Regular attendance is an important component of the process of learning and of the evaluation of student achievement. Education is a process. When the process and content of learning is disrupted by irregular attendance, both the individual student and his/her classmates suffer a loss of experience that cannot be entirely regained. Students who habitually miss class will suffer in the evaluation process because their participation and achievement cannot be fully assessed.
To encourage regular attendance, teachers will:
1. discuss attendance with students and parents if it is detrimental to success.
2. make a referral to the appropriate Administrator using the Student Profile and Attendance Record forms which are provided in large staff binders at the beginning of each semester to all staff for all students in each of their classes. These forms are intended to be used as a source of information for the subject teacher, as a record of attendance and a record of discipline concerns of each teacher. They also act as documentation of parental contact. Any referral to the Office must include these so as to assist the Administrator with a history of concerns and the remedial action already used/tried. When referring a student to the Office, the Student Profile and Attendance Record forms are to be used.
In the event of a student absence, the parent/guardian should follow the following procedures:
1. Parent/Guardian should contact the school at 905-824-1025
ext. 68103 by 12:00 pm of the same day if a student is going to be absent for part or all of the day. If the parent/guardian fails to do so the auto dialer will contact the parent/guardian regarding the absence.
2. If the absence has been "parent approved" by a phone call, the student will report directly to class.
3. If the absence exceeds one day, the parent/guardian should keep in touch with the school regarding the absences; the number of days will be noted.
4. If a Parent/Guardian has not called the school on the day of absence, the student must present a signed note to the Attendance Office upon his/her return before an ADMIT SLIP will be given and must be shown to each teacher.
5. Any absence without a legitimate reason will be recorded as a Truancy (skip).
6. Students who are habitually truant (and late) may face suspension. (See Attendance Chart)
7. Parents may contact the school at any time if concerned about their son’s/daughter’s attendance.
Attendance Procedures for Students
Notes: All notes for absences should be brought to attendance before Period 1. Students with notes for a previous day’s absence or for sign- out purposes must report to the attendance office before the start of period 1 to receive an admit to class or sign-out slip. Students who are 18 years of age are responsible for calling in their own absences on the day they are away or producing a note to attendance office on the day they return before period 1. Any notes should come directly to attendance office, not the classroom teacher.
Sign-In/Sign-Out
Any student who arrives after 8:30 a.m. and is late for a class must sign-in with the attendance office to receive an Admit to Class so they will not be marked as absent and receive a call home. Students needing to leave during the day must provide a note/phone call to obtain a sign out slip. Students who leave during their lunch and do not return to school for the remainder of the day without parent permission or a note the next morning will be marked as Absent. Parents must either place a call on the same day or send a note with the student upon return to school.
Students 18 years of age or older who are abusing the sign-out privilege will be referred to their vice-principals and could have the privilege taken away.
Legal Age of Majority
Individuals who are eighteen or over are considered adults in the eyes of the law and, as such, have access to all the rights and bear all the responsibilities of an adult. One of these rights is the right to privacy as defined by The Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy Act(1991). Under this Act the adult’s right to privacy (including release of information with regard to academic, attendance and other school matters) is protected. After a student turns eighteen, this information will not be shared with anyone including parent/guardians without the student’s written consent.
To assist students with this, a letter will be mailed to parents informing them of the status change before the student turns 18. The purpose of the letter is to advise parents of this forthcoming status change. Information items falling into this category include marks, attendance, punctuality, behaviour and discipline and any consequences resulting from these.
On the back of the letter is a form to be completed and signed by a student consenting to the continuation of communication and information between parents/guardians and the school. Until the form is signed and returned to the school’s Attendance Office, all communication with the parent(s) regarding a student will cease after his/her eighteenth birthday.
Students who have attained the legal age of majority (18 years old) may sign their own notes for absences or sign outs as long as they have a valid reason. The same procedures for reporting absences and sign-outs apply to students who are 18 years old or over (i.e. submit absence and sign out notes to your homeroom teacher during Period 1). The school administration reserves the right to ask at any time for proof of valid reason for absences or sign outs.
Bill 52, The Education Amendment Act, Learning to Age 18,
The Education Amendment Act, Learning to Age 18 received Royal Assent on December 20, 2006. This legislation requires that, as of December 20, 2006, all students under 18 years of age be in attendance at school unless they have already graduated or are otherwise excused from attendance at school. Legal reasons for being absent from school (e.g. receiving satisfactory instruction at home or elsewhere) continue to apply.
As a transition provision, 16 or 17 year olds who have not graduated and who stopped attending school before December 20, 2006 are not required to return to school. However, if these students subsequently do return to school, the requirement to stay in school until age 18 will apply to them. Students whose birthdays are between September and December are required to stay in school until the last school day in June of the year that they turn 18. Students whose birthdays are during the rest of the year must stay in school until their 18th birthday. Please note that this exactly parallels the previous rules around the school leaving age for 16 year olds.
The Dufferin-Peel C.D.S.B. remains committed to the success of all students and will continue to offer all available programming to ensure completion of the Ontario Secondary School graduation requirements.
ATTENDANCE SUMMARY CHART
Lates
1st late Teacher speaks to student, reviews expectations and documents event, gives warning
2rd late Teacher consequences, phones parents (except if 18 or over) and documents
3th late Teacher calls home to inform parents (except if 18 or over),and informs VP, assigns consequences and documents
4th late Teacher sends Student Profile Sheet to VP for input and response
Subsequent lates Referral to VP who will determine future action and/or consequences which may result in a suspension.
**If a student demonstrates a change of behaviour, consult with VP regarding appropriate action upon subsequent lates.
Truancy
1st Skip Teacher speaks to student and calls home; assigns consequences and documents.
2nd Skip Teacher informs student that on the 3rd skip a referral to VP will be made; assigns consequences and documents.
3rd Skip VP is informed and Parent is called and a suspension up to 3 days maybe issued
Subsequent Skips VP and Parent/Guardian will determine future actions and/or consequences