Attendance Standards

Attendance Standards

Learning is sequential and continuity is one of the building blocks for a successful learning experience. It is important for a child to attend each session of class. However, we realize that there are occasions when children must miss school, particularly if the child shows signs of illness or if there is a family emergency. The school follows these guidelines concerning school attendance:

Procedure to Report an Absence

A parent/guardian is to notify the school office by emailing Phyllis Williams, Upper School Administrative Assistant (pawilliams@tpcs.org), calling the front office (317)-360-0468, or bringing in a note, to report a school absence. This notification must be given prior to 9:00 am on the day of the absence or the student’s absence will be considered unexcused. A call or email is needed each day a student is absent. If a child is out of school two or more consecutive days due to illness or incapacity and/or is hospitalized, the parent must provide a doctor's certificate to the school nurse upon the child's return to school.

Check-In/Out Procedures

Students checking in/out of school during the school day must do so through the high school front office. The student's parents must contact the front office first, at which point the front office staff will retrieve the student from the class. Students may not dismiss themselves from class to go check out.

Partial Day Absences

Parents are expected to schedule their child’s appointments during non-school hours. If a student must be absent from school for an appointment then a doctor’s note must be provided within 24 hours of the absence. If a student misses more than 15 minutes of a class, it will be counted as an absence for that class.

Absences Concerning Extracurriculars

If a student is unable to complete the academic school day due to illness, then they are not permitted to participate and/or attend extracurricular activities for 24 hours and must be fever free (without medication) for 24 hours.

Unexcused absences:

● A parent/guardian does not notify the school before 9:00 am on the day of the absence. ● A student is absent from school without the knowledge of the parent/guardian ● Family vacations that did not receive prior approval

● Out of School Suspensions ● Cutting or skipping class ● Not attending Fall Retreat and/or Exploration Trips (ie.School within School trips) ● Failure to do the required work and/or check-in for E-Learning Days Unexcused absences may result in work that cannot be made up, including homework, tests, and all other graded assignments.

According to Indiana Code 20-33-2-11, a child is considered a 'habitual truant' when the student is chronically absent, by having unexcused absences from school for more than ten (10) days of school in one (1) school year.

Excused absences include, but aren’t limited to:

A. Death in the family B. Student injury or illness. An extended absence due to injury or illness will require a doctor’s note C. Appointments that cannot be scheduled outside school hours with a doctor’s note provided D. Transportation/weather problems at the discretion of the school, on a case-by-case basis E. Prearranged absences (ie. vacations) that are notified by parents and approved by administration two weeks in advance of the absence. Students will not be excused for vacations on days on which they are to participate in standardized testing (i.e., ISTEP+ ,

NWEA) or final exams. Email the principal or the administrative assistant (pawilliams@tpcs.org) to arrange this.

With the exception of college visits, all of the aforementioned reasons for an excused absence will count in the total number of absences allowed in a semester.

Excessive absences due to special circumstances will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Students supplying the proper notification to the office and participating in the following events are not counted absent:

● Page or honoree in the Indiana General Assembly ● Subpoenaed court appearance ● Helper to a political candidate or election process ● National Guard duty ● School-sponsored field trips which include student council exchange, music programs, and class-related activities ● School sanctioned college visits (3 allowed per school year)

Consequences for Excessive Absences

Parents will be notified by the dean’s office when a student reaches three (3) absences from a class or school in a semester. Once a student has four (4) absences from class or school, a conference with parents will be scheduled by the school administration to discuss options. If a student misses more than six (6) absences from a class, the student may lose credit and receive an F grade for the course, unless the principal and parents have previously worked out an alternative plan. Absences that are excused due to approved school activities are not counted toward the 6-day limit. For excessive absences resulting from injury or illness, please see the Excessive Absence Due to Extended Illness/Injury policy below.

As a means of emphasizing the importance of school attendance, a student who violates the attendance policy may receive one or more of the following consequences: Detention, in-school suspension (ISS), out-of-school suspension, revoking enrollment status, and/or referral to Child Protective Services.

Excessive Absences Due to Extended Illness/Injury

Parents must schedule a conference with the school administration to discuss the possibility of receiving a waiver. A certificate of the child’s incapacity must be provided by the child’s doctor. Early notification to school officials is preferred so that a waiver may be established. During an extended illness, parents/guardians are responsible for contacting teachers, preferably via email, to arrange for classroom work being missed.

Truancy

A student is truant if he/she is absent from school or class without permission of a parent or guardian, or leaves the school grounds once he/she has reported for classes without proper school personnel authorization. In case of truancy, the parent or guardian will be notified immediately. Truancy is an unexcused absence and the student will receive a 0 for all work missed while truant.

Late Arrivals

Students are expected to show up to school and be in their first-period class on time. If a student fails to show up to school on time they will be given a Late Arrival. Parents should call ahead and inform the office of their students' late arrival. Students are permitted five (5) Late Arrivals a semester to account for traffic and/or weather. (This does not include school-issued delays). The Late Arrival count is reset each semester. Consequences for Excessive Late Arrivals 4-5 = Warning 6+ = Disciplinary Referral