Student Services - Attendance
Attendance Information at Bishop McNally
Legitimate reasons for reporting absences are, illness, medical and dental appointments, death in the family, and medical emergencies. Students away on approved school activities will automatically be recorded as excused. All other absences are unexcused.
Attendance is one of the most important factors determining success at school. Students must be on time and attend each and every class. Students who miss more than 30 minutes or 50% of a class, whichever occurs first, may be marked absent. Students arriving after that time should seek to amend this situation with the classroom teacher by making up this time during tutorial or at a time arranged with the teacher. A student always remains responsible for classroom work missed during their absence.
Parents and Guardians are advised to contact the school to excuse any absences. Such calls are checked for authenticity. Teacher Advisors monitor student advisees tardiness and absences and will contact parents and guardians if it is habitual. This may result in disciplinary action.
Being Absent Or Late Is “A Big Deal”
Being on time means respect for your school and your classmates
Academic research shows that there is a correlation between student attendance and academic performance. Research also shows that when parents and school are aligned and are working collaboratively, the student’s chance of success is dramatically improved. The steps taken in this process are necessary in ensuring this student is successful in school and is working towards graduation.
BEING ABSENT OR LATE HURTS
Absent:
You are considered ABSENT when you have missed more than 30 minutes of class.
Late:
You are considered LATE when the bell to start class rings and you are not seated at your desk!
Students who are constantly Absent or Late:
Ø Demonstrate disrespect for their teachers and fellow students by disrupting classes
Ø Miss out on valuable learning time and thus do not have the opportunity to reach their full potential
Ø Learn habits of tardiness that are unacceptable in the working world
Ø Promote a school culture in which absences and lates are viewed as being acceptable, consequently promoting others to skip or be late
Ø Neglect the student code of conduct as stated in the Alberta School Act
v “Attend school regularly and punctually”
v “Comply with the rules of the school
STRATEGIES
To be in school and in class on time:
Ø Ride a bus that will get you to school at least 15 minutes prior to school starting
Ø Do not rely on friends to get you to school on time
Ø Move quickly between classes.(Stay away from vending machines)
Ø Eat lunch on school campus
Ø Spend Spare blocks on the school campus
Ø Take pride in being on time Punctuality shows your “attitude”
Ø Be a leader amongst your friends and set positive examples
Ø Make the “Attendance Incentive Program” one of your goals
BEING ABSENT OR LATE HURTS YOU!!
REWARDS OF
Regular Attendance & Punctuality
Arriving on time and attending all classes for school each and every day demonstrates your commitment to learning
You Will:
Ø Achieve higher grades
Ø Graduate from high school in three years
Ø Have better rapport with teachers
Ø Learn habits required by employers in the working world
Ø Have a greater opportunity to develop your gifts and talents
Ø Enjoy a more rewarding and satisfying high school experience
Ø Drop a final exam or your lowest mark through the Attendance Incentive Program
BEING HERE AND ON TIME EACH AND EVERY DAY PAYS “BIG” REWARDS!!
Note: A student who becomes a truancy problem forfeits his/her school privileges as deemed appropriate by the principal.
Each student’s T.A. will monitor absences and lates and will notify parents, counselors and administrators when appropriate. Students are expected to be in school a minimum of 10 minutes prior to school beginning in order to prepare for classes. Students who accumulate an exceptional number of absences may have credits withheld and put their registration at Bishop McNally High School in jeopardy
Parental Responsibilities
Responsibility for regular attendance rests with the student and parents.
Ø Parents must phone the school (293-7707 available 24hrs.) to report absences or lates. Telephone calls from students are not acceptable.
Ø Parents are requested to phone in advance of the absence, if possible; and no later than the day after the absence
(retroactive reporting – more that 24 hours after the first day – may not count as reported excused absences).
Unexcused Absences
At the beginning of each school year, Teacher Advisors will go over the school attendance policy with their students and have them sign a copy of this policy, which will be kept on file.
School Intervention Process
1) Five unexcused absences in any one class – “Teacher Advisor” contacts the parents/guardians.
2) Seven unexcused absences in any one class – “Teacher Advisor” contacts the parents/guardians and a counselor in student services.
3) Twelve unexcused absences in any one class – The Vice–Principal may withdraw the student from the class and will inform the parents/guardians.
4) Students who are withdrawn from a course will be given a spare or if the student’s
mark was above 40% the student will be permitted to do the remainder of the
program at home through our SDS “Independent Studies Program”. Assistance
with the SDS modules can be obtained during our morning tutorial program from
8:15 to 8:45 Monday through Thursday.
If the student is withdrawn from two courses in one term the student will be withdrawn from the school and/or a home study program will be established for the courses the student is passing.
Attendance Incentive Program
Grade 10 and 11 students are able to exempt a final exam based upon excellent attendance. Students who have 3 or less absences (un/execused) may apply for this incentive. Please see your TA for more information.
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