Definition of excused and unexcused absence

Eustis High School Attendance Policy


Attendance is extremely important to your student’s success at Eustis High School. Please take time to review this attendance policy with your student.

1. DEFINITION OF EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCE

Excused absences include: medical, court, AFTs (see #4 definition below), death in family, or exceptional circumstances. Absences shall be documented with doctor’s notes, court notices, or other authorized documentation to verify the absence.

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  Three (3) absences using parent notes per 18 week TERM will be excused.
  
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  All other absences will be counted as unexcused.
  
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  More than three (3) excused absences per SEMESTER is considered excessive, and a written statement from a licensed practicing physician verifying an illness or an injury must be provided, at that point the absence will be excused.
  
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  After 2 and prior to 4 unexcused absences within a semester, a designated school representative shall give written notice to the parent or guardian.
  
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  PLEASE REMEMBER: Once a student has 4 or more unexcused absences within the semester, it will result in a maximum grade of 59 in that course (see #3-Disincentive for Excessive Absences).
  
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  Missing 15 minutes or more of a class constitutes an absence.
  
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  Definition of Attendance Periods: GRADING PERIOD = 4 ½ weeks; SEMESTER = 9 weeks; TERM = 18 weeks
  

2. INCENTIVE FOR GOOD ATTENDANCE:

Participation points shall be awarded and applied to semester exam. Points are based on classroom attendance (see scale below).

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  0 days absent 9 points added to exam
  
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  1 day absent 6 points added to exam
  
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  2-3 days absent 3 points added to exam
  
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  4 or more days absent 0 points added to exam
  

Example: A student with a 79 on his/her semester exam and 0 absences would have 9 participation points added to his/her semester exam grade making it an 88/B. EOC exams are EXCLUDED from this incentive as they are State Mandated.
3. DISINCENTIVE FOR EXCESSIVE ABSENCE:

Four (4) unexcused absences will result in a failing grade affecting the semester grade only. The student would earn a 59, but would still be able to take exams for full credit. The student would still be able to pass a class depending upon the exam grade.

4. ACADEMIC FIELD TRIPS (AFTs)

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  An AFT is defined as an event in which a student is participating in a school sponsored event under the auspices of a teacher.
  
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  4 AFTs per term would be allowed unless there is prior administrative approval
  
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  AFT forms must be turned in to the office at least 2 days prior to the trip.
  
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  AFTs do not count against a student earning participation points. The student is not considered absent from class.
  

5. TIME ALLOWED FOR MAKE-UP WORK

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  Teachers must provide students at least 2 days to make up work when a class is missed. Time can be extended at the teacher’s discretion. (this does not apply to AFT’s and suspensions—work must be turned in on the day of return)
  

* Long term assignment due dates and late penalties will be in accordance with the individual teacher’s grading procedures.
6. SUSPENSION DAYS

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  The 1st suspension does not apply toward the 4 unexcused absences affecting the semester grade. Any subsequent suspensions will count toward the 4 days.
  
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  Make-up work is allowed for credit for 1st suspension only. No make-up work will be accepted for credit for subsequent suspensions, but we strongly urge all students to make up work missed.
  

7. PROCEDURE FOR STUDENT RETURNING FROM ABSENCE

Upon returning to school, students are to report to the attendance office with a note or other appropriate documentation. Students must turn in a note or other documentation explaining an absence within 48 hours of the student’s return to school. Otherwise the absence will be considered as unexcused. If this is the case, the student will be considered truant and appropriate consequences will be administered. (For example: One school day truant = 2 Saturday Schools.)
8. TARDY POLICY – Per Semester = 9 weeks

All tardies are considered unexcused unless excused by a note from school personnel.

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  1st tardy No note – Teacher warning
  

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  2nd tardy Teacher Discretion - Teacher to contact parent
  

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  3rd tardy Equals one (1) unexcused absence - Teacher notifies student and parent
  

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  4th tardy Administrative Referral-Administrative Detention
  

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  5th tardy Administrative Referral-Saturday School
  

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  6th tardy Equals second (2) unexcused absences - Administrative Referral
  

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  7th tardy Administrative Referral – Out Of School Suspension – Insubordination
  

Administration will notify parents for the 4^th tardy and beyond

9. EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND ATTENDANCE:

To participate in or to attend an extracurricular activity, a student must be present in school for at least 2 full periods of the school day. Students with excessive unexcused absences will not be allowed to participate or attend Eustis High School extra-curricular activities or sporting events. Excessive absences include students who have fifteen (15) or more absences in a ninety-day period.
10. ADMINISTRATION OF ATTENDANCE POLICY:

The Attendance Office, under the supervision of the school’s administration, is allowed the flexibility to design the paperwork, procedures, and the coordination with the guidance office in the implementation of the Attendance Policy.