attendance.htm

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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING
STUDENT ATTENDANCE

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance and punctuality are required of every student. Students who have good attendance generally achieve higher grades, enjoy school more, and are much more employable after leaving high school. The Houston Independent School District expects all students to attend school regularly and be on time for classes in order to benefit from the instructional program and to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline, and responsibility. No student may leave the Waltrip Campus without signing out in the Attendance Office. Sign-outs for illness must have a note from the School Nurse or Assistant Principal. Any departure from campus without signing out will be treated as "cutting class".

All students deemed truant will be referred to Sgt Lazano of the Houston Police Department. She can and will write a citation for skipping school or for failing to attend any class.

Attendance and Excuses

1. Students must be in attendance eighty-five (85) days each semester. If a student is passing course content, but failing because of attendance, he/she may appeal to the Attendance Committee for a waiver. Appeal procedures will be announced throughout the year.

2. School sponsored or sanctioned activities are exempt and do not count as absences.

3. Students, parents, or guardians are to be notified when a student has four absences.

4. A student must be in attendance at least 70 minutes of the 90 minute period to be counted present.

PERMITS

Students must submit an excuse for being absent to Assistant Principal Mr. Lertora the day of their return to school or at least within three (3) school days. If a student fails to submit an excuse within three school days of return, the absence is considered unexcused. This unexcused absence cannot be changed with the submission of a letter or excuse at a later date.

MAKE-UP WORK

After returning from an absence, a student has five (5) school days to make-up work missed. It is the responsibility of the student to request this work and to complete it.

APPEALS

You must appeal any class you pass, but have more than two (2) unexcused absences. NO EXCEPTIONS.