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Attendance

  • School Board Policy
    • This policy recognizes that regular attendance is the keystone of the instructional process because each and every day of school is important. Thus, if students are to fully realize the opportunities afforded through the educational programs and services of the school district, they must attend school regularly and be on time for classes.
    • The education of children is a complex process involving acquisition of academic facts and information, physical growth and development, social maturation, and emotional development. These functions of growth and development evolve over a period of time, but ongoing expansion, practice, evaluation, and reinforcement are necessary in order to assure full development. This can be accomplished only when students attend school regularly.
    • Frequent or unnecessary absence from class limits a student's opportunity for achievement by disrupting continuity of the instructional process, losing the benefit of interaction with teachers and classmates, and missing the opportunity for guided study. Losses from absence cannot be totally recovered even by extra instruction or make-up work.
    • The responsibility for assuring regular school attendance must be shared among the school, parents, and children. The school must provide programs and services which meet student needs and stimulate active student participation.
    • Parents must provide strong, effective guidance and discipline to assist their children to understand the importance of education and the relationship between success and regular attendance.
    • The student must accept the responsibility for determining his/her own destiny. Parents and schools can assist, but ultimately the student determines his/her own achievement and success.
    • Habits which will carry over to mature adult behavior are developed during the formative years of life. It is an accepted principle that regular and punctual school attendance is fundamental if students are to develop habits of self-discipline and responsibility.
    • It must be recognized that the benefits of regular and punctual attendance will be directly related to each student's academic success and record. The academic achievement, thus grades, may be directly affected by attendance.
    • The Superintendent of Schools is authorized to develop necessary rules and procedures to implement this policy.
    • Note: This policy does not affect official student attendance record keeping. Recording of student attendance for official records is governed by state compulsory attendance laws and procedures.
    • State law authorizes the following activities to count as attendance in school:
      • a. Service as a page in the Indiana General Assembly.
      • b. Service as a precinct worker on election day.
      • c. Appearance in court by subpoena.
      • d. Active duty in the Indiana National Guard.
      • e. Active duty in the Indiana wing of civil air patrol.
      • f. Exhibiting or participating in the Indiana state fair for educational purposes.
  • K-5 Elementary Schools
    • Students must attend school regularly and be on time for classes in order to gain the greatest benefit from the instructional program and to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline, and responsibility.
    • 1. The parent/legal guardian is to notify the school by 8:30am via telephone call or in person in advance of the absence. If we do not hear from home, a call will be made to the home or place of employment to verify a student's absence.
    • 2. In the event of extended or frequent absences because of illness, a doctor’s statement may be required. After three (3) consecutive days of absences because of illness, a doctor’s statement of treatment may be needed to explain any additional days that the student is absent.
    • 3. After three (3) unexcused or unexplained absences, or after a pattern of absences, school personnel should contact the parents in an effort to assure proper attendance.
    • 4. If the student is judged to be truant from school or if the attendance problem persists, the building principal or designee should be notified.
    • 5. When attendance is a concern, the school should make a minimum of three (3) contacts with the parents.
    • 6. If these steps prove ineffective in correcting the problem, the building principal or designee should report the name of the student to the Prosecutor’s Office. A child under the age of eleven (11) should be considered to be absent as a result of educational neglect and the parents held responsible, subject to Circuit Court jurisdiction.
    • 7. Conversations with parents and students should be documented and kept for future use of the building principal or designee.
    • 8. Truancy is defined as unexcused or unapproved absence from school or class period. Being at school but not attending class is considered truancy.
    • 9. All students enrolled in the Metropolitan School District of Mt. Vernon is subject to these rules and regulations regardless of age.
    • 10. A student may not leave school any time during the normal school day without permission from his/her parent/guardian and the principal or his designee. The student is to “sign out” in the office prior to leaving school.
    • 11. Tardiness, late arrival at school or class, is to be handled by the school office. Excessive tardiness may be considered to be truancy and dealt with accordingly.
    • 12. Excused or accepted absences shall include the following types:
      • a. Personal illness or injury.
      • b. Severe illness or death in the immediate family.
      • c. Medical, dental, optical appointments which cannot be scheduled outside of the school day. The school may require verification of appointments with a statement from the doctor.
      • d. Other unavoidable, unusual, or emergency conditions that will be determined by the principal either in advance of or on the day of the absence.
      • e. A student may be excused to participate in a religious service or observation with notification from his/her parent/guardian in advance of the absence stating the purpose, date, and length of absence.*
      • f. Students may be absent to attend the funeral of a friend or relative. The parent/guardian must notify the office.*
      • g. Students may not be considered absent while participating in any school sponsored activity or event.*
      • h. A written statement from the sponsoring official verifying participation is required upon return to school when a student serves as a Page in the General Assembly or serves as a precinct worker on Election Day. *The absence is excused or accepted only for the length of time of the appearance/appointment and reasonable travel time.
    • 14. Unexcused or unacceptable absences shall include but are not necessarily limited to the following types.
      • a. Family vacation/trips
      • b. Babysitting
      • c. Automobile trouble
      • d. Work
      • e. Oversleeping
      • f. Missing the bus
      • G. Personal business
    • 15. Since the nature of the educational process changes and the degree of responsibility of students for their own development increases as students’ progress through the grade levels, make-up work when students are absent shall be handled as follows in the elementary grades:
      • a. Each teacher will work with individual students to assist them as needed to acquire necessary skills for continuous academic development.
      • b. Make up or extra work will be assigned as deemed appropriate by teachers.
  • Junior High School
    • Students are expected by the state laws to be present at school every day unless they are properly excused. Irregularities in attendance may result in students missing portions of class information which cannot be recovered. Success at school, like success on any job, requires dependable and prompt attendance. Poor attendance reflects in student grades and is a consideration in retaining a student at the same level for a second year. Students who miss on a regular basis may be required to have a doctor’s note for each absence. Regular attendance is the responsibility of the parent and student. If a student is not in attendance during the day, the student may not attend extracurricular events after school without the permission of the principal.
    • ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE
      • If a student is absent from school, a telephone call from a parent or guardian is required. Every effort should be made to call before 9:30 A.M. The office will be open at 7:30 A.M. each day. The school telephone number is 812-833-2077; ask for the nurse. If we do not hear from home by 9:30 A.M., a call will be made to the home or place of employment to verify a student's absence.
      • A note signed by the parent or legal guardian explaining the nature of the absence is required when the student returns to school if we are unable to make contact by phone on the day of absence.
      • If a student is not called in, a parent can not be reached, nor a note is received that absence will be counted as truant.
      • If a student is absent from school the day of an extracurricular activity, that student may NOT attend the activity. Special circumstances may be waived by the principal.
    • TARDIES
      • Students have sufficient time to pass from one class to another. Reporting on time with proper materials is important. Each teacher will record tardiness for each student on a daily basis. Teachers are authorized to deal with student tardiness on an individual basis including, but not limited to, requiring the student to attend make up sessions, and assigning detention, and assigning written exercises.
      • At such times as the teacher feels that the tardiness has become excessive, the student may be referred to the assistant principal's office for further disciplinary action.
      • Tardies will affect the perfect attendance award/incentive.
      • If a student is late to school, he must report to the nurse to sign in and secure a pass to enter class.
      • Habitual tardiness to school becomes a discipline matter and may be turned over to the building principal or designee.
      • Students will make-up excessive tardiness to school by sitting detention before or after school.
    • TRUANCY
      • Failing to report to assigned classes, or absences which occur without the knowledge or permission of a parent/guardian, are considered truancies.
      • If you are truant from school or any portion thereof, you will be required to make-up an appropriate amount of time before school hours and after school hours.
      • The student is expected to ask for all homework and other appropriate make-up.
      • Any student who is determined to be habitually truant as defined by policy, cannot be issued an Indiana Operator's License or Beginner’s Permit until the age of 18 years of age or until the prohibition is removed upon recommendation of the principal to the Board of Trustees.
    • LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY
      • Students who have doctor or dental appointments during a school day are expected to attend classes during those periods that they are not traveling to and from the appointment.
      • When students have appointments, parents must call or send a note to the office stating the date, time, and place prior to the appointment. The student will be issued an "Excuse to Leave the School Grounds" pass.
      • The issued pass should be presented to the teacher at the beginning of the class period in which a student will be excused. The student should report to the nurse's office and sign the checkout sheet after receiving permission to leave.
      • The student should present a form signed by the dentist, doctor, etc., upon his return to school.
      • Under no circumstances may a student leave the school without signing the checkout sheet. No student will be allowed to check himself out, walk home, or leave the school campus with a friend or relative without confirmed parental permission. Upon returning to school the same day, you must sign in.
      • Mt. Vernon Jr. High has a closed campus policy. Once you arrive at school, you shall not leave the school grounds until dismissed at the end of the day.
    • ATHLETICS/EXTRACURRICULARS
      • A student-athlete who is unable to attend school is also unable to attend extracurricular activities later in the day.
      • A student who is unable to participate in a physical education class may not participate in athletics, cheerleading or intramurals.
      • A student who is suspended externally may not participate in an activity during the suspension process.
  • Senior High School
    • The attendance policy at Mt. Vernon High School is based on the premise that something important happens each day in each class of every school day. The faculty and staff believe there is a direct relationship between good attendance and successful academic achievement. The attendance and study habits, both good and bad, which are formed during these high school years tend to carry over into the adult years once students graduate from MVHS. A successful attendance program takes the efforts of parents, students, and school staff.
    • The following policy has been developed to promote a high standard of good school attendance.
    • Reporting
      • To report an absence, a student’s parent/guardian should utilize the online reporting system. Go to www.mvschool.org/hs-home then click on the Purple “Report an Absence” Icon.
      • To be released early for an appointment please fill in the form, at least 30 minutes early, at www.mvschool.org/hs-home then click on the Purple Report an Absence Icon. This website is monitored frequently and when used in advance will expedite the pass being presented to the student. If the website is not accessible, please call the school nurse (812-833-5917) in advance. If this is not possible, please present an appointment card in advance to the nurse or a written note, dated and signed by your parent/guardian. The nurse will prepare a pass to be presented to your teacher. This provides an opportunity for you to leave class with sufficient time to make your appointment. ALWAYS sign out in the nurse’s office before leaving the building. Following your appointment, sign back in prior to returning to your class.
    • 7-DAY ABSENCE/ATTENDANCE POLICY:
      • 1. A FOUR-DAY ATTENDANCE NOTICE will be issued to every student who reaches four absences in a class within a semester. The teacher will verbally notify the student who has reached 4 absences in that particular class, reinforce the importance of good attendance, and have the student sign the ATTENDANCE NOTICE. A copy of the report will be sent home by mail. A copy will be sent to the office for the student's file, and a copy will remain with the classroom teacher. The teacher will continue to notify the student of the number of absences accumulated after the four day notice.
      • 2. A SEVEN-DAY ATTENDANCE NOTICE will be issued to every student who reaches seven absences in a class. A semester absence of seven days from any class will place the student in a failing status. This report will be sent by mail to the parent. The student will remain in the class and will be given verbal notice of the failing status by the classroom teacher. If the student feels that justifiable or extraordinary circumstances have contributed to exceeding the seven day limit, the student may appeal to the teacher for credit. This appeal may be granted if the following conditions have been met:
        • a. The Appeal Form has been completed and returned to the teacher by the due date specified on the form.
        • b. Attendance after the seven-day limit has been satisfactory.
        • c. Appropriate doctor statements, if applicable, have been filed with the school attendance officer.
        • d. All class work has been satisfactorily completed.
        • e. All class objectives have been accomplished.
        • f. The student is academically passing the class. An absence count will start only upon a student's first registered day in a class.
    • TRUANCY
      • Failing to report to assigned classes, or absences which occur without the knowledge or permission of a parent/guardian, are considered truancies.
      • If you are truant from school or any portion thereof, you will be required to make-up an appropriate amount of time before school hours and after school hours.
      • The student is expected to ask for all homework and other appropriate make-up.
      • Any student who is determined to be habitually truant as defined by policy, cannot be issued an Indiana Operator's License or Beginner’s Permit until the age of 18 years of age or until the prohibition is removed upon recommendation of the principal to the Board of Trustees.
      • Absences which are due solely to hospitalization, long-term home illness, or absences which occur due to the necessity to see a medical doctor, will not count against the seven-day limit if parents provide the school with a written doctor's excuse immediately upon the student's return to school (immediately shall be interpreted as within 24 hours).
      • Class absence, as a result of approved school activities, will not count within the seven-day limit. Examples of approved school activities would include field trips, approved senior college visitation days, and other such absences that are approved by school administration.
      • Class absence, as a result of internal or external suspension, will not count against the seven-day limit.
    • STUDENT APPEAL FOR CREDIT PROCEDURE (due to attendance)
      • 1. Teachers will give verbal and written notice to all students who have reached seven absences in their class.
      • 2. Teachers will issue a Student Appeal for Credit form to all students in their classes who have exceeded the attendance policy and have been placed in a failing status. Teachers will fill in the number of absences and the due date for the form to be returned at the time they give the form to the student.
        • NOTICE: Forms will be handed out and due dates set within the last 1 1/2 to 2 weeks before the end of the semester. If the student exceeds the attendance limit after the deadline, the due date of the appeal for credit form will be extended for up to one week after the last absence.
      • 3. Students will have the opportunity to explain and validate their attendance record on the remainder of the form, which then must be signed by the student and a parent or guardian.
      • 4. The student will return the form to his/her teacher prior to, or on the due date, for teacher consideration.
      • 5. The attendance committee will review all Student Appeal for Credit forms.
      • 6. Following a favorable review by the attendance committee of the appealing student's attendance, the decision to grant credit rests with the teacher. The teacher is the one who sets the class objectives and must be the one to determine if those objectives have been met. Students will not be notified concerning the determination of their appeal until after the final exam.
      • 7. Students who lose their credit as a result of the appeal decision have a right to due process and may appeal to the attendance committee through the principal. Students must provide the attendance committee with reasons why credit should be granted. Reasons must be in writing.
    • ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE
      • The Mt. Vernon High School Attendance Committee will function to:
        • 1. monitor and review the Attendance Policy, and
        • 2. review the attendance of individual students requesting an Appeal for Credit. The Attendance Committee will include one administrator, the school nurse, teachers, and a parent. When the Attendance Committee meets to review the Attendance Policy, the committee will also include two students.
    • COLLEGE VISITATION DAYS
      • Seniors and Juniors who intend to enroll in a college, university, or technical school after graduation from Mt. Vernon High School may be granted two days for the purpose of visiting such campuses and speaking to school personnel.
      • PROCEDURE:
        • 1. The guidance office is notified in advance by the parents via phone or in person that they desire their son or daughter to visit a particular campus.
        • 2. Prior to the absence, the student completes a COLLEGE VISIT REQUEST FORM in the guidance office. A copy of the completed form is given to the nurse.
        • 3. Upon the return to school from the visit, the student will present a verification of the visit written by an official of the visited institution. The verification of the visit should be written on letterhead stationery. Most colleges and universities do this as a matter of practice.
    • MAKE UP WORK
      • All students are expected to complete all assignments missed due to an absence from any class. Assignments and tests which are completed by expected time limits will receive full credit.
      • Absence/Truancy or External Suspension: Absences due to truancy and external suspension have the same expectation for the completion of class works as any other absence.
      • Students will receive 50% credit for the completion of missed assignments when the absence is due to a truancy or external suspension.
      • The following guidelines are set with the intention of encouraging students to make up work missed due to an absence in a timely manner:
        • 1. After an absence, a student should contact all of his/her teachers to make arrangements for making up missed work. These arrangements should be made at or before the next meeting of the missed class.
        • 2. Teachers and students are encouraged to make use of supervised study periods for completion of make-up work.
        • 3. Students are encouraged to contact teachers before school to request make-up assignments.
        • 4. Students are to be allowed one day for make-up for each day missed.
        • Examples: A student is absent Tuesday (Maroon). He/she should make arrangements for make-up work on or before Thursday (Maroon) and have it completed by the following Monday (Maroon). A student is absent Tuesday (Maroon) and Thursday (Maroon). He/she should make arrangements for make-up work on or before the following Monday (Maroon) and have it completed by Friday (Maroon).