Introduction (1996) - To benefit from the primary purpose of the school experience, it is essential that each student maintain a regular and punctual daily attendance in allassigned classes. Class attendance is necessary for learning and academic achievement, as well as for developing the habits of punctuality, dependability and self-discipline. Accordingly, class attendance is a relevant objective criterion by which a pupil's course grade may be determined. 'Me purpose of the attendance policy is to help students develop regular and punctual attendance and to maintain academic standards for earning credit.

 Studies of student progress in school show a high correlation between a student's attendance and success at school versus absence and failure. Regular attendance at school is vitally important to each student because it directly affects his/her progress in academics and in his/her development of attitudes and habits for later life. Employers and institutions of higher education requesting attendance records as a part of student application data, weigh such records heavily in their decision regarding employment and/or admission.

 Sault Area High School accepts the responsibility of keeping accurate records of attendance. The responsibility of regular attendance in school rests with the student and most assuredly with the parents. The parents or guardians are a large part of the school's education team and will be regularly informed of any attendance problems.

 OBJECTIVES- The policy and procedures regarding student attendance are designed to accomplish three primary goals:

· To instill a positive attitude between students and parents concerning their school attendance policy.

· To identify and attempt to remedy situations where absences are having an adverse effect on the student's progress.

· To maintain an accurate record of attendance for each student, each hour, which becomes a part of the student's permanent school record.

 GOALS/ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS- Students need to be in class in order to learn material required for graduation. This requirement means that the total number of allowable absences per semester in each class is ten (IO)-, this includes any combination of excused and unexcused absences. A student who exceeds this limit in any class will be referred to the Assistant Principal or Designee that will identify the actions the student needs to take in order to earn credit in the affected classes. If these requirements are not fulfilled, the student may fail to earn credit for the course.

 INCENTIVES- A system of attendance incentives is being set up for those students who have perfect attendance:

· Perfect attendance will be rewarded by special recognition

· Exam exemption (exam grade will be calculated as their quarter mark.) Student may elect to take exam even with perfect attendance.

Perfect attendance means a student who has no tardies or absences (with theexception of school excused absences) in any class for the entire semester and/or year.

 DEFINITION OF ABSENCES- Except for school excused or school imposed absences, all absences will count toward the 10 day limit. Students who skip school or leave school without permission will not receive credit for missed assignments or tests. Because extenuating circumstances may be considered by the Attendance Review Advisory Committee, students are expected to explain their absences as outlined below:

 · Illness or hospitalization verified by a written parental excuse. The school district reserves the right to require corroborative evidence when deemed necessary.

· Serious illness or emergency in the immediate family verified by a written parental excuse.

· Attendance at a funeral or death in the family verified by a written parental excuse.

· Prearranged absences (including college visitations), provided the Assistant Principal is contacted for prior approval, arrangements are made for necessary assignments and materials, and make-up work is completed as arranged between the student and teacher. Arrangements for college visitations must be made with the Guidance Department.

· Religious instruction and/or obligations (arranged in advance) and verified by a written parental excuse. The Michigan Compulsory School Law permits a student to be released from school for religious instruction for not more than two class hours per week, upon the written request of the student's parent/guardian. A form requesting such a release must be filed with the Attendance Office before the student is to be released.

· Professional appointments which cannot be made after school (e.g., dentist, doctor, court appointments) verified by a written parental excuse.

· Family trips which the parent/guardian considers necessary and for which the student is accompanied by the parent/guardian. All family trips must be arranged by completing a "Pre-arranged Absence Form" signed by the parent/guardian and all of the student's teachers. This form must be submitted to the Attendance Office prior to the family trip.

 Absences that will not count toward the 10-day limit: School Excused (Curricular and Extracurricular Absences): School Sponsored Activities: These are field trips, athletic contests, or any other activities that are required for class work or team participation for which a student must miss regularly scheduled classes. Students must have written parental permission for field trips.

 Suspensions: Students suspended from school will be allowed to make up work as follows:

Short-term suspensions (1-10 day suspensions): work will be available in the office upon request by a parent/guardian. All work must be turned in by the second day back to school

Long-term Suspension (over 10 days): During any period in which the student is on a long-term suspension the student may do school work and receive credit, provided the work is turned into the teacher at the same time (or earlier) than students attending the class are required to turn in such work. Parents/guardians are responsible for requesting, obtaining, and turning in all assignments and homework, since the suspended student may not be on school grounds during a suspension.

 Any learning that cannot be done out of school (such as labs, field trips, skill practices, and the like), or any learning that the student chooses not to turn in on time may be reflected in the grades earned.

 No special requests or circumstances may alter any of the above procedures without approval of a building administrator.

 Incomplete Grades - Two weeks following the end of a semester will become a Grade of E.

PROCEDURES:

A. Attendance will be taken hourly and recorded by teachers. The Attendance Office will compile attendance daily and maintain a record of student attendance. The official attendance record will be maintained in the teacher's daily record book and also by the Attendance Office.

 B. Computerized telephone calls will be made to the homes of students to report absences. These calls will take place the day of the absence.

 C. On the third (3) absence, per semester, a letter will be sent to the student home with an update of his or her attendance record and rationale for having good attendance.

 D. On the sixth (6) absence, per semester, counseling and attendance staff will make contact with the parent/guardian to review the attendance record of the student and outline the consequences of future absences. A parent conference is required at this time.

 E. On the ninth (9) absence, per semester, the Assistant Principal will notify parents that the student is in jeopardy of losing credit in the class and/or being referred to the Alternative Education Program in the case where two (2) or more classes are in jeopardy.

 F . On the tenth (10) absence, per semester, a meeting with the Administration will be set up to evaluate the circumstances and make a recommendation regarding the student's situation.

 G. Students and/or parents or guardian may appeal rulings under the regulations as provided for in due process procedures in the student handbook and through the

Attendance Review Advisory Committee.

A. Membership and Purpose: The Attendance Review Advisory Committee will consist of a high school administrator (chairperson), a counselor, and not less than three teachers. The purpose of the Attendance Review Advisory-Committee is to review the case and submit a recommendation to the administrator who serves as the committee's chairperson.

B. Procedures: A parent or guardian will be expected to accompany the student to a meeting with the Attendance Review Committee where a decision will be made concerning the student. The decision could result in the student being placed on an attendance contract for the remainder of the academic year, the student's schedule could be reduced to only include academic core classes, the student could be transferred to the alternative education program in order to earn credit and return to the high school, or any other acceptable solution.

C. Request for Re-evaluation: A second request or any subsequent requests to meet with the Attendance Review Committee must be in writing, signed by the student and parent/guardian, and must include all pertinent information and reasons for such a meeting. The chairperson will determine if meeting with the Attendance Review Advisory Committee is appropriate.

Absence #1O Student must meet with attendance review advisory committee within 10 days of the tenth absence

 5 days after Appeal application form submitted to the attendance review advisory committee

 7 days after Attendance review advisory committee meets to review student's appeal application form

10 days after Attendance review advisory committee meets with student and/or parent/guardian

 Day of meeting Committee chair verbally informs student or parent/guardian of decision

 2 days after meeting Attendance review advisory committee renders written decision which is sent to the parent/guardian

 2 days after meeting Request for re-evaluation must be filed

 2 days after Attendance review advisory committee chairperson determines whether committee meeting is appropriate

When a student is absent, it is IMPORTANT that the student complete make-up assignments. It is the student's responsibility to obtain his/her make-up work from the teacher one day after returning to school. The teacher can set the date when the make-up is due. If the student receives an ABSENCE because of a suspension, he/she has the right to make up work, tests or quizzes. Students who are caught skipping will forfeit their right to do make-up work or take an exam or quiz.

It is the District's mission to prepare students to enter the world of work, therefore, the Board of Education directs that each course of study include as part of its learning accomplishments that students can demonstrate their willingness and ability to be punctual. Furthermore, as an institution of higher learning, the staff at the high school fully concurs with the District's mission. We believe it is important to emphasize a student's responsibility in being prompt and dependable, therefore, each classroom teacher will have a tardy policy with consequences for student tardies.

 If a student continues to be tardy after the individual teacher has followed the classroom policy and the consequences have not improved the individual's tardiness, a referral for insubordination will be sent to the administration following the 7th tardy per marking period.

Consequences for the insubordination referral will be a one-day suspension and a parent/student/administrator conference will take place when the student returns.

 We appreciate the encouragement and support of the parents and guardian s of our high school students. Together, we can instill the ethics and values necessary to help them succeed in their future endeavors.

 NOTE: If a student arrives late to class with a pass due to some legitimate reason the tardy will not count towards the student. Absence due to tardiness over five (5) minutes will count towards the ten (10) day limit.

 The procedure for signing out will be:

 1. Students must report to the principal's office before they leave the building.

 2. Students will be allowed to sign out if:

  (a) the parent/guardian has called the office in advance.

(b) the parent/guardian comes into the office when they wish to pick up the student.

(c) the student has a note from a parent/guardian with a phone number on the note so the school could contact the parent/guardian to verify the note.

(d) the student has received permission from the principal or assistant principal.

 3. Students will be disciplined if they leave the school and do not sign out. A call from a parent/guardian after the student has left the building will not be accepted.

 4. Leaving class: If a student leaves class early with office permission, no absence will be counted against them for that hour.

Detention can be assigned by the principal or any teacher. When a teacher assigns the detention, the student must report to the teacher's classroom at the appointed time. When detained by a principal, the student will report to the main office. Students will bring study material and work quietly. Failure to report can result in additional detention or suspension.

Students will be given twenty-four (24) hours' notice of detention obligations. Bus students must take care of their own travel arrangements.

Courses meeting one hour per day, five (5) days a week for one year receive one (1.0) credit, and for one semester receive one-half (0.5) credit.

In order to earn a diploma from Sault Area High School you must earn a total of twenty-two (22) credits.

 The following subjects are required:

1. Three and one-half (3 1/2) credits of English

2. Two (2.0) credits of science

· That one (1.0) credit be required from general science, physical science or biology.

· That one (1.0) additional credit be required and may be selected from any of the following departmental offerings: soil science, plant science, animal science, conservation, general science, physical science, biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, and advanced placement chemistry.

3. Two (2.0) credits of math

4. One (1.0) credit of physical education One-half (0.5) credit of health

5. Three (3.0) credits in social studies

· That one (1.0) credit shall be required in United States History.

· That one-half (0. 5) credit shall be required in government, and one-half

(0.5) credit be required from the following: psychology, humanities, or AP history.

6. One (1.0) credit in fine arts technology preparation (art, music, woodshop, drafting, metals, cooking, sewing, keyboarding). Refer to the Course Offerings Booklet for descriptions of these courses.

7. One-half (0. 5) credit in computer education. (May be completed at the junior high level.)

There will be no schedule changes after the beginning of a semester, Students wishing to make a schedule change must make an appointment with their counselor prior to this time.

Students must obtain administrative or counselor approval to withdraw from a class. Students may withdraw from a class without penalty through the tenth week of a semester, Class withdrawal will be indicated on the transcript by a "W' and the current grade earned. The withdrawal grade will not be computed into the student's G.P.A. Students withdrawing from a class after the tenth week of the semester will receive a "W/E" which will be computed into their G.P.A. and also be reflected on their transcript.

A five dollar ($5.00) fee will be charged for transcripts or health records requested through the Guidance Office.

There are four honor rolls each year, one for each nine-week marking period. To attain honor roll status a student must achieve a B (3 point) average for the marking period.

 1. The average is to be determined on a scale of an A (4 points), B (3 points), C (2 points), D (I points), E (O points).

2. A student cannot have a grade of D or lower in any subject.

3. Students must carry at least four classes to be eligible. These may not include office or teacher assistant, hall monitor or work experience.

4. Co-op is counted as one class, regardless of the number of hours involved. Therefore, a student enrolled in co-op must carry three other subjects to be eligible.

5. Multi-hour programs such as vocational programs, receive credit for each hour.