of daily assignments, discussion, and tests • Take daily attendance period by period and maintain a record of absences

11. If a student demonstrates a continued pattern of poor school attendance, the school can make a legal referral • The school must provide information and documents proving to the court that the student is habitually truant • The Juvenile Court intake worker must review within 40 days • The Juvenile Court intake worker can refer the case to the county district attorney for action

12. Students are required to have a pass when moving throughout the halls when classes are in session • Passes need to be filled out in full before leaving the room • Only one name is allowed on the pass • The teacher’s name must be on the pass • The office also uses a system of cameras to monitor student movement throughout the building

13. In order for a student to participate in after school activities (sports, forensics, the school play, etc.) he or she must be in attendance all day—students are not allowed to miss first block of the day and then be eligible to participate after school that day. • The only exception is a pre-arranged doctor’s appointment of some kind.

14. School Lockers • The term “locker” includes not only your hall locker but also desks, and other storage areas. • Used only for storing outer clothing, footware, and other school related items. • The locker assigned for the convenience of the student, but is the property of the school district. Lockers should be locked at all times. • The school district retains control of the locker. • The locker—whether is locked or unlocked—can be searched without warning at any time for any reason. • Unauthorized items can be removed and when appropriate, turned over to legal authorities.