Template Attendance Policy

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I. Purpose and Importance of Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance is a critical component of academic success. Our educational program is built on daily interactions between students and teachers. Participation in classroom activities such as discussions, group projects, lectures, and assessments cannot be fully replicated through make-up work. Establishing good attendance habits promotes student

responsibility, citizenship, and future workplace readiness.

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II. Daily Attendance Requirements

• Students are expected to attend school every scheduled school day, from the first bell to dismissal.

• If a student will be absent, a parent or guardian must notify the school by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. If no contact is made, the school will attempt to call home as part of its obligation under the state Missing Child Law.

• A written excuse (note, email, or provider documentation) explaining the reason for absence must be submitted to the school within 48–72 hours of the student’s return. Failure to do so may result in the absence being marked unexcused.

• Students arriving after the start of the school day must report to the office to sign in and receive a tardy slip before going to class.

• Students must attend at least half of the school day to be eligible to participate in any after-school or weekend extracurricular activities unless prior approval is granted by school administration.

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III. Excused Absences

An absence is considered excused if it falls under one of the following categories:

1. Personal Illness (A doctor’s note may be required for extended absences or after reaching a cumulative hourly threshold.)

2. Illness or Death in the Immediate Family

3. Medical or Dental Appointments (Must be verified with documentation on provider letterhead.)

4. Court Appointments (With documentation from the court.)

5. Religious Holidays or Observances

6. Approved College or Military Visits (Limit of 2 days per high school career; must be pre-approved.)

7. Pre-Approved Vacations or Emergencies (Form must be submitted at least 3 school days in advance.)

8. Quarantine or Epidemic Closures (As directed by medical or public health authorities)

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Important: Absences not on this list may be considered unexcused unless deemed otherwise by the school administrator.

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IV. Unexcused Absences

Absences that do not meet the criteria listed above—or are not properly documented—will be considered unexcused. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Oversleeping

• Transportation issues (e.g., missed bus, car trouble)

• Personal errands or shopping

• Vacations not pre-approved

• Leaving school without permission

• Arriving excessively late without a valid reason

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Consequences of unexcused absences may include:

• No credit for missed work or tests

• Detention or Friday School

• Truancy referral after repeated offenses

• Loss of driving privileges (per Ohio Revised Code)

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V. Medical Status

• Once a student accumulates 65 hours of absence (excused or unexcused), the student will be placed on Medical Status.

• Any additional absences must be documented by a licensed physician, court official, or funeral home (for bereavement).

• Parent notes will no longer be accepted as sole documentation.

• Failure to provide valid documentation will result in the absence being marked unexcused, and may lead to disciplinary or academic consequences.

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VI. Tardiness

• A student is tardy if not in class when the bell rings.

• Any student arriving after the official start time must sign in at the office.

• Students are allowed up to 3 tardies without discipline. After that:

  • 4th tardy: Written warning or parent call

  • 5th and each 5th thereafter: Assigned Friday School or detention

  • Excessive tardiness: May lead to in-school suspension or loss of privileges

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Tardies to individual class periods throughout the day are tracked and may result in similar consequences as tardiness to school.

VII. Truancy

Truancy is defined by state law as unexcused absences beyond certain thresholds:

• 30+ consecutive hours

• 42+ hours in a month

• 72+ hours in a school year

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Truancy interventions may include:

• Development of a Truancy Intervention Plan

• Assignment of an Absence Intervention Team

• Parental meetings or counseling referrals

• Legal referral to juvenile court if improvement is not shown within 61 days of plan implementation

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VIII. Pre-Approved Absences & Vacations

• Pre-approved absences for travel, hunting, family needs, or religious events must be submitted at least 3 days in advance.

• The Pre-Approved Absence Form is available in the main office or online.

• Teachers will not be expected to provide early instruction. All work must be completed and submitted upon return.

• Excessive absences due to vacation may negatively affect academic standing.

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Important: Vacations during exam weeks or state testing windows are not approved.

 

IX. College and Military Visits

• Juniors and Seniors may be granted up to 2 excused days to visit colleges or military recruiters.

• Visits must be pre-approved using the appropriate form and must include official verification (on college/military letterhead) upon return.

• Failure to submit verification may result in an unexcused absence.

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X. Leaving School During the Day

• Students needing to leave school early must submit a parent note to the office before the first period.

• Students must sign out in the office before leaving campus.

• If a note was not submitted, verbal parental confirmation by phone is required before release.

• Leaving school without following these procedures will be considered truancy and may result in disciplinary action.

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XI. Illness During the School Day

• If a student becomes ill during the school day, they must report to the school nurse or office.

• The school will notify parents if the student needs to go home.

• Students may not leave campus without proper check-out procedures, even for illness.

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XII. Loss of Driving Privileges

Under Ohio law, schools are required to report the following to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Juvenile Court:

1. Habitual truancy

2. Withdrawal from school under age 18 without lawful excuse

3. Drug-related suspensions or expulsions

This may result in suspension of the student’s driver’s license or denial of a driving permit.

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