Attendance

Attendance Phone Number: (269)926-3205

NOTE: Please reference the Student Handbook for a complete description of policies and procedures regarding attendance.

Michigan law requires that whoever has custody or charge of any child between ages 6 and 18 (unless the child has already completed high school graduation requirements) shall assure that the child attends public school during the entire school year.

Michigan law places responsibility on each student to attend school on a daily basis, and on each parent or guardian to send their child to school on a daily basis. More important, however, is the effect of regular and punctual attendance on the student's scholastic achievement. Each student is expected to be in school every day except when illness, injury, or some providential condition beyond the student's control prevents attendance.

For all students under the age of eighteen (18), parents must notify a school official if a child is to be absent. For a student eighteen (18) or over, the school will expect a parent, doctor, or responsible adult to corroborate a student's absence. Absences may be excused up to ONE DAY (24 HOURS) after the student misses school.

Prearrange Absences.

A prearrange absences form must be used if a student is to be absent from school for one or more days to visit a college/university, trade school, other educational experience, or a family vacation. The purpose of this form is to help parents determine the degree to which the absence will impact their student's academic progress in school. Classroom work missed during their prearranged absence must be made up upon the student's return, or when possible, in advance of the absence. Students have one day, for each day they are absent, to make up missing work. Students are expected to follow this guideline unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher. The responsibility of initiating make up work and turning in assignments rests with the student. Forms can be found in the attendance office.

Reporting Absences.

The following procedure should be followed to excuse an absence:

  1. The parent should phone the High School Attendance Office (926-3205) prior to 9:00am on the day of the absence.
  2. If a parent/guardian does not communicate by phone or in person the day of the absence, the student should present a written statement and/or confirmation of the cause of the absence to the office on the first day the student returns from the absence. An absence will be considered unexcused if the student does not present written documentation upon the day of the following:
    1. Name and grade of the student
    2. Date of the absence
    3. Specific reason for the absence
    4. Authorized signature
  3. Notification will be sent to parent/guardian regarding the absence and it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to communicate reason for the absence within 24hrs from that point or the absence will go as unexcused.
  4. Notification of the accumulated absences and potential loss of credit will be communicated to a parent/guardian upon the seventh absence from a class.
  5. Upon the eleventh absence from a class, through any combination of excused and unexcused absences, including tardies, notification of loss of credit will be communicated to a parent/guardian.
  6. Students who are denied credit due to attendance will need to audit the class for the remainder of the semester to fulfill the first condition of the graduation requirement that states, "A students must be a full-time student for a minimum of four years, attempting, attending and completing classes totaling 22.5 credits."
  7. If the student is passing the course, the student will receive a "no credit" (NC) for the semester course. If the student is failing the course, the falling grade will stand and be entered on the student's transcript. A student with a NC recorded for a grade will not be eligible for honor roll or any other academic recognition, and may also jeopardize eligibility in student activities.