Attendance Guidelines and Procedures

The School Code of the State of Illinois requires the attendance of all students until the age of 17. It is the legal responsibility of parents and/or guardians to see that their children attend school regularly. Truancies of students under the age of 17 will be reported to the County Truant Officer, as required by the School Code. A student may not attend or participate in any school activity on a day that he /she has been absent from more than ½ of his/her classes.

Regular attendance and punctuality are good habits to acquire. They are characteristics of successful
students and later, working individuals. Your future employers always inquire about your absence record.

There are other reasons for consistent attendance that are obvious. We need the help of both parents and students to ensure that the maximum benefits of the school program are realized.

Listed below are the only reasons that excused students will be granted for an absence:

1.   Sickness

2.   Death in the family

3.   Medical appointments

4.   Serious family emergency (does not include babysitting, oversleeping or admitting repairman)

5.   College visitation (junior and senior students)

6.   Religious holidays

Unexcused status is assigned for:

1.   Truancy

2.   Suspension from school

3.   Any student who is absent 10 or more consecutive days, without parental contact, will be dropped from school for non-attendance. Parents wishing to re-enroll the student must present current proof of residence. Students who present evidence of illness from a physician will be excused from this requirement.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The school reserves the right to require additional verification beyond parent/guardian approval for any student absence.

Attendance Office Telephone Number: 679-5818.

When a student is absent, parents are asked to telephone 679-5818 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on the day of the absence. Parents may report student absences before 7:30 a.m. by calling 679-5818 and leaving a voice mail. Only the parent or legal guardian may report a student’s absence. Calls made by other individuals will not be accepted and the student will be considered truant.

A verbal or written report on each absence must be made by the parent or guardian no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day the student returns, before the student will be readmitted to class without penalty. If the student is signing in/out for a doctor or dental appointment, they must present a doctor’s note to the attendance office upon return to school. If this procedure is not followed, the student will be considered truant. Students for whom parent contact was not made must report to the Attendance Office for admits following their absence. There will be no admits issued after 8:05. Students are to turn in their admits, signed by their teachers, to their last hour teacher. A student may not attend or participate in any school activity on the day he/she is absent from class.

If a student is absent more than nine days per semester and does not produce a medical excuse from a physician, the student will be considered truant. A mandatory parent conference will be scheduled.

DISTRICT 227 TARDY POLICY
2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR

Rich Township High School

I.   Excessive absences

   After the 10th excused absence per semester, the student will be in jeopardy of being dropped from his/her academic program. After the 7th excused absence a parent conference will be held and the student will be placed on a probationary status. On the 11th excused absence, the student will be dropped from either a class/classes or school based on the circumstances. The school officials have the right to request medical documentation of absences." Parents/Guardians must call the Deans’ office by 3:00 p.m. on the day of the student’s absence in order for the absence to be excused.

II.   Truancy Policy

A.   Definition

1.   An unexcused absence also known as truancy is defined as:

2.   A total absence from class without permission of a school official or parent/guardian.

3.   An arrival to class more than 5 minutes after the bell may be considered a truancy.

B.   Truancy Policy

1.   A call is made to the home along with a letter sent

2.   A call and letter sent to the home and appropriate consequence assigned.

3.   Mandatory parent conference. Student is in danger of being dropped from class.

4.   Student may be dropped from class by appropriate administrator.

III.   Tardy Policy

   A tardy to class is one in which the student is no more than 5 minutes late to class. Repeated tardies may result in being dropped from the class for the duration of the semester.

1st. Tardy   Documented warning from the teacher

2nd. Tardy   Documented warning sent to the Dean. A letter home and the teacher make a phone call to the parent/guardian.

3rd. Tardy   Referral to the Dean. The Dean assigns an appropriate consequence (Saturday detention, In-School-Suspension, or assignment of Disciplinary Points).

4th. Tardy   Teacher sends a referral to dean. A parent conference is held and the student may be dropped from the class.

5th Tardy   Teacher consequences may be given or the student may be dropped from the class.

* A tardy is defined as not being present in the room when the tardy bell rings.

3.   Fighting

   Whenever students are involved in any physical or verbal confrontations which can be characterized as aggressive behavior with another student, which includes instigating a fight, or which can lead to a serious disruption in the school environment, the following will result:

a.   Up to a ten-day out-of-school suspension (unless evidence indicates that only one was clearly the aggressor); and/or

b.   Recommendation for expulsion if circumstances warrant; and/or

c.   Referral to the police.

For repeated offenses, the following will result:

a.   A ten-day out-of-school suspension; and/or

b.   Recommendation for expulsion, if circumstances warrant; and/or

c.   Referral to police; and/or

d.   Possible placement in an alternative school setting.

   For any unprovoked attack by a student or group of students upon another person, the following will result:

a.   A ten-day out-of-school suspension; and/or

b.   Recommendation for expulsion, if circumstances warrant; and/or

c.   Referral to police; and/or

d. Possible placement in an alternative school setting

6.   School Dress

   Students are expected to dress in an appropriate manner, respectful of the purpose of the school and those around them. Students may not wear clothing or accessories which disrupt the educational atmosphere, damage school property, or contributes to unhealthy conditions of the school. Appropriateness of school dress will be determined by the school administration.

a.   The feet must be covered with shoes or sandals. The shoes or sandals must not mark or damage floors. Shower shoes/house slippers are not to be worn unless prior approval from administration has been made (i.e., special events).

b.   Students must dress in opaque material from the shoulder to the lower mid-thigh. Slits or splits in clothing should be modest and appropriate for an academic setting. Students shall not wear tank tops, halter-tops, garments with spaghetti straps, or strapless garments. Garments that are “see-through”, cut low, or expose one’s midriff or undergarments, are not acceptable. Sleeveless garments must extend from the neck to the end of the shoulder cap, and fit closely under the arms. Undergarments must not be visible, when either standing or sitting. Sleepwear and/or pajamas are not to be worn unless prior approval from administration has been made (i.e. special events).

c.   Coats, jackets, headscarves, hats, head coverings, hoods and sunglasses may not be worn in the school and must be stored in the hall lockers during the school day. Exceptions may be made by school administration for religious or health reasons.

d.   Students may not display or wear pocket chains and/or other metal objects which may be used as a weapon.

e.   Students may not display and/or wear clothing, jewelry, or tattoos displaying obscenities, gang/satanic cult symbols, or advertising promoting alcohol, drugs, violence or weapons, nor may students display and/or wear clothing or clothing items, jewelry, or tattoos that denigrate others on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability, or that are otherwise contrary to the school’s educational mission.

f.   Male students are prohibited from wearing earrings while on school property or while
participating in school activities. Male students are allowed to wear earrings during extra curricular school activities.

g.   Students shall not wear pants that sag or fit below the waist. All pants must fit around the waist and be properly fastened. Pants cannot be worn inside out.

Violation of Dress Code will result in the following:

a.   Students will not be allowed to attend regularly scheduled classes until the mode of dress is acceptable for the educational environment.