Achievement and attendance are highly related. As a result, attendance records become a significant factor in the promotion or retention of a student. Rules and regulations regarding excessive absenteeism and tardiness shall be enforced.
Students are expected to be in school, on time, every day. Occasionally, absence or tardiness cannot be avoided and may be excused if the student brings a written note stating the reason. It is within the desecration of the Principal to decide whether or not to excuse an absence or tardy. The following are considered valid reasons for an excused absence:
• Illness of the student. (The Principal may require the certificate of a physician, if it is deemed necessary.)
• Illness in the family necessitating the presence of the child. (The Principal may require the written statement of a physician and an explanation as to why the child's absence was necessary, if it is deemed appropriate.)
• Quarantine of the home. (The absence of a student from school under this condition is limited to the length of quarantine as fixed by the proper health officials.)
• Death of a relative. (The absence arising from this condition is limited to a period of three days unless a reasonable cause may be shown by the applicant child for a longer absence.)
• Observance of a religious holiday. (Any student of any religious faith shall be excused for the purpose of observing a religious holiday consistent with his/her creed or belief.)
• Emergency or other set of circumstances in which the judgment of the Principal constitutes a good and sufficient cause for absence from school.
When a student is absent from school, a parent/guardian must call by 9:00 a.m. to report his/her child’s absence from school. If the parent does not contact the school, the school will make every reasonable attempt to contact parents/guardians at home or at work.
A written note is required to excuse an absence. Written notes are to be turned in to the front office explaining the absence within three days of the child’s return to school. Parents may call to get their child’s homework only after they have missed two consecutive days of school.
If a student is picked up early for a doctor’s appointment or for another valid reason, a student needs to be signed out in the office by the parents/guardians before leaving. Note in the tardy count will be the number of times a student leaves school before 3:30 p.m. Early dismissals during the last forty five (45) minutes of the day are very disruptive and are discouraged.
If a student is picked up for a doctor’s visit, then they must return with a doctor’s excuse. If a doctor’s excuse is not presented, the dismissal will be considered unexcused.
Students who accompany their families on vacation of reasonable length shall be considered truant, unless approved through administration. However, the Principal and the student’s teachers must be notified of such absence two weeks in advance. Make-up work will be provided, if needed. Trips of more than ten (10) consecutive school days will not be approved except in extraordinary circumstances as defined by the Principal.
Excessive Tardiness Absences & Truancy
Every 210 minutes (3.5 hours) a student is late or for every 210 minutes (3.5 hours) a student leaves early, or a combination of the two, will be considered a half day absence. It will be up to the discretion of the Principal if the half day absence will be considered excused or unexcused. A running record shall be kept in by the main office.
Absence for more than 300 minutes of the school day (5 hours) will be counted as a full day absence.
Any student who has accumulated ten (10) unexcused absences within the school year must have a mandatory meeting with their parent/guardian and the Principal to explain the circumstances of the missed days.
Any student who has accumulated eighteen (18) unexcused absences within the school year will be withdrawn from Sunrise Academy.
Any student receiving an absence, whether excused or unexcused, will be allowed to make up any work missed including tests.
