Attendance
ABSENCES
NOTICE: The St. Bernard Parish School Board, in accordance with regulations specified by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, allows only seven (7) absences per semester at the high school. This is a state policy. The State does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences; all missed days are counted as an absence. A doctor’s note for an appointment or a one-day illness will be counted as a day absent. Once a high school student reaches the maximum number of absences allowed CREDIT WILL NOT BE GRANTED. Long-term illnesses will receive special consideration through the St. Bernard School Board Office of Child Welfare and Attendance.
The school nurse should be notified of any serious or recurring illness that a student has. This information will be made part of the student’s record. Should such illness occur during school, this information will be available to pass on to medical authorities.
The student is responsible for all class work, homework, assignments or other subject matter presented during an absence. Students should access daily assignments via Canvas for each scheduled course.
It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to see that their child attends school daily. Because student success is linked to regular school attendance, school personnel will attempt to make phone contact with the parent/guardian when students are absent or tardy. Phone calls will be attempted in order to keep the parent/guardian informed of attendance issues.
• Daily automated phone call for absence
• Phone calls from school personnel at the fifth, eighth, and eleventh tardy
• Phone calls from school personnel at the third, fifth, and eighth absence
Parents/guardians may track student attendance using Student Progress Center. If there are any questions concerning absences, the parent/guardian should call the school office.
Authorized holidays can be scheduled by the School Board ONLY. Therefore, holidays for “Senior Day,” “Junior Day,” or “Activity Days” are not in compliance with School Board regulations as approved holidays.
The attendance record of a student is important for academic achievement. In accordance with state regulations high school students must be present a minimum of 83.5 days per semester to receive credit for courses taken. Cases of extended personal illness, emergencies, and/or other extenuating circumstances will be handled on an individual basis through administration in consultation with the Office of Child Welfare and Attendance.
If a student is absent from two consecutive classes, the student shall be considered absent for half a day. If a student checks in at fourth period, the student shall be considered absent for the full day. 10
According to Bulletin 741, Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators the following standards are in effect:
1. School shall administer attendance regulations in accordance with state and locally adopted policies.
2. Students shall be expected to be in attendance every student activity day scheduled by the local education governing authority.
3. In order to be eligible to receive grades, high school students shall be in attendance a minimum of 83.5 days per semester.
4. The only exception to the attendance regulation shall be extenuating circumstances that are verified by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.
5. Students who are verified as meeting extenuating circumstances and therefore eligible to receive grades shall not receive those grades if they are unable to complete make-up work or pass the course.
Students who are under a doctor’s care during a period of an absence should return to school with a note from the doctor indicating the exact dates of the illness. After having shown the note to all the student’s classroom teachers, the student should give the note to the office. It is very important that these notes be submitted to the office within five (5) days. Notes with altered or corrected dates on them will not be accepted.
A student who is not in homeroom or who does not check-in to school through the office is counted absent from school. If a student is absent from school, the student must not be on the campus at any time during the absence or may be subject to disciplinary action.
Students with excessive absences may be required to attend Summer Skills Session.
HOMEROOM TARDY POLICY
ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE ON CAMPUS BY 7:22 A.M. WHICH IS THE TIME OF THE FIRST MORNING BELL. A STUDENT IS TARDY IF NOT IN HOMEROOM WHEN THE SCHOOL TARDY BELL RINGS AT 7:30 A.M.
IF A STUDENT HAS LATE ENTRY, THE STUDENT IS CONSIDERED TARDY IF NOT CHECKED IN AND PRESENT FOR FIRST SCHEDULED CLASS WHEN THAT BELL RINGS.
In accordance with the St. Bernard Parish School Board Policy, on the eleventh tardy in a semester, the student will be subject to disciplinary action.
ATTENDANCE LETTERS
Upon the student’s third absence, a computer-generated attendance letter is mailed home to the parent/guardian. A second letter is generated and mailed home on the student’s seventh absence. The letter is to be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the office the next morning. A referral is sent to Juvenile or Family Court on the student’s fifth tardy and/or absence to school. Counselors and/or school administrators will contact parents/guardians of students with attendance issues. 11
CHECK-IN PROCEDURE
Students should arrive at school by 7:22 A.M. each day. Classes begin each morning at 7:30 A.M. If a student does not get to homeroom by 7:30 A.M., the student must report to the office to check-in. If students do not check-in properly, they cannot attend class, and they are subject to disciplinary action.
CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE
Once on campus, students are not allowed to leave the school grounds during the school day without going through the appropriate check-out procedures.
Parents/guardians may check out students through the Academy Office or Main Campus Reception Desk. Appropriate identification must be presented to check out a student. The students may be allowed to leave with a designated adult, with identification, after contact is made and permission is given by the legal parent/guardian.
In the event that a parent/guardian is unable to come in to check out a student, the student may self check-out. The student must first complete the Self Check-out Form. The student will be allowed to leave only after contact is made and permission is given by the legal parent/guardian. Students are allowed three self check-outs per school year.
If the student is too ill to remain in school, the parent/guardian or designated adult must come to school to check out the student.
In any case, students are allowed to leave the building only after they complete the check-out process.
All school activities are important. On days when the school has a special activity, students are not allowed to check out.
CLASS ATTENDANCE
Attendance is taken daily in each class. Students are not allowed to miss a regularly scheduled class to go to another teacher. Students who are unaccounted for are subject to disciplinary action.
CLASS TARDINESS
At the change of classes students should go immediately to their classrooms so as to be present before the tardy bell rings. Students are allowed five (5) minutes to change classes. A student who is not in class when the bell rings is considered tardy. Students who are tardy to class are subject to disciplinary action.
Students should keep a record of their absences, check-ins, and check-outs in their agenda.
Students with excessive attendance issues may be denied participation in field trips or other school activities.