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Attendance

ABSENTEEISM & ATTENDANCE

Note: All outlined procedures are guidelines only. Individual circumstances will dictate the steps taken for each student.

We expect that every student will strive for full attendance and punctuality in each class as attendance is a key factor to academic rigor and success.

The PVSD Student Attendance Policy (AP-3040) can be viewed on the PVSD website.

Definitions:

  1. Compulsory School Age - The Education Act, 1995, Chapter E-0.2, Part 1: Interpretation, states “compulsory school age” means having attained the age of seven years but not having attained the age of 16 years.
  2. Local Attendance Counsellor - The Education Act, 1995, Section 159(1) states: “Every board of education shall appoint a person or designate a member of its staff to be the local attendance counselor for the School Division”. The designated Superintendent of Education is the Local Attendance Counsellor for the Division.
  3. Chronic Absence - Refers to students missing an extended period of school when excused absences are taken into account. Chronic absence is defined as missing ten percent or more of the school year (e.g., equivalent to 18 days out of a 182 day school year).
  4. Chronic Truancy - Refers to students missing an extended period of school when unexcused absences are taken into account. Chronic truancy is defined at missing ten percent or more of the school year (e.g., equivalent to 18 days out of 182 day school year).

Students are responsible for arriving at class on time and appropriately equipped. To have the absence excused, it is the parents' responsibility to enter attendance in Edsby or contact the school prior to the actual absence. If an absence is to be “excused”, families must record the absence via Edsby or call/email the school directly. Failure to report the excused absence, for any class, results in contact of parents. Generally excusable reasons for absence are illness, a medical appointment, bus cancellation/road conditions or a family emergency. [Students living on their own will be responsible for their own attendance]

Attendance records are legal documents and can be called upon through the courts to provide evidence of where an individual was at a particular time/date.

 

Lumsden High School Attendance Protocols

Note: All outlined procedures are guidelines only. Individual circumstances will dictate the steps taken for each student.

Absences: The student is not in the classroom or other designated instructional area and therefore not under the direct supervision of a teacher. An absence can be recorded as either “Excused” or “Unexcused” and can have a reason and comment attached to it.

  1. Students who are flagged as missing 50% of class time in any given month may be contacted by the attendance committee. If the student is failing the course, they may be removed.
  2. If a student is missing 20% of a class with a grade below 45%, they may be removed from the course.
  3. After 15 course absences and a mark below 40%, a Student Attendance Intervention and Support Plan (APF-3040.1) will be developed by the administrator, student, parent/guardian, in consultation with the attendance team. Failure to comply with the plan will result in the removal from the course.
  4. Students who are in grades 9 or 10 may be placed in a scheduled tutorial or in an alternative placement. Attendance will be taken during this time.

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES: If a student is required to be away for a period either with prior knowledge or because of an emergent situation. If this is the case, there will be consideration of these circumstances when reviewing student attendance. Medical documentation may be requested.

EXTENDED ABSENCES: Extended absences will need to be arranged in advance with administration and the attendance committee. It is not sufficient nor appropriate to only notify classroom teachers. Families need to be aware that absences greater than 15 school days cannot be accommodated by teachers. LHS does not offer distance learning. Attendance is paramount for learning and teachers need to first understand the learning needs of the student before assigning tasks and homework. Teachers may not be able to provide any information or assignments while students are away for an extended period. Upon the student’s return to school, they will meet with administration and the classroom teacher to plan for their return to regular classes.

LATES: The student arrived in the classroom or other designated instructional areas after the final bell has rung and was under the direct supervision of the teacher following that arrival. The student will be asked to sign in at the office where the time of arrival is also recorded.

Concerns with lates shall be addressed on a case-by-case basis and the emphasis shall be on maintaining student academic progress and developing acceptable behavioural habits.

  • 5 lates within a same course /month = ½ hour of time made up over lunch/parent notification
  • 10 cumulative lates/month = 1 hour of time made up over lunch/parent notification /suspend extra-curricular activities for one week
  • Additional lates will result in a parent meeting/attendance contract with administration.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITY: Students are expected to attend school for the full day on the day of a game, competition, performance, or school sponsored activity to be eligible to participate. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of school administration in consultation with the teacher advisor and/or coach. It is vital to discuss schedule conflicts (appointments, etc.) with the coach/teacher advisor well in advance as per the Student Athletic Contract that parents/students signed when beginning at LHS. Any missed class time may result in reduced play time. If a student is deemed ineligible to participate for the entire day or game, students/parents/guardians will be notified.

SUSPENSIONS: Students who receive a suspension will be ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities for one full week following the suspension. Alternate timelines may be established at the discretion of the Administration in consultation with the coach/advisor.

Students writing final assessments are not to be away during the duration of final assessment weeks. We encourage parents/families to honor the final exam schedule.