Fr. Michael Goetz Catholic Secondary School
Attendance Policy
Father Michael Goetz actively encourages and promotes regular attendance. The Ministry of Education has made it very clear that “Where attendance has been identified as an essential component of a course and where a student, with his/her parents, has been appropriately counseled and provided with support and direction to promote regular attendance in the course and where the student is unwilling to attend regularly, such a student will normally fail to achieve credit for the course.”
In the event of any absence the parent/guardian is requested
· to notify the Attendance Office (905-277-0326) the morning of the absence and
· to send a signed and dated written note on the day of return.
If this process is not followed, the absence will be considered a truancy and consequences may be applied.
Bill 52, The Education Amendment Act, Learning to Age 18, 2006:
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.
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.
Once a student turns 18, they may withdraw. Students who are over 18 will be allowed to remain in school provided that their attendance is regular, their behaviour is good and they are experiencing academic success.
Students who have already graduated will be allowed to remain in school for one semester to upgrade on a case by case basis.
Student Procedure
Upon return following an absence, the student is required to obtain an Admit Slip from his/her homeroom teacher in exchange for a parental signed note confirming the absence. If a student does not bring a parental/guardian note, the student will be marked as truant for the days absent.
Sign–In Procedures
A student who arrives at school after 9:00 a.m. must sign in through the Attendance Office.
Sign–Out Procedures
A student who is required to leave at some point in the school day for any reason must obtain a release slip. The release slip will be issued between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. from the Attendance Office upon submission of a dated and signed letter from the parent/guardian. The release slip may be used as an Admit to Class Slip upon return. If a student leaves school without signing out, the absence will be considered a skip. If a student feels ill during the day and wants to leave the school, the student must sign out through the Attendance Office.
Daily Course/Class Attendance
Students who habitually miss class will be held accountable within the evaluation policy because their participation and achievement cannot be fully assessed. A student who is absent from class, for any reason, will be responsible for:
- Obtaining an Admit to Class Slip
- Completion of homework/assignment/notes
- Submission of any due material
The last school day prior to a break or semester end will be considered a normal school day.
Father Michael Goetz has a 5-10-15 day attendance system. All students are informed at the beginning of each course that 15 absences in a course places a student’s credit in serious jeopardy. The 5-10-15 attendance system is for all absences (withdrawal from class due to lateness or uniform infraction, vacations, appointments, parent withdrawal, suspensions). Approved absences due to school activities (retreats, field trips, and athletics) are not included in the 5-10-15 attendance totals.
At 5 absences- in any subject, the subject teacher will contact the parents/guardian to inform them of the attendance profile
At 10 absences- in any subject, a letter will sent by the subject teacher to inform the parent/guardian of the attendance profile. Attendance profile indicates that the credit is in jeopardy.
At 15 absences- in any subject, the administration will review, in consultation with the subject teacher, the attendance profile and contact the parents to inform them that their son/daughter’s credit is in jeopardy and that things are looking very serious.
Trips and Vacations
Although trips and vacations may provide diverse learning experiences, the school does not support academically, travel or vacations during class time. The content covered in each course is important and requires daily attendance. A significant number of absences place a student’s mark and credit in jeopardy due to the loss of instructional time. Also, assessment and evaluation becomes problematic. Exams will not be rescheduled and a mark of zero (0) will be assigned to any examination missed. Please see the attached Assessment and Evaluation Policy of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board which will be enforced consistently in all Dufferin-Peel schools. Also see attached Homework Policy of the Dufferin-Peel CDSB.
(updated June 2009)