ATTENDANCE POLICY
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The Code of Delaware requires that every person having control of a child between the ages of five and sixteen shall send such child to school each day that school is in session. The Code further acknowledges that there are instances when a child’s absence is not an illegal act by either the child or the person in control of the child. However, it is clearly the expectation of the State of Delaware that children enrolled in school shall be in regular attendance.
The Board of Directors expects those in control of students enrolled in the Academy of Dover be responsible for regular and punctual patterns of attendance and such is expected of all enrolled students.
The Board of Directors recognizes that under certain conditions, absence from school attendance is necessary or appropriate.
The Chief Administrative Officer (Principal) of the School is charged with maintaining a comprehensive system of attendance records. Classroom teachers are to maintain an accurate record of student attendance, absence, and tardiness.
The Board classifies absence from school as either “excused” or “unexcused.”
Students who are absent or tardy from school are responsible for school work missed. It is the student’s responsibility to take advantage of opportunities provided by the teacher to make up work. The student’s grades could reflect failure to make up work missed as a result of absence or tardiness. It is the responsibility of the person in control of a child to send a note to the school on the first day of return from an absence of three or fewer days describing the reason that caused the student to miss instructional time. Absence for three or more consecutive days requires a doctor note.
The following conditions are recognized as “excused” absences:
· Absences associated with student illness
· Absence associated with a family emergency
· Absence associated with a religious holiday
· Absence associated with a subpoenaed court appearance
· Absence associated with an appointment for treatment by a doctor or dentist
· Absence associated with other reasons pre-approved by the C.A.O. (Educational family trip, child/parent court ordered meeting, etc.)
· Absence associated with suspension.
The following are recognized as ‘unexcused’ absences:
· Absences for which no written note was provided
· Absences for more than three days for which a note from a doctor was not provided
· Absences not listed as “excused.”
Being prompt to school goes hand-in-hand with a responsible attendance record. Tardiness can affect student performance. Tardiness that results in a student arriving to class after twelve noon or an early pick up that occurs before twelve noon will be counted as an absence.
A student who is absent from school for unexcused reasons a total of ten days will be referred to truancy court.
Consistent attendance is the key to a great education. We rely so heavily on parents and guardians to send students to school and to instill in them the importance of not just coming every day, but coming to school prepared with materials, dressed properly and with learning in mind. Because this is such an important issue, the following policies and guidelines have been put in place:
**Three or more absences due to illness require a written excuse signed by a health care professional in order for the student to return to school.
*** Families with excessive absences will be referred to Truancy Court.
Methods of Determining Excused Absences
The method of determining excused and unexcused absences shall be left to the discretion of the Chief Administrative Officer or designee. The following are generally accepted:
a. Doctor’s note for sickness.
b. Dentists note for treatment.
c. Parent/guardian note to match a bona fide signature.*
* All absences totaling four (4) consecutive days or more require a doctor’s note on office letterhead.
** Dental and medical appointments scheduled after school hours are more desirable, but the administration will make concessions if appointments must fall during regular school hours. Children should return to school following such appointments if there is time remaining.
Make Up Work
- Students who had an excused absence by the terms outlined above, will have one day to make up work for each day absent. For example, a student absent 2 days will have 2 days to make up work. Any work not made up during the time allowed without prior arrangements will receive a zero (0).
- Students with extended absences or hospital stays will be given appropriate time, to be determined on an individual basis.