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ATTENDANCE POLICIES

Success as a student at West Valley Middle School is closely related to school attendance. The first bell rings at 7:50. Students are expected to be in the classroom with the proper materials before the tardy bell rings at 7:55 a.m. West Valley District Policy 3122 states that regular attendanceis necessary for the mastery of the educational program provided for students of the district. For the complete attendance policy, please go to the “School Board-Policies and Procedures” link on the West Valley School District website, http://www.wvsd208.org. For the purpose of determining eligibility for alternative assessment methods, regular school attendance is defined as no more than six (6) absences, excused and/or unexcused, per trimester in academic classes. Parents and students should be aware that when a student misses more than 6 days in a class, excused or not, it is difficult for the student to earn a passing score in the class. A student’s presence in the classroom on a regular basis is necessary to ensure that the student derives maximum benefit from the class, including the opportunity for interaction with teachers and peers. Homework assignments do not make up for class time. IN-CLASS PARTICIPATION WILL BE PART OF EACH TEACHER’S GRADING POLICY. Homework is given to check for classroom learning. In-class participation points may not be able to be “made-up”.
The only absences that are excused are those specified in District Policy:
*Illness/Doctor’s Appointments (Appointment card or Doctor’s Office Verification are required.)
*Family Emergencies
*Pre-arranged Absences, i.e. appointments, out-oftown trips, planned absences.
Notes from home or phone calls are part of the process for excusing an absence, but the school is ultimately responsible for excusing an absence. WVMS may not excuse every absence, even if there is a note or a phone call from a parent.

ALL ISSUES CONCERNING ATTENDANCE MUST BE TAKEN TO THE OFFICE.

ABSENCES: PARENTS ARE REQUESTED TO CALL THE SCHOOL AT 972-5700 AFTER 7:00 A.M. EACH AND EVERY DAY YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT. On returning to school, the student should report to the office before 7:50 a.m. for an "ADMIT SLIP". If a parent did not contact the office concerning the childs absence, a note explaining the absence is required.

LATE ARRIVAL: The student arriving late to school MUST REPORT TO THE OFFICE TO SIGN IN BEFORE GOING TO CLASS. If a parent does not accompany the student to the office, the student MUST BRING A NOTE FROM THE PARENT EXPLAINING WHY HE/SHE IS LATE. Consequences for repeated tardies are addressed in the student behavior management plan.

APPOINTMENTS: Students planning to check out of school for appointments (dentist, doctor, etc.) are required to bring a note from home in advance of leaving the building. Students will report to the office prior to 7:50 a.m. for an "EARLY DISMISSAL SLIP".

CHECK OUT: PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COME IN TO THE OFFICE TO SIGN THEIR CHILD OUT OF SCHOOL. If someone other than the parent is signing the student out of the building and the alternate’s name does not appear on the student information card, a written note from the parent is required.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: If parent contact is not made (phone call or note) within two (2) days after your child returns to school, the absence will be considered unexcused. Students are expected to be in class on time. When a student’s tardiness becomes frequent or disruptive, the student shall be referred to the principal or counselor. If counseling, parent conferencing or disciplinary action is ineffective in changing the student’s attendance behavior, he/she may be suspended from the class or from school. Students who have chronic tardiness and/or absences, even if excused, may be subject to corrective action. All sanctions imposed for failure to comply with the attendance policies and procedures shall be implemented in onformance with state and District regulations regarding corrective action or punishment.

PLANNED ABSENCES: When a student knows in advance that he/she will be absent for (2) or more days, the student should bring a note from a parent stating the dates and the reason for the absence. The student should present the note to the office and will receive a “PRE-ARRANGED ABSENCE FORM”. The student will then have each of his/her teachers sign the form. Whenever possible, schoolwork should be completed prior to the absence or arrangements made with the teachers to take the homework with you. However, even with the pre-arrangement procedure, students may not be excused for all family vacation requests. The school will take into account the requesting students’ rate of attendance, current and past achievement in classes, and the nature of the classes missed during vacation.

BUS NOTES: THE OFFICE STAFF CANNOT WRITE NOTES FOR STUDENTS TO RIDE A BUS OTHER THAN THE ONE THEY HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED. Students must bring a signed note from home or a parent may FAX the note to the school at 972-5701. Notes are to be taken to the office before 7:50 AM and must be authorized by the office in order for the student to be allowed to ride the alternate bus. TELEPHONE MESSAGES: IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE COMMUNICATE TO YOUR CHILD ANY NECESSARY INFORMATION BEFORE HE/SHE LEAVES FOR SCHOOL IN THE MORNING. If it is necessary to get a message to your child, please call the office prior to 11:00 AM. This allows the office staff to deliver the message during your child’s lunch period, thereby minimizing classroom disruption.

TELEPHONE MESSAGES: PLEASE COMMUNICATE TO YOUR CHILD ANY NECESSARY INFORMATION BEFORE HE/SHE LEAVES FOR SCHOOL. If it is necessary to get a message to your child, please call the office prior to 11:00 a.m. This allows the office staff to deliver the message during your child’s lunch period, thereby minimizing classroom disruption.

HOMEWORK REQUEST

Check Staff web pages for current homework information www.wvsd208.org

1. It is your responsibility to request and make up all class assignments missed during an absence. Some class assignments (labs, activities, field trips, films, etc.) may not be able to be made up. Individual arrangements may be made with the teacher.
2. One school day for each day of absence will be allowed to complete make-up assignments.
3. NO CREDIT will be given for assignments not made up.
4. REQUESTS CAN BE MADE AFTER TWO (2) CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF ABSENCE. Parents may make arrangements to pick up the missed assignments by calling the main office BEFORE 10:00 am. PICK-UP TIME IS BETWEEN 3:00-4:00 P.M. IN THE MAIN OFFICE.