C. Attendance

While there are myriad expectations expressed through this handbook, all students and adults at Branson are expected to adhere to the following general guidelines at all times, while at school or when participating in any Branson sponsored activity, in order to encourage a joyful community space.

1. Limit cell phone use in public spaces, especially during school events (eg. assembly, student performances, class meetings) 2. Use respectful and inclusive language, particularly in public spaces 3. Respect others by arriving on time to class, meetings, and school events 4. Take necessary steps to keep the campus clean, and encourage peers to do the same. 5. Practice safe movement on campus by remaining on foot (not skateboarding, biking, or using motorized transport) during school hours and following the on-campus speed limit of 10 mph when arriving and leaving for the day.

In all cases, students are expected to: ● Be on time for the start of the school day. ● Follow their daily schedules, be on time, and attend all classes, assemblies, advisor meetings, appointments, and any other required school functions ● When applicable, remain on campus during school hours.

Daily Schedule

See the Daily Schedule for the 2022-23 school year here.

Signing In and Out of School

It is critical that the school be aware of who is and is not on campus at all times and who is and is not attending class.

Students must indicate their arrival at school by either attending their first period class, or by signing in at the lobby of Richardson Hall or the Library on any day when they do not have a first period class, or when they arrive at school after 9 am.

Students must sign out whenever they leave campus early for any reason, unless they are leaving to attend a school-sponsored athletic practice or competition.

Once senior privileges have started, seniors are expected to be diligent about signing out when they leave campus and signing in when they return.

Tardiness

Frequent tardiness to class interferes with student learning and is disruptive to the classroom. Students are expected to have arrived and be ready to begin at the start of each class period. Failure to do so may result in the student being marked tardy. If a student will be more than 10 minutes late to class, they must first sign in at Richardson Hall or in the Library before heading to class. This rule applies even if checking in adds further delay to a student’s arrival to class.

Students are also expected to arrive at class and at school on time even if they do not have a first period class. Students who do not have a first period class and fail to sign in at the lobby of Richardson Hall or at the Library will be considered to be tardy. Students who do have a first period class and arrive after 10 minutes from the start of class must also sign in at the lobby of Richardson Hall or at the Library before going to their class. This rule applies even if checking in adds further delay to a student’s arrival to class.

Students who develop a pattern of tardiness, or who are late for class more than 5 times in a particular semester, will be asked to meet with their Class Dean to review school policy and discuss options for an on-time arrival. Such students may also be subject to disciplinary action. Excessive tardiness for any particular class will likely impact the student’s grade in the course and may put receiving full credit for the course at risk.

Absence

Like frequent tardiness, frequent absences interfere with student learning and are disruptive to the classroom. The school will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the effects of illness or absence for family emergencies, but both students and parents/guardians can expect consequences for repeated, extended, and selective absences from class.

Students who develop a pattern of absenteeism, or who are absent for more than 7 school days, or miss more than 7 meetings of a particular class, will be asked to have an Attendance Review Meeting with their Class Dean and parents/guardians. Such students may be subject to disciplinary action. Excessive absenteeism for any particular class will likely impact the student’s grade in the course and may put receiving full credit for the course at risk.

Students may be ineligible to receive credit for a semester-long course if they miss more than 10 class meetings and may be ineligible to receive credit for a year-long course if they miss more than 15 class meetings.

Absence Due to Illness or Family Emergency

When a student’s absence is unplanned, such as with illness or some other family emergency, their parent or guardian must telephone the school before 8:45 am to report the absence. It is

also acceptable to send an email to attendance@branson.org. Students should remain home when they are ill to avoid infecting others.

Planned Absences

Sometimes, a student knows they will be absent in advance. If the student will be absent due to school-sponsored athletics, they need to satisfy the minimum attendance requirements for athletics that day in order to be excused from class.

If the student will be absent due to a school-sponsored field trip, the student is expected to complete a Field Trip Notification Form and have it signed by their teachers.

In all other cases, the student is expected to complete a Notice of Absence Form and have it signed by their teachers. Both Field Trip Notification Forms and Notice of Absence Forms should be completed at least one school week before the date of the absence and turned in to the Class Dean. These forms are available via Blackbaud/MyBranson.

Absences due to school-sponsored athletics and school-sponsored field trips will not be counted in calculating excessive absenteeism. In the case of any absence, it is the student’s responsibility to make up all academic work due to a missed planned absence, and to partner with their teachers for planning to make up that work. Missing school as a result of an extended family vacation is strongly discouraged and will be counted in calculating excessive absenteeism.

Appointments During the School Day

Elective appointments (including DMV appointments) should be scheduled outside school hours and families are expected to arrange appointments so that students will not miss school. If unavoidable, the student’s parent/guardian must call the school, send an email to attendance@branson.org, or send a note to school on the day of the appointment stating the reason, time of departure, and estimated time of return. Students are required to sign out in person at the lobby of Richardson Hall or the Library and sign in when they return. Written verification of the appointment may be required. A reminder that students may not be picked up or dropped off on or near campus between 8:15 and 9:15 am and between 2:50 and 4:20 pm. During all other times, pickups/dropoffs must be conducted outside the front gates on Fernhill. Please see the Transportation Handbook for further details.

Meetings with College Representatives

With permission from the respective teacher, seniors may miss class to meet with college representatives that visit Branson. Seniors must sign up for these visits via Scoir and request permission from their teachers at least two school days in advance of the meeting. Other students may not miss class to attend college representative meetings, but they may meet with

college representatives if the timing of the visit occurs during a study block, open flex block, lunch, or before or after school.

Cutting Class, Assembly, or Advisory

Students are expected to attend all of their classes, Assembly, and advisory, as they are key components of the Branson experience. Students who cut class, Assembly, or advisory without a legitimate reason will face disciplinary consequences and may go to the Community Honor Board.

Senior Privileges

Seniors, upon receiving signed permission from their parents and the Senior Dean, may arrive after the scheduled start of the school day and may leave campus early. However, per our new Parking and Transportation guidelines, driving off campus for any reason and then driving

back to campus will not be allowed, and any driver caught violating this agreement will lose on-campus driving privileges immediately for the remainder of the school year.

These privileges do not begin for seniors until each senior has returned their permission form to the Senior Dean. Seniors may leave campus on foot or bicycle only during study blocks, clubs periods, flex blocks, and lunch. Seniors may not miss any classes, assemblies, advisor group meetings, or scheduled meetings with faculty. They must also fulfill any carpool obligations, if applicable.

Seniors who bring younger students off campus during the class day will lose these privileges immediately. Chronic tardiness and/or absences from class may also result in the revocation of these privileges. Seniors must sign out in the lobby of Richardson Hall or the Library if they leave campus during school hours and sign in at one of those locations when they return. A senior with a study block the first block of the day must always sign in at the lobby of Richardson Hall or the Library upon arriving at school. Senior privileges may be revoked at the discretion of the Senior Dean.

Eligibility for School Activities

In order to participate in an extracurricular activity, such as a rehearsal, performance, sports practice or sports competition, students must also attend school that day.

Extended Leave of Absence Policy

Branson understands that, on occasion, it may be in a student’s best interest to take an extended leave of absence from school in order to attend to their emotional or physical well-being. When a student’s mental, physical, or emotional health severely interferes with their capacity to attend and participate in daily school life, this leave may be requested or required,