Attendance Policy

Philosophy

Regular student attendance represents an essential cornerstone for learning and employability.  The student, the parent/guardian and the school share responsibility for student attendance.  We also must form a partnership between home and school as we assist our youth in making good choices.  Attendance, tardiness and dismissals will be considered when quarterly grades are computed.

It is the position of Upper Cape Tech that a student must satisfy two (2) basic requirements in order to earn class credit:

1. Satisfy academic and shop requirements

2. Satisfy attendance requirements as follows:

Attendance Policy

Definition of Attendance Terms

1. Administratively Excused Absence:  Absence from school certified by a physician, court documentation, death of a relative, or religious holiday.
2. Parentally Excused Absence;  Absence from school with a written verification from parent/guardian.
3. Unexcused Absence:  Absence from school without acceptable written verification.

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Absence

Upper Cape Tech considers regular and full attendance to be essential for all students.  Thus, upon return to school, students who have been absent must bring a signed note from a parent or guardian giving a clear reason for absence.  There will be no exceptions to this policy regardless of age.

Loss of Credit / Grade

1. Administratively Excused Absence:  No loss of credit.
2. A student must not miss more than two (2) academic or two (2) shop days during a quarter.
3. A student who exceeds two (2) unexcused absences in academics and/or two (2) unexcused absences in shop will be required to participate in the after-school program, Pathway to Success, for 10 hours for academics and/or 10 hours for shop.
4. Time and work in Pathway to Success can be done on Monday and Wednesday from 2:15 - 4:15 p.m. and/or with their teacher on Tuesday or Thursday.
5. Report cards will reflect a grade of "Z" for shop and/or all academic courses until Pathway to Success has been completed for that term.
6. Deadline for make-up time in the Pathway program:
   Students must complete time by the end of the next term for the previous term. "Z" grade converts to a "50" or student's actual average if lower [grade not to exceed 50].
7. Students not completing Pathway to Success before the end of the school year will have their final grade for the year computed based on the quarters they have received grades divided by four (4).

Make-up Work

1. Students are responsible to obtain all work missed from their instructors when absent from class.
2. Excused Absences:  Teachers may allow make-up work for partial credit as deemed appropriate.
3. Unexcused Absences and Out-of-School Suspensions:  Students have the opportunity to make up work and receive partial credit as deemed appropriate by the individual teacher.

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Sign In / Out Procedures

Students who enter the building after first period are to sign in at the School Office.  Students who need to leave the building are to proceed to the School Office for sign out.  Students signing out (regardless of age) must submit proper verification prior to first period.  In the case of an 18-year old living away from home, the Principal or designee will assume this role. Failure to sign in or out will result in disciplinary action.

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Tardiness

Late to Class

Student promptness is an important indicator of future success.  This implies being in the room and seated for the final bell.  If a student has in excess of two (2) unexcused tardies, he/she must stay for teacher detention.  In the event a student does not show for teacher detention, he/she will be expected to serve an office detention in addition to the original teacher detention.  The high school staff encourages parent/guardians to emphasize high performance standards in this area.

Late to School

When a student is late to school (tardy), he/she must report to the School Office immediately upon arriving at school for an admit slip before going to class.

When a school bus arrives at school late, all students from this bus will report to the School Office before checking into class.  (Students arriving on a late bus are not considered tardy.)

Excessive tardiness will result in detention, revocation of a student's driving privilege, parental conference and/or disciplinary action necessary to resolve the problem.  If a student has in excess of six (6) hours of tardiness to school, it will count as one day of absence for each six (6) hours, as applied toward the attendance policy. 

Students are responsible to obtain all work missed from their instructors when tardy to class.  A parent/guardian's note does not necessarily excuse a student's tardiness.  The reason for tardiness will be evaluated by the Assistant Principal.

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Dismissals

If a student is excused from class to the nurse due to illness and is subsequently dismissed, the documented dismissal time begins at the time of admittance to the nurse's office.

Time out of class will be taken into consideration in determining absent or present status.  Excessive dismissals will result in detention, revocation of a student's driving privilege, parental conference and/or disciplinary action necessary to resolve the problem.  If a student has in excess of six (6) hours of dismissals from school, it will count as one day of absence for each six (6) hours, as applied toward the attendance policy.  Students are responsible to obtain all work missed from their instructors when dismissed from class. 

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