Attendance Policy
VISTA SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY
1. Purpose:
The Vista School Administration makes every effort to be in compliance with State law and work together with Fifth District Juvenile Court and the city of Ivins Police Department to encourage the regular attendance of all Vista School students. We believe this to be in the best interest of the students and the community. The Vista School Administration, together with the Vista School Board of Directors, is committed to work in harmony with parents and to assist them with their responsibility to have their children in attendance at school.
2. Policy:When a student is tardy the following will occur:
1st Infraction - Written warning
2nd Infraction - Detention*
3rd Infraction - Detention*
4th Infraction - Office Referral/Parent meeting with administration, detention*
5th Infraction -Office Referral/ detention*
6th Infraction - Suspension
2.1. The "State Compulsory Education Requirements" (Utah Code, Section
53A-11-101) Directs parents and schools as follows:
2.1.1. A person having control of a minor, who has reached the age of six years, but has not reached the age of eighteen years, shall send the minor to a public or regularly established private school during the school year of the District in which the minor resides.
2.1.2. It is a misdemeanor for a person having control of a minor under subsection (1) to willfully fail to comply with the requirements of chapter 53A-11-101, part A.
2.1.3. A local board of education shall report cases of willful noncompliance to the appropriate city, county, or district attorney.
2.2. The law allows parents of students enrolled in public schools to excuse their student from school, but only when the student is absent for a "legitimate or valid reason" such as illness or family emergency. Fifth District Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over all juveniles residing in Washington County. It is the expectation of the court that students within its jurisdiction will be in regular attendance at the school in which they are enrolled. The court is obligated to adjudicate truancy matters for those students who are habitually absent without allowable excuse. To accomplish this goal, the court requires that public school officials refer to court those students who are in violation of the compulsory education requirements. Prior to referral, the court expects parents and schools to demonstrate earnest and persistent effort to deter truant behavior. In order for the court to adjudicate truancy, the court requires that schools have attendance policies, which enforce consequences for truant behavior and teach students that such behavior is illegal and unacceptable.
2.3. Evidence of reasons for granting an exception, to 2.2, must be sufficient to satisfy school officials and/or the local board.
2.4. For purposes of Teachers Disclosures, Attendance Review Board, or Juvenile Court referrals, this policy assumes that any absences beyond five (5) days in a Quarter are excessive whether parent excused, truant or unexcused.
2.5. Restitution shall accrue hour per hour under any schedule with appropriate costs.
3. Procedures for Elementary Schools.
3.1. Definition: Educational Neglect. Educational neglect is defined as the willful failure or refusal of parents or caretakers to make a good faith effort to ensure that a child receives an appropriate education, after receiving notice that the child has been frequently absent from school without good cause. Examples would include a parent who consistently fails to get the child up on time, dressed, etc., so the child can get to school; a parent who keeps a child home to baby sit or provide the parent with company. The situation is defined as educational neglect only when the child's behavior is under the parent's control. This would usually involve a child under the age of 10. With older children, the situation might be more accurately defined as truancy. In such a case, the child might refuse to get up, get dressed, etc., despite the parent's efforts; or the child might leave the house presumably to go to school, and go somewhere else.
3.2. In accordance with the "State Compulsory Education Requirements" (Utah Code, Section 53A-11-101), and to help provide elementary age students with the best opportunities for learning, the following policy will apply at Vista School.
3.3. In order to ensure that a specific procedure is followed; a checklist that clearly describes each step in the process will be used for each instance of excessive absence. (See attachment 1.) The agenda described in the checklist is designed to help the school staff work with parents in providing a meaningful and consistent academic program for the child. The checklist should also be used to document earnest and persistent effort on the part of the school to provide a meaningful educational program.
3.4. Elementary school principals are encouraged to work closely with parents in allowing for students to participate in family activities that may require short absences from school. Such options as educational leave may be appropriate and should be considered in such circumstances.
3.5. Attendance points:
T – Tardy .5
E/A – Exempt absence 0
P – Parent Excused (First 5=0) 1 (per upon reaching 6)
U – Parent Call Unexcused 1
X - Unexcused absence 1
S - Truant 1
R - Restitution -1 (1 unexcused absence replaced)
3.6. When a student has accumulated five (5) attendance points during the school year, the school will contact parents by telephone, mail, or in person. (See attachment 2)
3.7. When a student has accumulated ten (10) attendance points during the school year, the school will contact the parents to set up a meeting. A letter will be sent to arrange and confirm the meeting time and place. (See attachment 3) School representatives should find what the explanation is for the lack of the attendance. The person(s) having this conversation must make notes or otherwise document specifically what the parent(s) said. Any or all of the following steps may be taken at the meeting.
3.7.1 Discuss the reason for excessive absences and/or tardiness.
3.7.2. Discuss make-up work.
3.7.3. Request doctor's verification with specific dates for absences and/or tardiness due to illness
3.7.4. Develop a contract with parents and student.
If prior arrangements for the educational needs of the student were made and/or the absences and/or tardiness were determined, by the principal to be reasonable a meeting and follow-up letter may not be necessary at this time.
3.8. If the parent does not attend the meeting, or if the results from the meeting with the parents do not resolve the problem and the student accumulates fifteen (15) total attendance points, a certified letter will be sent home. The certified letter must: (1) describe the problem, (2) describe necessary corrective action, (3) explain truancy mediation options, and (4) inform the parent(s) that if the situation is not corrected a referral will be submitted to the juvenile court for truancy and/or educational neglect. (See attachment 4) A copy of this letter, along with a copy of the completed checklist, will be forwarded to the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education. If a student accumulates twenty (20) attendance points, in compliance with Utah Code, Section 53A-11-101, the school will send a referral to the Washington County Attorney's office for truancy or educational neglect. Officers of the juvenile court will immediately take appropriate action.
4. Procedures for Intermediate Schools.
4.1. Rationale: In order to establish a transition from the elementary procedures (sec. 3) to the secondary consequences that fit the unique needs of Intermediate School students. This will prepare students for the secondary policy that requires restitution that effects earned credits in High School.
4.2. In accordance with the "State Compulsory Education Requirements" (Utah Code, Section 53A-11-101) and to help provide intermediate age students with the best opportunities for learning, the following policy will apply at Vista School.
4.3. In order to ensure that a specific procedure is followed; a checklist that clearly describes each step in the process will be used for each instance of excessive absence. The agenda described in the checklist is designed to help the school staff work with parents in providing a meaningful and consistent academic program for the child. The checklist should also be used to document earnest and persistent effort on the part of the school to provide a meaningful educational program.
4.3.1. The point system established for the secondary schools will apply to intermediate schools.
T – Tardy .25
E/A – Exempt absence 0
P – Parent Excused (First 5=0) 1 (per upon reaching 6)
U – Parent Call Unexcused 1
X - Unexcused absence 1
S - Truant 1
R - Restitution -1 (1 unexcused absence replaced)
4.3.2. When a student has accumulated five (5) attendance points during the quarter, the school will contact parents by telephone, mail, or in person.
4.3.3. When a student has accumulated eight (8) attendance points during the quarter, the school will conduct a phone conversation, face-to-face conference, or home visit with the parents. The person having this conversation must document it.
4.3.4. When a student has accumulated ten (10) attendance points during the quarter the school will:
4.3.4.1. Discuss the reason for excessive absences and/or tardiness.
4.3.4.2. Discuss make-up work.
4.3.4.3. Request doctor's verification with specific dates for absences due to illness
4.3.4.4. Develop a contract with parents and student. Contract may include consequences such as: work hours, court mediation, youth court, or referral to DCSF.
4.7. If the parent does not attend the meeting, or if the results from the meeting with the parents do not resolve the problem and the student does not meet the requirements of the contract then a referral will be made to juvenile court for truancy or educational neglect.
4.8. Truancy (Intermediate): Truancy will result in one hour of restitution for every class missed. Students are not allowed to make up work missed. Restitution will be completed during a time set aside on a scheduled Saturday morning, and they will be charged $5 per truancy.
Definitions:
Tardy: A tardy is defined as reporting to class after the bell has sounded to start class (no more than 15 minutes). A parent can excuse a tardy when an emergency situation results in a student arriving at school late. A student may not be excused for tardiness between classes.
Tardy rationale: Tardiness not only hinders a student's ability to profit from instruction at the beginning of class, but they interrupt the work of the other students who made the effort to be on time. In addition, tardy students are usually in the hallways interrupting other classes and the efforts of other students/friends to be to class on time. Punctual students perform better in school.
Excused tardiness can impact learning. They will be reported and reviewed by the school for impact. Teachers will include individual classroom policies addressing seat-time in their disclosure statements.
Tardy policy: Vista School is required to establish a uniform tardy policy. Individual teachers are encouraged to develop academic incentives for promptness. Suggestions for consideration include bell-ringer activities, participation points, dropping an assignment, etc.
It is the teacher's responsibility to properly record tardiness in SIS and step out into the hall before class to encourage students to go to class on time.
It is the responsibility of the student and parents to monitor tardiness with SIS2000+, through Progress Reports, and by communication with the teacher.
Excessive tardiness may result in any or all of the following: 1) teacher/student meeting 2) a teacher/student/parent meeting, or 3) a meeting with an administrator.
Absence: An absence is defined as any time a student is not in attendance in the classroom to which he or she has been assigned (within the first 15 minutes). Any type of absenteeism (other than an exempt absence) beyond five (5) days in a Quarter will be considered excessive, and may result in any or all of the following: 1) a meeting with an administrator 2) a referral to the Attendance Review Committee 3) a referral to Juvenile Court.
Incentive. Teachers are expected to acknowledge and reward appropriate behavior in the area of attendance.
There are three (3) categories of absences:
Parent excused absence. An absence excused by a parent or legal guardian within the time frame allowed by policy. In order for an absence to be considered a parent excused absence, the school must be notified by the parent prior to the absence, the day of the absence, or up to two (2) days following the absence. Work missed due to an excused absence may be made up within a reasonable time frame at the teacher's discretion (usually within 3-10 days). Please note: the law defines the reason for parents to excuse students as a "legitimate or valid reason, such as illness or family emergency."
Excessive excused absences: Absences become excessive when a total of excused absences exceed five (5) days in an individual class during a Quarter (see Consequences)
Unexcused absence: Unexcused absence is any absence that is not excused in accordance with the definition for an excused absence. An unexcused absence is counted as one (1) point for restitution purposes. Work missed may not be made up. (Appeal process is described in 3.6.)
Unexcused absences are considered a violation of this policy and will initiate restitution.
Truancy: If a student is absent from his/her assigned class, without parental or school knowledge, and the absence does not meet the standard of an excused or exempt absence, that student is considered to be truant.
Exempt absence: Absences that qualify under School policy as (a) educational travel, (b) school-related activity, (c) homebound absence, (d) absence due to chronic illness, or (e) court/detention absences are not counted as an absence if the school receives the required notification. Students who are given exempt absence status are responsible for completion of the work missed while they were absent. Exempt absence status will not be considered towards excessive absenteeism.
Educational travel: Travel with an educational component, such as visits to museums, historical sites, education centers, wildlife preserves, or cultural events, etc. will be considered educational travel. Seniors making campus visits to colleges where they are considering enrollment would also qualify for educational travel (five maximum). Students excused for "Educational Travel" will not be counted as absent if they comply with the following requirements:
Satisfactory arrangements are made with school administration and teachers prior to the absence.
An Educational Travel form is filled out and signed by the student, parent, administrator, and each of the student's teachers.
Appropriate assignments related to the travel have been completed and turned in.
It is recommended to parents that educational travel not be used more than once in a school year.
School-related activity: Students excused with administrative approval to participate in a school-related activity will not be counted as absent. School administrators will make a conscientious effort to minimize the number of school-excused absences.
Homebound absence: Students excused for homebound absences will not be counted as absent. In order to qualify for homebound absence a student must meet all of the following criteria:
A student must be absent for health-related reasons for a period of five (5) or more consecutive days. (In the case of a student who is undergoing surgery or has been injured in an accident, qualification for homebound is immediate.) Every effort should be made to get missed work and complete it during the extended absence. However, if that is not possible students will be responsible to make up the work they missed during their absence on their return.
A medical doctor must verify the illness or accident by (MD)
(Utah Code 53A-11-102(1)(a)(iii))
When recovery from illness or accident exceeds five (5) school days, a student is eligible to have homework collected for the parent/guardian to pick up or an alternative educational program will be developed.
Chronic illness: Chronic health problems may or may not interfere with attendance at school and learning in the classroom. It is extremely important that parents notify the school concerning health-related problems that their students may have. Chronic illness would include but not be limited to: diabetes, asthma, and severe allergies. If the chronic illness hinders a student's attendance, the parent is invited to meet with a school administrator to formulate an individual attendance plan that will meet the student's needs. It is the responsibility of the parent to schedule such a meeting and to provide verification of the illness from a medical doctor (MD).
Court or detention will be considered an exempt absence if student can demonstrate required participation.
Consequences
Rationale: All absences impact instructional time, learning, and participation.
Point System: All tardiness and absences will be assigned the following marks and points:
T – Tardy .5 (Elementary) .25 (Intermediate)
E/A – Exempt absence 0
P – Parent Excused (First 5=0) 1 (per upon reaching 6)
U – Parent Call Unexcused 1
X - Unexcused absence 1
S - Truant 1
R - Restitution -1 (1 unexcused absence replaced)
Excessive Parent Excused Absences: Excessive parent excused absences are defined as absences totaling more than Five (5). Whether parent excused or unexcused, absences have a negative impact on student learning. Academic instructional time is critical to student learning. Once a student reaches six (6) excused absences in a class, it is recommended that a teacher/student meeting be held. Once a student reaches ten (10) excused absences it will be deemed excessive and credit may be withheld.
Unexcused Absence: An unexcused absence is any absence that is not excused by the parent or guardian and will count as one (1) point in regard to required restitution. Course work cannot be made up, which may affect the academic grade. Unexcused absences totaling 3 requires a mandatory meeting with administration to consider consequences. Upon reaching 5 unexcused absences credit will be withheld.
Truant: A truant will count as one (1) point in regard to required restitution and cannot be excused by a parent or guardian. Course work cannot be made up which may affect the academic grade. Truancy totaling 3 requires a mandatory meeting with administration to consider consequences. Upon reaching 5 Truancies credit will be withheld.
No Grades: Six (6) points in a class period during the same term, will result in the withholding of the grade and the credit for that class period. A NG (No Grade) for that class period will appear on the next report card. The grade and credit will be restored when restitution is complete. A grade withheld does not influence the Grade Point Average, however, if not restored; it will result in the loss of credit required for graduation. Graduation credit lost due to this policy will require make-up classes.
Resolving minor's school attendance problems: Efforts of the school and/or Board shall include, as reasonably feasible:
Counseling by school authorities.
A written request for parental support in securing regular attendance by the minor, delivered by certified mail, containing notice of the requirements of this section (53A-11-101 to 106) and stating that refusal to respond to the notice is a class B misdemeanor.
At least one meeting with the minor and the parents, i.e., the School Administration
Any necessary adjustment to the curriculum and schedule to meet special needs of the minor.
Monitoring school attendance of the minor for a period not to exceed 30 days.
In addition, the School Administration and/or Board may enlist the assistance of community and law enforcement agencies as appropriate and reasonably feasible.
If attendance problems are not resolved, the Administration shall refer the offender to the Fifth District Juvenile court as a habitual truant.
Parent Notification.
The first time a student accumulates five (5) points or the equivalent in any single class period during a Quarter the parent will be notified by phone or letter. Parents are encouraged to monitor their student's attendance from this notification forward, and are required to check student attendance on SIS and are invited to call the attendance secretary at the school as often as necessary to help them with this task. No first-time notification for NG’s earned in other class periods in the same term will be made. This first-time notification procedure will be repeated each term of the school year.
Parents will be notified in writing the first time their student earns an NG (a Quarter report card is considered notification of the NG). It is the responsibility of the parent from that time on to contact the attendance secretary at the school for information regarding subsequently withheld grades and credit. This procedure will also be repeated each term. Restitution for a grade withheld may begin immediately following notification. In fact, students are encouraged to complete restitution prior to the end of term in which the grade withheld occurred. Restitution classes cannot be attended in advance of notification of an NG.
A parent, teacher, or a school administrator may request a conference to discuss the attendance of a student whom they deem to have an excessive number of absences. The proposed conference would consider steps that might be taken to improve attendance. A request for such a conference would precede a referral to juvenile court for truancy.
Restitution.
Restitution requirements: Attendance at "Restitution Classes" will be required in order to earn the release of grades and credit withheld. Restitution shall accrue hour for hour under any schedule. There will be a charge for each restitution hour. This charge will help to cover the cost of operating the restitution class. When points in a class above the allowable five (5) have been removed, the academic grade will be restored and credit issued. (Revised 11-11-07;)
Time limit for restitution: As outlined in Section 3.3 of the parent notification section above, students are encouraged to complete restitution prior to the end of term in which the grade withheld occurred. However, students will have eight weeks of the term following the one in which a grade was withheld to complete the requirements for restitution. If restitution is not completed in the time provided by the policy all No Grades (NG) will remain on the student record and credit for the term in that class will be lost.
Restitution classes: Restitution classes will be held at Vista School. The classes will be conducted outside the regular school day and may be scheduled for Saturdays, summers, or night school. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to check with the school regarding the schedule for restitution classes. Restitution classes will be conducted as study halls. Students will be required to engage in some academic pursuit. Students who do not come with meaningful schoolwork will not be admitted. Students who are late will be turned away. Vista School will offer a maximum of 40 hours of restitution classes per Quarter. Students will be required to enroll in restitution classes at the school where the points were acquired unless administrative arrangements are made by the principal.
Appeal process.
Students who have a NG as a result of this policy and feel that there are extenuating circumstances, which should be considered, are invited to request, in writing, that the grade be restored. Requests explaining the circumstances should be signed by the student and the parent or guardian and delivered to an administrator or Attendance Review Committee for consideration. Such appeals should be made within the first 3 weeks of term immediately following the receipt of the No Grade (NG). The School Administration will consider all appeals.
The Vista School Board will, also, participate in "due process." A student and his/her parent may appeal the decision of the Attendance Review Committee to the principal. They may, also, appeal the principal's decision by requesting (in writing through the Board Chairman) a special hearing before a full School Board Committee.
Dissemination.
This policy is available in its entirety in the Vista School office. A summary of this policy will, also, be published in student registration materials; student, and employee handbooks; and other appropriate school publications as directed by the Principal.
1. Purpose:
The Vista School Administration makes every effort to be in compliance with State law and work together with Fifth District Juvenile Court and the city of Ivins Police Department to encourage the regular attendance of all Vista School students. We believe this to be in the best interest of the students and the community. The Vista School Administration, together with the Vista School Board of Directors, is committed to work in harmony with parents and to assist them with their responsibility to have their children in attendance at school.
2. Policy:When a student is tardy the following will occur:
1st Infraction - Written warning
2nd Infraction - Detention*
3rd Infraction - Detention*
4th Infraction - Office Referral/Parent meeting with administration, detention*
5th Infraction -Office Referral/ detention*
6th Infraction - Suspension
2.1. The "State Compulsory Education Requirements" (Utah Code, Section
53A-11-101) Directs parents and schools as follows:
2.1.1. A person having control of a minor, who has reached the age of six years, but has not reached the age of eighteen years, shall send the minor to a public or regularly established private school during the school year of the District in which the minor resides.
2.1.2. It is a misdemeanor for a person having control of a minor under subsection (1) to willfully fail to comply with the requirements of chapter 53A-11-101, part A.
2.1.3. A local board of education shall report cases of willful noncompliance to the appropriate city, county, or district attorney.
2.2. The law allows parents of students enrolled in public schools to excuse their student from school, but only when the student is absent for a "legitimate or valid reason" such as illness or family emergency. Fifth District Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over all juveniles residing in Washington County. It is the expectation of the court that students within its jurisdiction will be in regular attendance at the school in which they are enrolled. The court is obligated to adjudicate truancy matters for those students who are habitually absent without allowable excuse. To accomplish this goal, the court requires that public school officials refer to court those students who are in violation of the compulsory education requirements. Prior to referral, the court expects parents and schools to demonstrate earnest and persistent effort to deter truant behavior. In order for the court to adjudicate truancy, the court requires that schools have attendance policies, which enforce consequences for truant behavior and teach students that such behavior is illegal and unacceptable.
2.3. Evidence of reasons for granting an exception, to 2.2, must be sufficient to satisfy school officials and/or the local board.
2.4. For purposes of Teachers Disclosures, Attendance Review Board, or Juvenile Court referrals, this policy assumes that any absences beyond five (5) days in a Quarter are excessive whether parent excused, truant or unexcused.
2.5. Restitution shall accrue hour per hour under any schedule with appropriate costs.
3. Procedures for Elementary Schools.
3.1. Definition: Educational Neglect. Educational neglect is defined as the willful failure or refusal of parents or caretakers to make a good faith effort to ensure that a child receives an appropriate education, after receiving notice that the child has been frequently absent from school without good cause. Examples would include a parent who consistently fails to get the child up on time, dressed, etc., so the child can get to school; a parent who keeps a child home to baby sit or provide the parent with company. The situation is defined as educational neglect only when the child's behavior is under the parent's control. This would usually involve a child under the age of 10. With older children, the situation might be more accurately defined as truancy. In such a case, the child might refuse to get up, get dressed, etc., despite the parent's efforts; or the child might leave the house presumably to go to school, and go somewhere else.
3.2. In accordance with the "State Compulsory Education Requirements" (Utah Code, Section 53A-11-101), and to help provide elementary age students with the best opportunities for learning, the following policy will apply at Vista School.
3.3. In order to ensure that a specific procedure is followed; a checklist that clearly describes each step in the process will be used for each instance of excessive absence. (See attachment 1.) The agenda described in the checklist is designed to help the school staff work with parents in providing a meaningful and consistent academic program for the child. The checklist should also be used to document earnest and persistent effort on the part of the school to provide a meaningful educational program.
3.4. Elementary school principals are encouraged to work closely with parents in allowing for students to participate in family activities that may require short absences from school. Such options as educational leave may be appropriate and should be considered in such circumstances.
3.5. Attendance points:
T – Tardy .5
E/A – Exempt absence 0
P – Parent Excused (First 5=0) 1 (per upon reaching 6)
U – Parent Call Unexcused 1
X - Unexcused absence 1
S - Truant 1
R - Restitution -1 (1 unexcused absence replaced)
3.6. When a student has accumulated five (5) attendance points during the school year, the school will contact parents by telephone, mail, or in person. (See attachment 2)
3.7. When a student has accumulated ten (10) attendance points during the school year, the school will contact the parents to set up a meeting. A letter will be sent to arrange and confirm the meeting time and place. (See attachment 3) School representatives should find what the explanation is for the lack of the attendance. The person(s) having this conversation must make notes or otherwise document specifically what the parent(s) said. Any or all of the following steps may be taken at the meeting.
3.7.1 Discuss the reason for excessive absences and/or tardiness.
3.7.2. Discuss make-up work.
3.7.3. Request doctor's verification with specific dates for absences and/or tardiness due to illness
3.7.4. Develop a contract with parents and student.
If prior arrangements for the educational needs of the student were made and/or the absences and/or tardiness were determined, by the principal to be reasonable a meeting and follow-up letter may not be necessary at this time.
3.8. If the parent does not attend the meeting, or if the results from the meeting with the parents do not resolve the problem and the student accumulates fifteen (15) total attendance points, a certified letter will be sent home. The certified letter must: (1) describe the problem, (2) describe necessary corrective action, (3) explain truancy mediation options, and (4) inform the parent(s) that if the situation is not corrected a referral will be submitted to the juvenile court for truancy and/or educational neglect. (See attachment 4) A copy of this letter, along with a copy of the completed checklist, will be forwarded to the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education. If a student accumulates twenty (20) attendance points, in compliance with Utah Code, Section 53A-11-101, the school will send a referral to the Washington County Attorney's office for truancy or educational neglect. Officers of the juvenile court will immediately take appropriate action.
4. Procedures for Intermediate Schools.
4.1. Rationale: In order to establish a transition from the elementary procedures (sec. 3) to the secondary consequences that fit the unique needs of Intermediate School students. This will prepare students for the secondary policy that requires restitution that effects earned credits in High School.
4.2. In accordance with the "State Compulsory Education Requirements" (Utah Code, Section 53A-11-101) and to help provide intermediate age students with the best opportunities for learning, the following policy will apply at Vista School.
4.3. In order to ensure that a specific procedure is followed; a checklist that clearly describes each step in the process will be used for each instance of excessive absence. The agenda described in the checklist is designed to help the school staff work with parents in providing a meaningful and consistent academic program for the child. The checklist should also be used to document earnest and persistent effort on the part of the school to provide a meaningful educational program.
4.3.1. The point system established for the secondary schools will apply to intermediate schools.
T – Tardy .25
E/A – Exempt absence 0
P – Parent Excused (First 5=0) 1 (per upon reaching 6)
U – Parent Call Unexcused 1
X - Unexcused absence 1
S - Truant 1
R - Restitution -1 (1 unexcused absence replaced)
4.3.2. When a student has accumulated five (5) attendance points during the quarter, the school will contact parents by telephone, mail, or in person.
4.3.3. When a student has accumulated eight (8) attendance points during the quarter, the school will conduct a phone conversation, face-to-face conference, or home visit with the parents. The person having this conversation must document it.
4.3.4. When a student has accumulated ten (10) attendance points during the quarter the school will:
4.3.4.1. Discuss the reason for excessive absences and/or tardiness.
4.3.4.2. Discuss make-up work.
4.3.4.3. Request doctor's verification with specific dates for absences due to illness
4.3.4.4. Develop a contract with parents and student. Contract may include consequences such as: work hours, court mediation, youth court, or referral to DCSF.
4.7. If the parent does not attend the meeting, or if the results from the meeting with the parents do not resolve the problem and the student does not meet the requirements of the contract then a referral will be made to juvenile court for truancy or educational neglect.
4.8. Truancy (Intermediate): Truancy will result in one hour of restitution for every class missed. Students are not allowed to make up work missed. Restitution will be completed during a time set aside on a scheduled Saturday morning, and they will be charged $5 per truancy.
Definitions:
Tardy: A tardy is defined as reporting to class after the bell has sounded to start class (no more than 15 minutes). A parent can excuse a tardy when an emergency situation results in a student arriving at school late. A student may not be excused for tardiness between classes.
Tardy rationale: Tardiness not only hinders a student's ability to profit from instruction at the beginning of class, but they interrupt the work of the other students who made the effort to be on time. In addition, tardy students are usually in the hallways interrupting other classes and the efforts of other students/friends to be to class on time. Punctual students perform better in school.
Excused tardiness can impact learning. They will be reported and reviewed by the school for impact. Teachers will include individual classroom policies addressing seat-time in their disclosure statements.
Tardy policy: Vista School is required to establish a uniform tardy policy. Individual teachers are encouraged to develop academic incentives for promptness. Suggestions for consideration include bell-ringer activities, participation points, dropping an assignment, etc.
It is the teacher's responsibility to properly record tardiness in SIS and step out into the hall before class to encourage students to go to class on time.
It is the responsibility of the student and parents to monitor tardiness with SIS2000+, through Progress Reports, and by communication with the teacher.
Excessive tardiness may result in any or all of the following: 1) teacher/student meeting 2) a teacher/student/parent meeting, or 3) a meeting with an administrator.
Absence: An absence is defined as any time a student is not in attendance in the classroom to which he or she has been assigned (within the first 15 minutes). Any type of absenteeism (other than an exempt absence) beyond five (5) days in a Quarter will be considered excessive, and may result in any or all of the following: 1) a meeting with an administrator 2) a referral to the Attendance Review Committee 3) a referral to Juvenile Court.
Incentive. Teachers are expected to acknowledge and reward appropriate behavior in the area of attendance.
There are three (3) categories of absences:
Parent excused absence. An absence excused by a parent or legal guardian within the time frame allowed by policy. In order for an absence to be considered a parent excused absence, the school must be notified by the parent prior to the absence, the day of the absence, or up to two (2) days following the absence. Work missed due to an excused absence may be made up within a reasonable time frame at the teacher's discretion (usually within 3-10 days). Please note: the law defines the reason for parents to excuse students as a "legitimate or valid reason, such as illness or family emergency."
Excessive excused absences: Absences become excessive when a total of excused absences exceed five (5) days in an individual class during a Quarter (see Consequences)
Unexcused absence: Unexcused absence is any absence that is not excused in accordance with the definition for an excused absence. An unexcused absence is counted as one (1) point for restitution purposes. Work missed may not be made up. (Appeal process is described in 3.6.)
Unexcused absences are considered a violation of this policy and will initiate restitution.
Truancy: If a student is absent from his/her assigned class, without parental or school knowledge, and the absence does not meet the standard of an excused or exempt absence, that student is considered to be truant.
Exempt absence: Absences that qualify under School policy as (a) educational travel, (b) school-related activity, (c) homebound absence, (d) absence due to chronic illness, or (e) court/detention absences are not counted as an absence if the school receives the required notification. Students who are given exempt absence status are responsible for completion of the work missed while they were absent. Exempt absence status will not be considered towards excessive absenteeism.
Educational travel: Travel with an educational component, such as visits to museums, historical sites, education centers, wildlife preserves, or cultural events, etc. will be considered educational travel. Seniors making campus visits to colleges where they are considering enrollment would also qualify for educational travel (five maximum). Students excused for "Educational Travel" will not be counted as absent if they comply with the following requirements:
Satisfactory arrangements are made with school administration and teachers prior to the absence.
An Educational Travel form is filled out and signed by the student, parent, administrator, and each of the student's teachers.
Appropriate assignments related to the travel have been completed and turned in.
It is recommended to parents that educational travel not be used more than once in a school year.
School-related activity: Students excused with administrative approval to participate in a school-related activity will not be counted as absent. School administrators will make a conscientious effort to minimize the number of school-excused absences.
Homebound absence: Students excused for homebound absences will not be counted as absent. In order to qualify for homebound absence a student must meet all of the following criteria:
A student must be absent for health-related reasons for a period of five (5) or more consecutive days. (In the case of a student who is undergoing surgery or has been injured in an accident, qualification for homebound is immediate.) Every effort should be made to get missed work and complete it during the extended absence. However, if that is not possible students will be responsible to make up the work they missed during their absence on their return.
A medical doctor must verify the illness or accident by (MD)
(Utah Code 53A-11-102(1)(a)(iii))
When recovery from illness or accident exceeds five (5) school days, a student is eligible to have homework collected for the parent/guardian to pick up or an alternative educational program will be developed.
Chronic illness: Chronic health problems may or may not interfere with attendance at school and learning in the classroom. It is extremely important that parents notify the school concerning health-related problems that their students may have. Chronic illness would include but not be limited to: diabetes, asthma, and severe allergies. If the chronic illness hinders a student's attendance, the parent is invited to meet with a school administrator to formulate an individual attendance plan that will meet the student's needs. It is the responsibility of the parent to schedule such a meeting and to provide verification of the illness from a medical doctor (MD).
Court or detention will be considered an exempt absence if student can demonstrate required participation.
Consequences
Rationale: All absences impact instructional time, learning, and participation.
Point System: All tardiness and absences will be assigned the following marks and points:
T – Tardy .5 (Elementary) .25 (Intermediate)
E/A – Exempt absence 0
P – Parent Excused (First 5=0) 1 (per upon reaching 6)
U – Parent Call Unexcused 1
X - Unexcused absence 1
S - Truant 1
R - Restitution -1 (1 unexcused absence replaced)
Excessive Parent Excused Absences: Excessive parent excused absences are defined as absences totaling more than Five (5). Whether parent excused or unexcused, absences have a negative impact on student learning. Academic instructional time is critical to student learning. Once a student reaches six (6) excused absences in a class, it is recommended that a teacher/student meeting be held. Once a student reaches ten (10) excused absences it will be deemed excessive and credit may be withheld.
Unexcused Absence: An unexcused absence is any absence that is not excused by the parent or guardian and will count as one (1) point in regard to required restitution. Course work cannot be made up, which may affect the academic grade. Unexcused absences totaling 3 requires a mandatory meeting with administration to consider consequences. Upon reaching 5 unexcused absences credit will be withheld.
Truant: A truant will count as one (1) point in regard to required restitution and cannot be excused by a parent or guardian. Course work cannot be made up which may affect the academic grade. Truancy totaling 3 requires a mandatory meeting with administration to consider consequences. Upon reaching 5 Truancies credit will be withheld.
No Grades: Six (6) points in a class period during the same term, will result in the withholding of the grade and the credit for that class period. A NG (No Grade) for that class period will appear on the next report card. The grade and credit will be restored when restitution is complete. A grade withheld does not influence the Grade Point Average, however, if not restored; it will result in the loss of credit required for graduation. Graduation credit lost due to this policy will require make-up classes.
Resolving minor's school attendance problems: Efforts of the school and/or Board shall include, as reasonably feasible:
Counseling by school authorities.
A written request for parental support in securing regular attendance by the minor, delivered by certified mail, containing notice of the requirements of this section (53A-11-101 to 106) and stating that refusal to respond to the notice is a class B misdemeanor.
At least one meeting with the minor and the parents, i.e., the School Administration
Any necessary adjustment to the curriculum and schedule to meet special needs of the minor.
Monitoring school attendance of the minor for a period not to exceed 30 days.
In addition, the School Administration and/or Board may enlist the assistance of community and law enforcement agencies as appropriate and reasonably feasible.
If attendance problems are not resolved, the Administration shall refer the offender to the Fifth District Juvenile court as a habitual truant.
Parent Notification.
The first time a student accumulates five (5) points or the equivalent in any single class period during a Quarter the parent will be notified by phone or letter. Parents are encouraged to monitor their student's attendance from this notification forward, and are required to check student attendance on SIS and are invited to call the attendance secretary at the school as often as necessary to help them with this task. No first-time notification for NG’s earned in other class periods in the same term will be made. This first-time notification procedure will be repeated each term of the school year.
Parents will be notified in writing the first time their student earns an NG (a Quarter report card is considered notification of the NG). It is the responsibility of the parent from that time on to contact the attendance secretary at the school for information regarding subsequently withheld grades and credit. This procedure will also be repeated each term. Restitution for a grade withheld may begin immediately following notification. In fact, students are encouraged to complete restitution prior to the end of term in which the grade withheld occurred. Restitution classes cannot be attended in advance of notification of an NG.
A parent, teacher, or a school administrator may request a conference to discuss the attendance of a student whom they deem to have an excessive number of absences. The proposed conference would consider steps that might be taken to improve attendance. A request for such a conference would precede a referral to juvenile court for truancy.
Restitution.
Restitution requirements: Attendance at "Restitution Classes" will be required in order to earn the release of grades and credit withheld. Restitution shall accrue hour for hour under any schedule. There will be a charge for each restitution hour. This charge will help to cover the cost of operating the restitution class. When points in a class above the allowable five (5) have been removed, the academic grade will be restored and credit issued. (Revised 11-11-07;)
Time limit for restitution: As outlined in Section 3.3 of the parent notification section above, students are encouraged to complete restitution prior to the end of term in which the grade withheld occurred. However, students will have eight weeks of the term following the one in which a grade was withheld to complete the requirements for restitution. If restitution is not completed in the time provided by the policy all No Grades (NG) will remain on the student record and credit for the term in that class will be lost.
Restitution classes: Restitution classes will be held at Vista School. The classes will be conducted outside the regular school day and may be scheduled for Saturdays, summers, or night school. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to check with the school regarding the schedule for restitution classes. Restitution classes will be conducted as study halls. Students will be required to engage in some academic pursuit. Students who do not come with meaningful schoolwork will not be admitted. Students who are late will be turned away. Vista School will offer a maximum of 40 hours of restitution classes per Quarter. Students will be required to enroll in restitution classes at the school where the points were acquired unless administrative arrangements are made by the principal.
Appeal process.
Students who have a NG as a result of this policy and feel that there are extenuating circumstances, which should be considered, are invited to request, in writing, that the grade be restored. Requests explaining the circumstances should be signed by the student and the parent or guardian and delivered to an administrator or Attendance Review Committee for consideration. Such appeals should be made within the first 3 weeks of term immediately following the receipt of the No Grade (NG). The School Administration will consider all appeals.
The Vista School Board will, also, participate in "due process." A student and his/her parent may appeal the decision of the Attendance Review Committee to the principal. They may, also, appeal the principal's decision by requesting (in writing through the Board Chairman) a special hearing before a full School Board Committee.
Dissemination.
This policy is available in its entirety in the Vista School office. A summary of this policy will, also, be published in student registration materials; student, and employee handbooks; and other appropriate school publications as directed by the Principal.
