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​​24 hour Attendance Line for reporting absences - 306-773-2801 (Option 1)

Email:  scchsattendance@chinooksd.ca​

SCCHS SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY

Philosophy

Students of the Swift Current Comprehensive High School are required to attend school regularly and punctually. Regular class attendance is essential.  Irregular attendance will lower a student's chance of success and disrupt the continuity of the class.

We acknowledge that parent(s)/guardian(s) have the right to permit absences in cases of illness or other circumstances which they may regard as sufficient reasons for permitting an absence.  In making such decisions, parent(s)/guardian(s) assume responsibility for lower marks or failing grades which may result.  It should be noted that under the semester system, each missed day is equivalent to two days under the year system.  Parent(s)/guardian(s) are encouraged to support the school by promoting a positive attitude towards regular attendance and punctuality.

Procedure Following an Absence

1) The school is notified by a parent(s)/guardian(s) of their student's absence and reason for being absent.  It should be noted that absences may not be "excused" after three (3) school days from the date of the student's absence.

2)  Let the school know either on the day of the absence or before, if possible, by phoning the 24 hour automated attendance line (306-773-2801 option #1​) or emailing scchsattendance@chinooksd.ca.

3)  If there has been no phone call or note received at the office within three (3) school days, the student will be classified as "unexcused".

Procedures

Absences from classes are either cleared or uncleared.

1. Cleared absences
   

• School-sponsored activities
• Absences reported by parent(s)/guardian(s).  Parent(s)/guardian(s) will advise the school by 8:30 am on the day that the student will be missing by phoning the 24-hour automated attendance line at (306)773-2801 (option #1).  We prefer parent(s)/guardian(s) report absences on the automated attendance line, as the reported absence will be received directly by the attendance secretary.  Parent(s)/guardian(s) are asked to give the name of the person calling, student's first and last name, the date/time of the absence, and the reason for the absence.

      2. ​Uncleared absences 

• ​Students with uncleared absences can expect their parent(s)/guardian(s) to be called by the attendance office directly or through the automated School Messenger System. If a parent(s)/guardian(s) does not clear the absence it will remain unexcused. ​

For st​udents in Grade 10, 11, 12 the following Attendance Policy has been developed:

SCCHS High School Attendance Policy

For Students in Grade 10, 11, 12

The Education Act states students and parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for regular attendance.

• Section 150.3a states, "Pupils shall attend regularly and punctually."
• Section 156.1 states, "Every parent, guardian or other person having charge of a pupil who is of compulsory school age shall take all the steps necessary to ensure regular attendance of that pupil."

SCCHS has a responsibility to:

• Monitor attendance and inform parent(s)/guardian(s) of problems.
• Provide a process which offers that student a chance to improve attendance.

SCCHS will do this by:

• Taking attendance each period
• Using the automated SchoolMessenger System to inform parent(s)/guardian(s) of daily student absence(s)
• Having the subject teacher call the parent(s)/guardian(s) after the student's third unexcused absence
• Sending a letter home if a student has four (4) unexcused absences in a class or classes
• Attendance Contract

SCCHS recognizes only two kinds of absences, "excused" or "unexcused".  When a student is "excused" from attending class, it does not count against consideration for attendance contracts, credit loss, and suspension.  However, SCCHS reserves the right to seek parent(s)/guardian(s) validation of all absences. 

Disputes about the validities of an absence or absences will be resolved through a consultation process involving: SCCHS Administration, subject teacher(s), parent(s)/guardian(s), and the student.

For an "independent student" that is one who is over 16 and lives away from the family home, SCCHS reserves the right to make the determination as to whether the student is excused or unexcused. 

"Excused" reasons for a student to be away from class are:

Excusable Absence Reasons: (examples include, but are not limited to)

1. Illness (written confirmation may be requested i.e. doctor's note).
    
2. Hospitalization or confinement at home under doctors' orders.
    
3. Medical or dental appointments (written confirmation may be requested).
    
4. Compassionate or sympathetic reasons (i.e. Funeral).
    
5. Attendance at a recognized religious observance.
    
6. When the student's school bus does not run.
    
7. Student participation in a school sponsored trip, competition, or event.
    
8. Court
    
9. Meetings with School Administration or Student Services Staff
    
10. Represents his or her province or country in festivals, athletic events, or once in a lifetime opportunities.
    
     "Personal" is not an excusable reason and will not be accepted by the office.
    
     Any time a student has not been "excused" he/she will be counted as "unexcused". 
    
    These times out of class without permission carry the following consequences:
    
    
    1.   Teacher shall take daily attendance for each period.
    2.   The automatic School Messenger System will be used to inform parent(s)/guardian(s) daily of student absences.
       
    3.   When a student has one (1) or two (2) unexplained (unexcused) absences, the teacher shall discuss the absence with the student at the earliest opportunity.
       
    4.   When a student has three (3) unexplained (unexcused) absences, the teacher shall make contact with the parent(s)/guardian(s) via a phone call or email (a minimum of three (3) contact attempts).
       
    5.   After documenting four (4) unexplained (unexcused) absences, the teacher will refer the student to Administration using an Attendance Referral Form.  A letter informing the parent(s)/guardian(s) of their son(s)/daughter(s) four (4) unexcused absences and potential future consequences will be sent home.  Administration will interview the student, review the student's attendance profile, and take appropriate action.
       
    6.   After documenting five (5) unexcused absences, the student will be placed on an Attendance Contract.
       
    7.   A phone call home by Administration at ten 9(10) unexcused absences will occur, outlining potential future student removal from class.
       
    8.   When the student accumulates eight (8) more unexcused absences, the teacher will refer the student to Administration via an Attendance Referral Form and the student may lose credit for the class.
       
    9.   At a combination of twenty (20) excused and unexcused absences, a review with Administration, parent(s)/guardian(s), and student may occur.

In each and all of the above, the classroom teacher may require the student, outside of regular class hours, to undertake some form of supervised activity related to the absence.  School Administration reserves the same right.  In extraordinary circumstances the subject teacher, in consultation with Administration, may waive certain consequences.

Late Policy

Students are expected to be on time for class regularly. 

There are two types of lates: 

1) Excused late (i.e. appointments, parent cleared, etc.)

2) Unexcused late (i.e. cookies, smoking, visiting, etc.). 

Chronic lateness is unacceptable and consequences will be at the discretion of administration.

Three unexcused lates equals one unexcused absence.

A late becomes an unexcused absence after 15 minutes.

In Physical Education, being unprepared three (3) times equals one (1) unexcused absence.