Attendance policies
Thermopolis High School
PHILOSOPHY
We believe
that student attendance is an essential ingredient in student
success. Thermopolis High School, takes the responsibility to
provide the best possible educational program in a supportive and
challenging learning environment. Each THS student must take
responsibility for his/her attendance and participation in this
educational program. Regular attendance is vitally important to
each student. It can directly affect his/her progress academically
and the development of attitudes and habits for later life. The
more absences a student accumulates, the less he/she can adequately
participate in and understand classroom activities. Learning to
regularly attend and to be on time is a goal which will help
students be successful beyond high school.
GENERAL ATTENDANCE
GUIDELINES:
To successfully complete a class and receive credit, a student
must: a) satisfactorily complete and pass class requirements; b)
have satisfactory attendance as defined by HSCSD #1 Board
policy.
Any student leaving school during school hours must be excused with
either a parental note or phone call. The student must check out in
the attendance office before leaving and upon return. Passes will
be given for admittance into your classes following any
absence.
ATTENDANCE
INFORMATION
Of equal importance is the development and practice of
dependability and punctuality -–two essential skills in the world
of work. Most important, though, is the need to attend in order to
learn from both teachers and classmates. At Thermopolis High
School, students are expected to be in school each day school is in
session.
Students missing more than eight days of any class during one
semester will not be able to earn credit in that class for that
semester. School sponsored activities are the ONLY exception. At
Thermopolis High School, attendance is taken and kept on a
period-by-period system and credit is granted on a per class
basis.
ATTENDANCE
PROCEDURES
1. After five absences in any class, parent/ guardian will be
notified by letter with a hand delivered copy to the student or
mail.
2. After the seventh absence in any class, an attendance conference
will be held with student and Attendance Officer.
3. On the ninth absence, the student will be unable to earn credit
in those classes. Parents may request a due process hearing with
the Attendance Board if they feel extenuating circumstances warrant
a review. Extenuating circumstances include extended illness or
injury, legal obligations, or death in the family. The attendance
board shall consist of the Principal, Counselor, Attendance
Officer, and School nurse if medical reasons are involved. The
student may also invite their advisor. If the student has been
truant any time during the semester, they waive their right to a
hearing, and will receive a no credit.
OUTCOMES OF THE
ATTENDANCE HEARING WILL BE EITHER:
1. Reinstatement of the student under an attendance
contract;
or
2.
Recommendation for loss of credit.
A. The student may remain in class without credit or an alternative
placement will be found.
B. If a student loses credit in several classes, they may be asked
to withdraw or be recommended for expulsion for the rest of the
semester. This is considered "Failure to progress".
TARDIES:
A tardy means that the student is late to class without a note.
After five (5) minutes of class time, the tardy will be considered
an absence. Be sure you are clear on each teacher's start of class
and tardy boundaries.
1. Students that are tardy must return to the attendance officer to
obtain an admittance “admit” slip before being allowed to return to
class.
2. First two tardies will result in a warning from the teacher.
3. Tardy three – attendance officer notifies parent by mail.
4. Tardy four – two hour Saturday School starting at 8:00 A.M.
5. Tardy five – four hour Saturday School starting at 8:00 A.M.
6. Missing Saturday school or subsequent tardy problems will result
in further discipline at the discretion of the
principal.
TRUANCY:
Truancy is being absent from an assigned area at an assigned time
and includes absences not excused by parent/guardian. The following
steps will be taken in dealing with truancy.
1st OFFENSE: One day Saturday School.
2nd OFFENSE: Two days Saturday School.
3rd OFFENSE: Three days Saturday School.
4th OFFENSE: Any student who has four or more unexcused absences
(truancies) from any one class will not be able to successfully
complete and earn a grade in that class. The student may at the
option of the principal, be permitted to remain in the class and
audit it. The administration may, in addition, invoke an
out-of-school suspension as punishment for the truancies and/or
initiate expulsion proceedings to have the student expelled for the
remainder of the semester or school year.
PARENT/STUDENT
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Parents are requested to call the school 864-6531 or 864-6511 on
the day of the absence.
2. If unable to call, a note from the parent must accompany the
student upon returning to school. The note must be turned into the
attendance office no later than 8:30 a.m.
3. If the absence is not excused by the above, it will be handled
as a truancy .
4. Students must check out in the attendance office before leaving
school grounds. The absence will be considered a truancy if the
proper procedure is not followed.
