5200B - ATTENDANCE – MIDDLE SCHOOL

Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools

Administrative Guidelines

5200B - ATTENDANCE – MIDDLE SCHOOL
MISSION STATEMENT

The staff of Jasper Middle School is committed to continuous improvement in all aspects of the school. The primary focus of Jasper Middle School is the improvement of student abilities in mathematics and language arts.

We believe the school’s mission is to provide students opportunities for valuable learning experiences and citizenship development in a caring environment of high expectations, positive attitudes, and successful results. We accept the responsibility for guiding all students toward the fulfillment of their potential. This requires the cooperation of the learner, the family, the community, and society.

SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS

Building principals may make written rules that are validly adopted by the Board of School Trustees and establish written standards governing student conduct. Building principals may take any action that is reasonably necessary to carry out or to prevent an interference with carrying out any educational function.

NOTE:	Where the term parent is used this means custodial parent or legal guardian.

CLOSED CAMPUS

We operate on a closed campus policy. Students must stay on the school grounds from the time they arrive until dismissal or until they are picked up by the bus or by parents. If it is necessary for a student to leave campus for any reason, request must be made in writing by parent/guardian. Written requests should be submitted to the office for an early dismissal permit.

EARLY ARRIVALS

Upon arriving at Jasper Middle School in the morning, students should report to their designated area. Students who walk or ride bicycles to school should not arrive before 7:45 a.m. and should leave school property immediately after school. Students who are bussed will be able to unload and go directly to their designated area. A bell will ring at 7:50 a.m. to signal 6^th grade students to their first class. Another bell will ring at 7:51 a.m. to signal 7^th grade students to their first class and a bell will ring at 7:52 to signal 8^th grade students to their class. All students should be in their first class by the next bell at 8:00 a.m. Students should not be in the halls without a pass from a staff member prior to their designated time. Students needing to go to the office before school may do so without a pass.

BUS RULES

Students should be on time at the designated school bus stops and should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to enter. Students are required to obey all school bus safety regulations as communicated by the bus driver. Transportation to and from school is a privilege extended to the students of Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools. Students who cannot abide by the rules and regulations may be denied the privilege of riding the bus. This includes obeying rules while waiting for the bus after school. Students may not operate motorized vehicles to or from school.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

Indiana State law requires regular school attendance. Each parent and student must accept responsibility for the student’s attendance. A parent must report the child’s absence by calling school (482-6454) before 10:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. If a phone call is not received, school officials will attempt to contact a parent by calling home, work, or emergency number provided by the parent. A reasonable effort will be made to contact a parent, but the failure to do so does not relieve the parent of the responsibility for the student’s attendance and/or reporting the absence. Students returning to school from an absence must report to the office.

Classification of Absences

	A.	Excused Absences: Excused absences and tardies: (1) personal illness, (2) death in the immediate family, (3) home emergencies or other conditions where parents make arrangements which are approved by the principal, (4) exclusion because of exposure to contagious disease, and (5) exceptions as designated by law. Excused absences (except those allowed by law) are recorded. Make-up work is allowed if completed in a reasonable time.
		In the event of extended or recurring illness, a written note from a physician or a "Certificate of Child’s Incapacity" will be required.

B. Unexcused Absences: All absences and tardies not defined in #A above or in the law shall be considered as unexcused. (Examples of more common unexcused absences are work, missing bus, trips, car trouble, oversleeping, and truancy.)

1. Unexcused Absence WITH Make-up Credit: See #A3 above where there is an arrangement with the school before the absence occurs and where approval has been granted. Examples of unexcused absence WITH make-up credit are family trips approved in advance, religious activities and holidays approved in advance, and verified emergencies. Make-up work credit is allowed. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for make-up work prior to the absence. In order to receive credit, assignments must be completed and submitted when the student returns to class.

2. Unexcused Absence WITHOUT Make-up Credit: Examples include truancy, work, etc. Make-up work may be expected for educational development, but credit may or may not be applied to class grade.

C. Truancy: A student will be considered truant when the absence from school or class is without the knowledge and approval of a school administrator and parent. A student who is found to be truant for the third time in a school year is considered a habitual truant.

School Activities: Students who are absent for more than one-half (1/2) of the school day may not attend after school activities the same day unless permission is granted by the principal.

E. Early Dismissal: Students may leave the school building or school grounds during the regular hours of school when written permission from a parent and approval of the school principal have been obtained.

Notification and Penalty

Jasper Middle School students must demonstrate mastery of the essential skills in order to earn promotion to the next grade level. However, a student who misses thirty (30) days or more in any one (1) year cannot earn promotion to the next level or grade. Students in grades 6-7 may be "assigned" to the next grade if they have demonstrated mastery of the essential skills but have missed thirty (30) days of school. Students in grade 8 must demonstrate mastery and have acceptable attendance in order to move to the high school level.

Due Process

	A.	FIVE (5) DAYS OF ACCUMULATED ABSENCE WITHIN ONE (1) GRADING QUARTER
		Written notice to parent from the administration.
	B.	TEN (10) DAYS OF ACCUMULATED ABSENCE
		Written notice to the parent from the administration.
	C.	FIFTEEN (15) DAYS OF ACCUMULATED ABSENCE
		Written notice to the parent from the administration and contact from a counselor. A conference will be set up when necessary.
	D.	TWENTY (20) DAYS OF ACCUMULATED ABSENCE
		Written notice to the parent from the Corporation attendance officer directing a parent conference.
	E.	THIRTY (30) DAYS OF ACCUMULATED ABSENCE
		Written parent notice of non-promotion and right of hearing. Written report sent to the Dubois County Child Protection Service and/or Juvenile Court. A determination of non-promotion does not exempt a student from school attendance.

HOMEWORK

Homework is assigned to reinforce skills and techniques learned in the classroom. Students who are absent are responsible for finding out what assignments they have missed in order to get make-up work completed. Jasper Middle School’s policy requires that, upon return, students will be allowed one (1) day for each day of excused absence to make up their homework.

The staff will not acquire homework for a student unless the student has been or is expected to be absent for three (3) days or more. Requests must be made by parent before 8:30 a.m. for collection on the third day.