ATTENDANCE

Students who attend school regularly and punctually learn more and enjoy a more successful academic experience than those who do not. At Hibriten, consistent attendance and promptness are an expectation. During a semester, if a student misses more than seven days, he / she will not receive credit for that course unless a grade of “C” or above is achieved on the final exam along with passing scores from the class. Once enrolled as a full time student at Hibriten, students are expected to attend all classes throughout the semester. This includes all classes taken at the Career Center or Caldwell Community College. Dropping a class due to absences or failures is not an option. Graduation status may be affected if students do not attend their full schedule of classes each semester during their senior year. Students must attend a class 1 hour to be counted present for that class. In order for a student to be counted present for the day, they must sign in before 11:10. All students signing in after that time will be counted absent for the day.

Signing in and out procedures

In order to keep accurate attendance records, it is extremely important that a student who is reporting late to school sign in through the office to have an absence corrected.  Students who fail to follow this procedure may be referred to the office for cutting class.  First period classes begin promptly at 8:00. Students who accumulate unexcused tardies to school will be disciplined according to the school tardy policy. Students signing in after first period will be disciplined as a class cut if the absence is unexcused. 

Students are expected to be in attendance from 8:00 until 2:45 every school day. If an emergency occurs in which a student must leave campus before the school day ends, a parent or legal guardian must come to the office to pick up the student, or call to give verbal permission for students who drive to sign out. Only a parent or guardian may give a student authorization to leave the school. Students who have planned in advance to sign out early (ex: funerals, doctor’s appointments) may report with a note to the counseling center before school from 7:30 to 7:55 in the designated areas. Parents are asked to schedule medical and dental appointments after school hours except in cases of emergency. Under all circumstances, students must sign out and in through the office before leaving or returning to campus.

Absence Codes

Following an absence, students should report to their counselor before 7:55 AM with a note from their parent / guardian stating the reason for their absence, the date of the absence, grade level, and a telephone number. Medical appointments will be excused with an official document from the medical facility. Students will receive a note for admittance to class, which must be signed by each teacher. The primary responsibility for school attendance rests with students and parents; however, schools must properly record absences and tardies, notify parents when needed, and discourage excessive absences. Students who drive and parents who transport students are expected to be punctual on a daily basis. Upon the eighth absence to any class, official documentation (example, doctor’s note) will be required for the absence to be coded as excused.

Excused Absences

The following are lawful excused absences if satisfactory documentation is provided:

 

	Death in the immediate family
	Court or administrative proceedings
	Quarantine
	Medical or dental appointments
	Religious observances
	Educational opportunity
	Sickness

Unexcused Absences

Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to: missing the bus; oversleeping; inclement weather; baby-sitting; taking a day or part of a day studying for a test; paying bills; looking for a job; getting a driver’s license; alarm clock not working; car trouble.

Notification of Excessive Absences

The school will notify parents of students under 16 years of age who have excessive absences under the following conditions:

1. After the third unexcused absence, parents / guardians are notified and a conference is requested.

2. After the sixth unexcused absence, parents / guardians are notified by mail that he / she may be prosecuted under the General Compulsory Attendance Law if these absences cannot be justified. A copy of the notice will be directed to the social worker and attendance officer, who will work with the student and family to remedy the problem. If warranted, the attendance officer, social worker, and principal may take legal action.

3. After the 10th unexcused absence, the principal shall review any report or investigation to determine whether the case shall be turned over to the district attorney for possible court action, or to the juvenile intake counselor.

4. An appeal process is available for 8 or more absences through the student’sadministrator. The appeal must be completed and turned in to the office at least one week prior to the end of the semester for which the appeal is being requested.  Attendance Appeals Forms maybe obtained from the office.