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, and
2. Satisfy attendance requirements.
Areas of attendance include, but are not limited to:
* Approval of Excused Absences/Tardies: In all instances, official documentation is required for medical, dental, hospital and court matters. In matters of bereavement of a family member, religious holiday, and other incidents requiring special consideration, a parental/guardian hand-written note will be accepted.
* Signing In/Out and Dismissals: Students signing in or out of school must do so at the school office. Failure to do so and/or excessive tardies or dismissals may result in disciplinary action. Students may not sign themselves out regardless of age. Students being dismissed either by the school nurse or parental note will be released only to persons listed on the student's medical/emergency form.
What is an excused absence? Excused absences may include:
• An illness or injury that prevents the student from attending school.
• Approved college visits ( Forms can be picked up in counseling office )
• A death in the immediate family (parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin) or other significant personal or family crisis.
• Court appearances: Students should present evidence of the requirement of the court appearance.
• Medical or psychological tests during the school day: The parent must show evidence (such as a note from the health center) that the tests could not be scheduled outside of school hours.
• Religious holy days: In order to accommodate the religious beliefs of students, such absences will be excused upon submitting a valid note signed by a parent or guardian.
• Visits to special education schools for students with disabilities.
• Dismissal from school by a nurse: If a nurse dismisses a student from school due to illness,this student is excused from school for 24 hours.
• Students of active duty personnel shall have additional excused absences at the discretion of the District for visitations relative to leave or deployment.
• Other situations: From time to time, situations over which the school, parent, and student have little, or no control may cause absences (for example, transportation that does not operate during inclement weather). These absences are excusable. The principal may use discretion to excuse these types of absences.
Is a suspension considered an absence?
• In cases of suspension, the school will provide an opportunity for the student to maintain academic standing in school by being provided a list of assignments, homework, and tests. Students will be expected to use the time out of school constructively.
What is an unexcused absence? Unexcused absences may include:
• Family vacations: School vacations and holiday periods allow ample time for family vacations.
• Skipping class
• Other situations: From time to time, situations such as “illness of members of an extended family,” or “conflicts with parents’ work schedule” may develop. These are viewed as unexcused absences.
Each absence for this reason is unexcused. School-based rules will regulate make-up work.
