ATTENDANCE
Regular school attendance is a vital and necessary factor in school achievement. Good attendance is mandatory for all students if proper and wise use of the educational opportunity is to be gained. Student attendance relates to effective teaching and learning; therefore, each enrolled student at Fredonia High School is expected to attend all enrolled classes each scheduled school day during the year. Students may earn 1/2 credit counted towards graduation for each semester course successfully completed. A student must be present a minimum of 90% of the semester, which allows for a maximum of nine (9) absences per semester.
Exceptions: (Not counted in 9-day total)
1. School Sponsored activities.
2. Doctor Ordered Absence-must be covered, in writing by the doctor, describing the reason(s) the student cannot be in school.
3. Homebound-appropriate paperwork on file in the school office.
4. Childhood disease (measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc.)
5. Post Secondary Education Visit-must be verified by an official of the institution visited (1 day).
6. In-School Suspension.
Should parents of a student feel an absence serves an educational purpose or was due to extenuating circumstances and should not be counted towards the student not meeting the minimum requirement for school attendance, an appeal hearing may be requested by the parent or guardian. The parent/guardian and the student will be allowed to present, in writing, any additional information concerning the absence(s) in question to a committee composed of three (3) members of the teaching staff. The reasons given by the parent/guardian for the student’s absences will be documented for the committee and will form the basis of the rationale for withdrawal by the building administration. The decision of the committee will be final unless appealed to the Board of Education.
1. Any time absences become a concern, a faculty member may request a parent/teacher conference, which may result in a student not participating in an activity.
2. Any student not receiving credit due to excessive absences shall be granted a hearing as prescribed under KSA 72-8901-8906 and may present any information he/she feels should be considered. The decision of the building hearing committee may be appealed to the Board of Education.
3. Excused Absence - The only acceptable absence from school is illness or medical appointments. Other absences may be permitted if they are unavoidable or have some educational value. These must be arranged through the building principal in advance of the absence.
4. Unexcused Absence - Unexcused absences will be dealt with on an individual basis with parents involved. Make-up time may be required and student may lose credit for class work missed.
5. Advanced Excused Absence - For absences other than illness, arrangements are to be made at least one day in advance. A form is available in the office. These absences must include approval of the parents. The final decision of whether the absence is excused or unexcused will be the school’s authority. Any absence other than illness not approved in advance will be unexcused.
6. Excessive Absences - Any student who is absent from a class more than nine (9) days in any semester will be considered excessively absent. Parents will be notified when a student has missed six (6) class periods in a semester with an explanation of the implications of nine (9) absences
Any student who is excessively absent will be subject to placement on “pending-credit” status and a hearing with the Attendance Hearing Committee. The Attendance Hearing Committee will be appointed by the principal and shall include the school counselor, principal, assistant principal, at least one of the student’s teachers and one teacher not currently associated with the student in any manner. Parents will be notified by mail of the student’s status and the time and date of the hearing. The purpose of the hearing will be to determine if credit is to be allowed for the class or classes. A student will be placed on “no credit” status when the Committee determines this to be the appropriate response to non-attendance or the student violates a condition of probation required by the Committee for retention of credit.
7. Absent Admits - Parents are requested to call 378-4172 before 8:00 a.m. each day students are to be absent. Students will be required to have an admit to be admitted to any class missed. Students must have a note or phone call to be admitted. Attendance and daily class participation are considered to be a part of the grade. It is important for you to be in class.
8. Activity Attendance - If participating in, or attending an activity outside the school day, a student must attend school at least four Mods the day of the activity. If participating in an activity during school hours, a student must attend school at least four Mods the previous day. Exceptions to these rules may be arranged with the principal in advance.
9. Tardies - Students tardy to 1st and 5th Mods will be sent to the Office for a tardy admit and detention time will be assigned. Teachers will determine tardies for all other periods and assign consequences. Parents will be notified of excessive tardies. Students sent to the Office to get an absence admit will also be given an unexcused tardy.