As classroom instruction supports students learning, student attendance is expected to be regular and punctual. The school asks parents to make every effort to schedule appointments during non-school hours and not to arrange vacations beyond those indicated by the school calendar. Parents must consider the effects interruptions have on a student’s ability to resume studies and the burden placed on the teacher. Even when assignments are made up they cannot compensate for instruction missed.

“Excessive absence” is being absent 10 days per trimester or a total of 30 days per school year. “Excessive tardiness” is being late 4 times per trimester or a total of 12 times per school year. “Excessive absence or tardiness, even if necessary and excused, may be grounds for decreased credit or disciplinary action.” (Diocesan Handbook)

Absence

Parents are asked to call the school office before 8:00 a.m. if their child(ren) WILL BE ABSENT. Outside of office hours a message may be left on the voice mail. It is only necessary to report the absence on the first day of an illness. If your child is absent due to a temperature please do not return the child to school until he/she has been temperature free for 24 hours.

A student, who returns to school after being absent is required to present a written, dated excuse, signed by a parent or guardian. Absences are considered excused only for medical/dental and court appointments. Requests for missed work/homework should be made before 10:30 a.m. Completed work should be dropped off at the office. Work missed during an absence is the responsibility of the student. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD(REN) TO BE ABSENT UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

Tardiness

The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. with a warning bell at 7:57 a.m. signally students to line up in their designated areas. Students who arrive after 8:00 or after the beginning of any class session are tardy and must obtain a tardy slip from the office to enter class. Excessive tardies may result in:

• Meeting with the parents
• Conduct grade will be lowered
• Detention

Medical Appointments

Should it be necessary to schedule a medical appointment during school hours, the student must bring a note requesting permission to leave the premises. Children are released through the office only. Parents sign out their child(ren) at the office and sign them in upon return. A doctor’s card must be presented for the absence to be excused.

Daily Schedule

The time for Kindergarten is 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Parents give implied consent when their children are on school grounds during hours when there is no supervision. For their safety, students arriving before 7:40 a.m. or remaining after 3:00 p.m. will go to Panther House. Children remaining after 12:45 p.m. on minimum days (when students are dismissed at 12:30 p.m.) will also go to Panther House. Parents will be billed for the service ($2.00 per half hour for each child).

School Sponsored Educational Trips

During the school year students may participate in educational field trips, which are an extension of learning. These trips are a privilege and participation may be revoked. Parents sign a permission slip for their child to attend a field trip and assume total liability. Only the required diocesan form may be used to allow a child to participate in a field trip. Handwritten notes and telephone calls are not acceptable. Students not participating in a field trip are expected to be present at school.

When driving on field trips, parents act as supervisors for the students in their care. Therefore, younger siblings (not of school age) may not accompany parents on such trips. It is also imperative that drivers proceed to and from field trip locations without making additional stops.

People who drive on field trips must be over 25 years of age. They must file with the teacher a copy of their valid drivers license and a copy of the declaration page of their insurance showing a minimum liability on the vehicle of $100,000/$300,000. One seat belt must be available and used by each vehicle occupant. No more than nine persons including the driver may be transported in private/non-chartered vehicles.

Vacations

Absences for vacations beyond those indicated on the school calendar are not excused. SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS PRIOR TO TRIPS AND TEACHERS SHOULD NOT BE ASKED. Assignments whose due dates have been given to the class prior to the absence are to be met by the student, either by submitting the assignment prior to the absence or by making arrangement to make sure the assignment arrives to the teacher on the due date. Upon the day of return, the student will make up tests and quizzes missed during his/her absence.