Attendance Policy and Procedures

ATTENDANCE POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Studies have shown that there is a general correlation between attendance and achievement. For this reason Nepean High School believes that good attendance is crucial for academic success. Students are required to attend school until they complete their high school diploma or reach the age of 18.

Students are expected to attend school regularly and to attend all classes when at school. Nepean High School believes that good attendance is crucial for academic success. Students absent from class are responsible for making arrangements with their subject teachers for all material covered during their absence, including tests and assignments. All notes for absences will be kept on file.
• Students who know they will be away are requested to bring a note to the office beforehand. Otherwise, a telephone call to the school by the parent at 722-6551 as early as possible on the day of the absence would be helpful. With a phone call, a note is still required when the student returns.
• On their return to school after a justified absence, students are required to bring a note signed by a parent/guardian indicating the date(s) of the absence, and exact reason for their absence. Students are required to show this note to all of their teachers and then turn the note in to the office.
• Justified / Authorized Absences are due to:
• illness
• medical/dental appointments
• family reasons, such as death, illness, or emergency
• authorized field trips or interscholastic events
• religious holidays
• extenuating circumstances

• An unjustified or unauthorized class absence will be deemed a “skip”.
• Detention Room:
Two detentions will be assigned as the consequence for one skipped class - detentions are assigned by all course teachers on first and any subsequent skip. Assigned detentions will be 30 minutes in length and will be served in the detention room. Students may not bring food, drinks, electronic equipment (e.g. ipods, cell phones), and must bring work or reading material. Non-compliance will result in the detention being viewed as skipped.
• Students who have more than five unauthorized absences will be referred to their Vice Principal by the subject teacher. The Vice Principal will apply a series of consequences such as serving detentions, letters to parents, student contracts, tracking sheets, community service and suspensions from school. In the case of chronic unauthorized absences, students are putting their credit in jeopardy and risking withdrawal from the course.
• Sign-Ins: Students must go directly to class if they arrive late to school. Students who sign out and return before the end of the day must sign back in at the main office.
• Sign-Outs: Students who need to leave the school during the school day, including the noon hour, must report to the Main Office to sign out. Students need to have a note from their parents permitting the student to sign-out. If students do not have a note, parents will be telephoned by the office. Students are required to show this note to their teachers and then turn the note in to the office when they sign out.
• Where parents or guardians cannot be contacted, the students will need the permission of the Principal or Vice Principal to leave.
• Lates: Students are expected to be on time for all classes. Students who are habitually late do a disservice to themselves, to other students, and to their teachers. Teachers will apply appropriate disciplinary measures and will notify parents and administration accordingly for the first five lates. Students who have more than five lates will be referred to their Vice Principal by their subject teacher. The Vice Principal will apply disciplinary action similar to unjustified or unauthorized class absences.
• Students Who Sign Their Own Notes: Students who are 18 years of age and older may wish to accept a greater degree of responsibility concerning their education and conduct at school. This responsibility includes the signing of notes, option sheets and other routine school documents. Students who sign their own notes should be aware that the reasons which justify absenteeism do not change. Please be advised that the school administration reserves the right to contact parents / guardians in respect to educational concerns.