• Attendance

    Effective for this school year, USA’s attendance policy has been revised to in part send the message that outstanding attendance is not only required but expected, as we know that academic success and consistent attendance (90% or greater) go hand-in-hand.

    Attendance Policy:

    Only absences caused by illness/injury (verified by a doctor) that prevent the student from attending school, a death in the immediate family or other significant personal or family crisis, medical or psychological appointments that cannot be scheduled at other times, court appearances, religious holy days, or college campus visits (verified by a college admissions official) may be excused. Simply bringing a note from a parent/guardian - although appreciated - without accompanying documentation (e.g., a doctor’s note) will not excuse an absence. Official documentation of absences should be provided to Ms. Giblin in the main office.

    Students with more than three unexcused absences per term will receive a grade of NC if they are otherwise passing a class. A grade of NC will only be changed back to the letter grade earned if a student has fewer than 12 unexcused absences at the end of the year or passes the course’s final exam.

    *Note that three unexcused tardies is equal to one unexcused absence.

    Attendance “Buy-Back” Policy:

    Students with unexcused absences can “buy” them back by doing the following:

    1) Being on-time for five CONSECUTIVE days, with no behavioral issues. All teachers will sign-off on an “Attendance Buy-Back” form and meet with the student on the Friday of the end of the buy-back week to show the growth that has been shown by a student to show how well they do when they are in school/class consistently. Students who accomplish this feat will be able to “buy back” one unexcused absence.

    2) Participating in the After-School Program Teachers who work with you after school will sign off on an “Attendance Buy-Back” form. Students can “buy back” one unexcused absence for every three After-School Program days they attend.

     

    Tardiness to Class

    If you are tardy to class, meaning you are not in your seat by the end of the bell

    after being marked present for the day, you must follow the steps below to make up the learning time you missed. Below you will find the steps followed and consequences for tardies. Notes that the number of tardies will reset every term.

    First Tardy

    1.Sign in on the tardy sheet 2.Write the time you arrived to class 3.Record the total class time you missed

    Second Tardy

    1.Sign in on the tardy sheet 2.Write the time you arrived to class 3.Record the total class time you missed 4.Write a few sentences in the appropriate place explaining why you were

    late.

    Third Tardy

    1.Sign in on the tardy sheet 2.Write the time you arrived to class 3.Record the total class time you missed 4.Write a few sentences explaining why you were late. 5.You will serve a 30 minute detention* with your teacher. 6.Teacher will notify parent or caregiver of repeated tardies.

    Habitually Tardy

    1.Sign in on the tardy sheet 2.Write the time you arrived to class 3.Record the total class time you missed 4.Write a few sentences explaining why you were late. 5.You will serve a 30-minute detention* with your teacher for every tardy

    beyond your third tardy. 6.Teacher will notify parent or caregiver of repeated tardies. 7.Teacher will refer you to Student Support Team to determine how to help

    resolve your ongoing tardy issue.

    * See detention policy section for greater detail about how detentions are served and the consequences for skipping a mandatory scheduled detention.