Attendance Policy

Attendance Line – 519-727-4497

* * ST. ANNE'S ATTENDANCE GOLDEN RULE - ALL STUDENTS LEAVING EARLY MUST GO
THROUGH THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE PRIOR TO EXITING THE BUILDING * *

● Many researchers have identified regular attendance as the single, most important
factor in student achievement.

● All classes are compulsory for all students except in the case of illness/medical or
special circumstances such as a school activity.

● Students will not be penalized for missing class due to a school related activity or an
excused absence, but it is the student's responsibility to catch up on work and
assignments missed.

● Grade 9 students are encouraged not to leave the school property during school
hours.

EXTRACURRICULAR AND ATTENDANCE

● Students must attend all classes on the day of an extracurricular activity such as (but
not limited to these activities) a WECSAA game, the Prom or Semi-Formal or the
student will forfeit the right to attend the extracurricular event in any capacity.
NOTIFYING THE SCHOOL OF A STUDENT’S ABSENCE

● When a student misses school or is coming to school late with a valid reason, his/her
parent/guardian must notify the school on the 24 hour attendance line
(519-727-4497) within a 24 hour period, OR

● If a phone call is not possible, upon returning to school the absent student must
present a signed note to the attendance office explaining the absence.

● Notes excusing students from class for an illness or a legitimate
appointment/emergencies must be signed and dated by a parent/guardian.

● Students who fail to clear their absences in a timely manner may be considered
truant from class, and detention(s) may be issued. Should the problem continue,
students will be progressively disciplined.

● Students with excessive absences will be addressed.
SIGNING IN AND OUT OF THE BUILDING

● Students, who arrive late or need to leave school prior to the end of the day, must
go through the attendance office. Even if a call is made indicating that the student
will be late or will be leaving early for a legitimate reason the student must go
through the attendance office. Students will receive an ADMIT TO CLASS slip or an
EXCUSED FROM CLASS slip on these occasions.

● Students cannot leave the school and bring a letter or place a phone call after the
fact. Prior to leaving, as mentioned above, all students must to come to the
attendance office to sign out. Failure to follow this protocol will result in a
detention.

● If a student is in the building they must be in class. A note cannot be written to
excuse a student to study/work in the LCC or cafetorium. Therefore, signing out to
work in another class, in the LCC, or to sit in the cafeteria or atrium is not
permitted.

● If a student is signed out they must leave the building in a timely fashion. Students
cannot be loitering on school property if they are signed out.

● Under no circumstances are students permitted to miss classes without
parent/guardian permission and signing out through the attendance office.

● Students that habitually neglect to follow the sign in/out policy may be issued
detention(s). Should the problem continue, students will be progressively
disciplined.

ILLNESS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

● During the school day, students who are too ill to remain in class are to inform their
teacher and then report directly to the Attendance Office. They will be authorized
to sign out after receiving permission from a parent or guardian.

● Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES is a student permitted to leave school property
without authorization and signing out through the attendance office. Discipline
will follow regardless of the reason.

EXTENDED ABSENCES DUE TO ILLNESS OR VACATION

● A medical note is required for absences of five or more consecutive days or in
instances of 20 or more cumulative absences that puts the credit in jeopardy. It is
imperative to be in class each day as each day missed puts the student at risk of not
attaining their credit.

● Absence due to a vacation outside of normal school vacation times is not in keeping
with education as a priority. Although we recognize that it may occur it is the
responsibility of the student to make up any missed work. For any absences that
will exceed 5 or more school days a Request for Extended Absence must be
completed by the student, their teachers, and signed by parents. If tests or
assignments are scheduled during the time away it is the student’s responsibility to
make arrangements to write the tests or submit the assignments and it may be
expected that these be completed before the vacation begins.

18-YEAR-OLD SIGN OUT PRIVILEGE

● Students 18 years of age or older are permitted 5 sign outs or 5 sign ins per
semester. Otherwise all 18 year olds will sign in or out of the school the same as all
other students.

● Future Policy may allow students 18 years of age or older will be expected to
complete the Over 18 Consent. This consent will allow us to continue to
communicate with your parents and give you 5 emergency sign ins/outs per
semester. If you decide not to sign this consent each absence will be validated
through proof of absence. Medical notes, or dental/medical appointment slips are
examples of acceptable proof of absence. These forms will demonstrate that you
were absence for a legitimate reason as outlined in the Education Act.

● Legitimacy of absence is determined by the school administration.

LATES

● A bell signifies the beginning of class and students are expected to be in their
classroom ready to learn or they may be considered late. On the third late, teachers
will call home informing parents that their child has arrived late to their class and
subsequently may begin receiving detentions if the behaviour does not change.

● On the 4th late, the Vice-Principal will issue an office detention, and a letter will
be mailed home informing parents of the continuing problem.

● On the 5th and 6th late additional office detentions will be issued and the
Vice-Principal may call home or send a second letter.

● Any subsequent lates may result in withdrawal from regular classes and a
suspension may be levied.

● Within the first 5 minutes of class students are to report directly to class. After this
5-minute window students are to report to the attendance office.

● Students without valid reasons such as, but not limited to these reasons, sleeping in,
missing the bus, a long line up at Tim Hortons, or out for lunch, may be issued a
detention.

TRUANCY

● Truancy jeopardizes a student's education and can often lead to other more serious
infractions.

● Students who are truant may receive a detention for their first occurrence.
Successive truancies will result in progressive discipline, and possibly a call or a
letter mailed home informing parents of the situation. Subsequent truancies may
result in an out-of-school suspension. Any further occurrence of truancy may be
reported to the board truancy officer.

● Legitimacy of any absence or lates is at the discretion of school authorities.

ACADEMICS

Students are expected to be present for every test.
Generally tests are announced approximately one week in advance.
It is the student’s responsibility to account for an absence from a test