Attendance Policy
KALAHEO ATTENDANCE POLICY
EXPECTATION: All students are required to attend classes daily and be present in their classes on time. If a student is absent, he/she will submit an excuse note to the administrative office within four days. The excuse note must have the following information: (1) student’s legal name, (2) date(s) of absence, (3) reason for absence, (4) signature of parent and (5) phone contact number. The note must be submitted to the attendance clerk from 7:30 to 7:55 am and morning recess. The student will receive an admit form to indicate to teachers this was an excused absence. All notes are subject to verification by the attendance clerk and vice principals. If a student is tardy, he/she will submit an excuse note to the teacher within four days. After four days, the tardy is non-negotiable.
CONSEQUENCES FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:
First Level
Absence 1 to 3 – Warning and counseling by teacher.
Absence 4 – Referral to Saturday School
Second Level
Absence 5 to 7 – Warning and counseling by teacher/counselor.
Absence 8 – Mandatory parent/alpha Vice Principal conference. Referral for SST by alpha Vice Principal.
Third Level
Absence 10 and over (all day) – Referral to Attorney General Office for Truancy Petition. Mandatory court involvement.
Subsequent absences may lead to this action:
GED screening.
Act 162 – Disciplinary Exception to Compulsory Education.
4140 – Voluntary Exception to Compulsory Education.
CONSEQUENCES FOR UNEXCUSED TARDIES:
First Level
Tardy 1 to 3 – Warning and counseling by teacher.
Tardy 4 – Contact made by teacher to parents. Referral by teacher to alpha Vice Principal for administrative detention.
Second Level
Tardy 5 to 7 – Warning and counseling by teacher.
Tardy 8 – Contact made by teacher to parents. Referral by teacher to alpha Vice Principal for Saturday School
Excused Absence Note: When a student is absent, he/she has four (4) days upon return to school to bring a dated and signed written statement from a parent or guardian which specifies the reason for the absence. A phone number for office verification should be included. This written statement must be presented to the office court window from 7:30 – 7:55 a.m. or during first recess. The office will record the receipt of the note, verify, if necessary, and file the note. The office will give the student a readmit slip that must be signed by his/her teachers which notifies the teacher on the status of the absence and allows make up work to be distributed. Students are required to keep the readmit slips for the quarter to verify excused absences.
Excused Tardy Note: When a student is tardy to the first period of the day, he/she has four (4) days to provide a dated and signed written statement from a parent or guardian which specifies the reason for the tardy. When a
student is tardy to any other period of the day, he/she has four (4) days to provide a dated and signed written statement from a teacher or staff member which specifies the reason for the tardy.
Parent Notification: The automated telephone system will inform parents of student absences for the previous day. Parents must act immediately to rectify the situation if parental action is warranted.
Cuts: Leaving class without permission or leaving class with permission and not returning in a timely manner will be considered a cut. A cut is an unexcused absence and a disciplinary infraction. Appropriate consequences will take place.
Authorized School Activities: A student who participates in school sponsored activities (e.g. field trips, athletic events, ROTC, ASK events) will not be penalized for absences or tardies as a result of participation in these activities provided the student has legitimate authorization. The student will be allowed to make up all missed assignments.
Excused Absences: Examples of excused absence are illness, medical or dental appointments, death in the family or serious personal/family problems. The student with an excused absence will be allowed to make up missed assignments.
Unexcused Absences: Examples of unexcused absence are babysitting, waking up late, missing the bus or transportation problems. The student with an unexcused absence will NOT be allowed to make up missed assignments.
Voluntary Extended Absences: Examples are planned family vacations, college visitations or death/emergency family trips. Permission can be obtained prior to the trip from the Principal of Kalaheo. Parents will write a letter to the principal listing the dates of the trip and the reason for the trip. Principal will then
distribute copies of the letter to the teachers concerned. The student will be allowed to make up missed assignments but the teacher may substitute alternate assignments due to the length of the expected absence.
Disciplinary Suspensions: Out of school suspension for disciplinary infractions will be considered Administrative Leave. The student will be allowed to make up missed assignments. Teachers are notified of all student suspensions.
