Policy Committee Members

1. Policy Committee Members Jane Cornell, Rob Danneker, Lindsay Day, Katie Ellis, Karen Frank, Tom Hart, Beth Johnson, Kristin Johnson, Butch Moening, Robert Peterfeso, Russell Schahn, Chad Sexauer, Teresa Tonda, Kris Weinfurtner

2. Committee Goals • Review of the student handbook. • Open and honest discussion regarding current policies. • A move towards consensus on recommended improvements. • Adoption of policies that foster student learning and accountability.

3. Why have school policies? • to make a clear statement of a belief or purpose that arises from goals which have been adopted for the school • to provide a framework for achieving clearly stated purposes on an important issue • to tell what is wanted of individuals or groups in the school • to tell why certain things are wanted of individuals or groups within the school • to provide a clear basis for the preparation and implementation of rules and procedures

4. A good school policy should… • provide positive direction for teachers and administrators • permit staff to make interpretations in such a way as to adjust for changing conditions without making any basic changes in policy • be evaluated on a regular basis • be written in a style which is readily understood by all members of the school community • promote student learning

5. Summary of AttENDANCE Policy Changes ATTENDANCE • Call the Attendance Office on the day of the absence by 8:30 A.M. to report absence (651-457-9415, a 24 hour voicemail number.) Please leave the student’s first and last name, reason for absence, your relationship to the student and a phone number where you can be reached. • A note from the parent/guardian must accompany the student upon his/her return to school.

6. Procedures for Late arrivals • After 8:10 a.m., students must report to the attendance office for a pass to class (they will only be given a pass if they have a parent note). • If a student arrives after 8:10 AM, (with or without a note) they are expected to go to class, but they are considered absent for the period. Mark them as absent. • If a student misses more than 15 minutes of a class period, they are considered absent for the class period.

7. Quick Attendance Reminders • Take attendance by 8:15 AM for Period 1. • Take attendance at or before 15 minutes into each class period. • For students that arrive 15 minutes late, or are not present for any 15 minutes during the period, mark them absent. • If a student arrives to your class after 8:10 AM without a pass, do not send them down to the attendance office. • For these students that arrive after 8:10 AM without an excused pass from Kelly: email or call Kelly and state the student’s name, and arrival time. Mark them absent.

8. Consequences of Absences • Any student who exceeds 7 absences in any class period could be placed on non-credit status. There will be an appeals process to review the absences for any unusual circumstances and to document absences for doctor or other specialist visits. • A good practice to follow is to ask for notes from your doctor, dentist, etc. at the time of any appointment for future documentation. Special exceptions will be made for students with serious injuries, long term illnesses or family emergencies, school approved absences. • Any student who exceeds 7 unexcused or ten absences total at the end of a term could receive a no credit (nc) for the course if the student was earning a passing mark. An appeals process is in place for students/parents/guardians that feel extenuating circumstances should be considered prior to denying credit. The appeals group will consist of teachers and an administrator.

9. CONSEQUENCES OF UNEXCUSED ABSENCES 1. First unexcused absence, the parent is notified by the teacher and administrator. The office will assign one hour of detention. Students are expected to complete any missed assignments. 2. Second and third unexcused absence, the parent is notified by the teacher and administrator. The office will assign two hours of detention. 3.Fourth unexcused absences, the parent is notified by the teacher and Administrator. The office may assign Out of School Suspension. An Attendance contract will be written by the an administrator. 4. Fifth unexcused absence in a class. The office will assign Out of School Suspension. Students will potentially lose credit in the class(es). The Administrator will have a conference with the student and the parent to develop and implement an attendance accountability contract.

10. EXCUSED ABSENCE DEFINITION Excused absences fall under these categories: 1. Family emergencies (serious family illness, injury or death) 2. Medical appointments (the school reserves the right to verify) 3. Student illness 4. School sponsored activities- School approved activities 5. Required court appointments 6. Pre-approved absences by the administration including family vacations 7. Religious holidays or religious release time 8. Suspension 9. Tournaments approved by the Activities Office 10. College Fair

11. PREAPPROVED ABSENCES Absences for family trips need to be pre-approved by written application to the Attendance Office by the parent/guardian. Even though they are excused, these days MAY APPLY TO THE 7 AND 10 DAY RULE. Families are encouraged to schedule vacations during school breaks and the summer.

12. THE APPEAL PROCESS At the end of a semester, a student who is passing a course but has lost credit due to truancy will have the option to appeal the loss of credit. Appeal hearings will be scheduled during the last days of the semester. The Attendance Appeals Committee shall consist of a designated administrator, and teacher representatives. The student appealing the loss of credit is required to attend the hearing. If he/she does not appear for the hearing, the student will lose credit for the course. Parent(s)/guardian(s) may attend.

13. Make Up Work Policy When a student is absent from class, the student is expected to complete any missed work and assignments. Make-up work is expected.The MAKE-UP WORK POLICY applies to any absence. Students will have an equal amount of time to turn in make-up work as the time absent. For example, for a one-day absence, the student will have one day to turn in make up work. Any work not completed within this period shall result in No Credit (NC) for the missed assignment.

14. MAKE-UP WORK A STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY Following an absence, it is the responsibility of the student to find out assignments and to complete course work assigned. Students are expected to complete any missed assignments and assessments that result from an absence. Generally, students are given one (1) day to make-up work missed during a one-day absence. (The exception to this rule is when a test or assignment has been announced in advance while the student is in attendance and then they miss the day of the test or the date the assignment is due. In such cases, the student may be required to take the test and/or hand in the assignment the first day back in school).

15. TARDIES Definition: If student is not IN the classroom and prepared to begin class at the designated start time for the class, the student is tardy.

16. TARDINESS Students are considered tardy if they are not in the classroom when the tone sounds. For every three tardies accumulated to a specific class, it is documented as an unexcused absence and the procedure as outlined in the Consequences of Unexcused Absences will be imposed. Tardy Sweeps will be done periodically by the administration. Those students that are caught in a Tardy Sweep will be issued detention. Students are always expected to report to class no matter how much time is remaining in the class period. Students who are tardy to class three times will be assigned detention to be served with the teacher of the class. Students are to serve this detention within one week of assignment. Serving detention time will have priority over extra-curricular activity attendance.

17. Students who are tardy to class four times (or more) receive an additional teacher assigned detention for each individual tardy incident beyond the third tardy event. Students who are found by other staff or administration to be in the hallways and late/tardy for class will also be assigned after school detention. Students who do not show up for detention (assigned by either administration or classroom staff) will have the amount of serve time doubled, with a second date/time opportunity to serve the detention. A second miss of assigned detention will be considered insubordination and result in a one-day suspension from school. Students who fail to serve assigned time by the end of the term will receive report card grades with “no credit” (NC) until the time is served.

18. Tardy Policy Review • 1ST AND 2ND TARDY: Teacher marks in the computer and in attendance records. • 3rd TARDY: Student will be assigned a 30 minute teacher supervised detention. The student must make an appointment for before school or after school with the teacher to serve this time. The teacher schedule must be considered. The student needs to serve the 30 minutes within one week of the 3rd tardy.

19. Additional Tardies • FOR EACH TARDY AFTERWARDS: 15 minutes of detention

20. DON’T MAKE UP DETENTIONS? Student receives an (NC) No Credit for the course until the time is served.

21. How to Respond to Parent Calls • Let them know our school policy, and why the student was marked absent or tardy. • Encourage the parent to have a conversation with their student. • Communicate why we believe that it is important for students to be in class.

22. Questions?