2013-2014 HACTC Attendance 'Policy'
HACTC ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE INFORMATION
The relationship between good attendance at school and success in school is well documented. Learning, like most things, is directly related to “time on task”. If a student is not present in the classroom, that moment in time cannot be recovered or made up. The ideas, the continuity, the conversations, the relationship and the teacher’s best effort and opportunity to teach a particular skill or concept is lost if the student is absent. In addition, developing good habits regarding attendance and punctuality will prepare the student for meeting career and job expectations. Therefore, it is the HACTC’s expectation that students and parents will make school attendance a top priority to maximize learning and the opportunities for personal growth available each day at the HACTC.
When a student misses six (6) classes for a semester-long course or twelve (12) classes for a year-long course, an Administrator will call the student’s parents/guardians to request a meeting. At that meeting a plan may be developed to improve the student’s attendance and/or one or more of the following punitive measures will be invoked:
If a student is absent from the HACTC, the student’s parent/guardian MUST call the HACTC on that day to verify the absence and determine if it is Excused or Unexcused.’
When a student has an Excused absence, he/she is allowed to make up the class work - within the parameters set by the teacher - that was missed during the absence. When a student has an Unexcused absence, he/she will not be allowed to make up the class work and will receive a zero (0) for the day’s or days’ work.
However, both Excused and Unexcused absences count towards the six (6) or twelve (12) total for missed classes that invoke a parent meeting, possible plan and/or punitive measures as outlined above.
Waived Absences
The following qualify as waived absences and do not count toward the six (6) or twelve (12) day total for missed classes:
Leave
Absences due to illness, although “Excused”, do count toward the six (6) or twelve (12) limit regardless if accompanied by a doctor’s note. These types of absences are what the six (6) or twelve (12) days are designed to cover. Serious illness resulting in medical leave/hospitalization must be accompanied by a physician’s note and may be waived toward the six (6) or twelve (12) total.
Trips
Students may apply for a waiver to have days waived by writing a request to the HACTC Administration detailing the educational benefits of a trip and submitting it at least ten (10) school days before the trip. If no request is made before the trip, no days will be waived after the trip has taken place.
Tardiness
Students who are late for school or class must report to the HACTC office. If a student is late for more than half the class (65 minutes), misses the class as a result of being tardy, or is late three (3) times to the same class, he/she will be considered absent. This absence will count towards the six (6) and twelve (12) day total.
Early Dismissal
A student who misses a class due to an appointment, nurses dismissal, or other reason will be considered absent from class and the absence will count towards the six (6) and twelve (12) day total.
Truancy
Truancy is defined as being out of school without permission of the parents. If the student is found to be truant, it will result in a one day in-school suspension. If the student is found truant a second time, the parents/guardians will be asked to meet with an HACTC Administrator, resulting in a decision as to whether the student will be allowed to continue at the HACTC.
The relationship between good attendance at school and success in school is well documented. Learning, like most things, is directly related to “time on task”. If a student is not present in the classroom, that moment in time cannot be recovered or made up. The ideas, the continuity, the conversations, the relationship and the teacher’s best effort and opportunity to teach a particular skill or concept is lost if the student is absent. In addition, developing good habits regarding attendance and punctuality will prepare the student for meeting career and job expectations. Therefore, it is the HACTC’s expectation that students and parents will make school attendance a top priority to maximize learning and the opportunities for personal growth available each day at the HACTC.
When a student misses six (6) classes for a semester-long course or twelve (12) classes for a year-long course, an Administrator will call the student’s parents/guardians to request a meeting. At that meeting a plan may be developed to improve the student’s attendance and/or one or more of the following punitive measures will be invoked:
- loss of credit (regardless of the student’s grade in the course)
- grade reduction
- loss of eligibility for a reference or recommendation letter
- loss of eligibility for awards or scholarships
- dismissal from the HACTC (regardless of the student’s grade in the course)
- loss of eligibility to return to the HACTC for a Level II program
If a student is absent from the HACTC, the student’s parent/guardian MUST call the HACTC on that day to verify the absence and determine if it is Excused or Unexcused.’
When a student has an Excused absence, he/she is allowed to make up the class work - within the parameters set by the teacher - that was missed during the absence. When a student has an Unexcused absence, he/she will not be allowed to make up the class work and will receive a zero (0) for the day’s or days’ work.
However, both Excused and Unexcused absences count towards the six (6) or twelve (12) total for missed classes that invoke a parent meeting, possible plan and/or punitive measures as outlined above.
Waived Absences
The following qualify as waived absences and do not count toward the six (6) or twelve (12) day total for missed classes:
- school-sponsored trips
- representing the HACTC or sending school in a school-related activity
- no transportation due to the sending school not being in session
- required attendance at a sending school activity
Leave
Absences due to illness, although “Excused”, do count toward the six (6) or twelve (12) limit regardless if accompanied by a doctor’s note. These types of absences are what the six (6) or twelve (12) days are designed to cover. Serious illness resulting in medical leave/hospitalization must be accompanied by a physician’s note and may be waived toward the six (6) or twelve (12) total.
Trips
Students may apply for a waiver to have days waived by writing a request to the HACTC Administration detailing the educational benefits of a trip and submitting it at least ten (10) school days before the trip. If no request is made before the trip, no days will be waived after the trip has taken place.
Tardiness
Students who are late for school or class must report to the HACTC office. If a student is late for more than half the class (65 minutes), misses the class as a result of being tardy, or is late three (3) times to the same class, he/she will be considered absent. This absence will count towards the six (6) and twelve (12) day total.
Early Dismissal
A student who misses a class due to an appointment, nurses dismissal, or other reason will be considered absent from class and the absence will count towards the six (6) and twelve (12) day total.
Truancy
Truancy is defined as being out of school without permission of the parents. If the student is found to be truant, it will result in a one day in-school suspension. If the student is found truant a second time, the parents/guardians will be asked to meet with an HACTC Administrator, resulting in a decision as to whether the student will be allowed to continue at the HACTC.