Attendance Policy
and Information

Absence

If a child is absent on any given day, a parent or guardian is required to call the school office between 8:00 am - 8:30 am to notify the school of the reason for absence. Failure to do so will result in the school nurse contacting the parent/guardian any time past 8:30 am to verify the absence. These procedures represent a mutual effort to account for the presence of the student during school hours.

Parents will be notified if a child becomes ill during school hours. They are expected to pick up the child as soon as possible. A sick child should not remain in the nurse's office for a long period of time. It is very important that all emergency information be updated periodically.

Upon the student's return to school, he/she must present a written note stating the student's name, the day(s) and date(s) of the absence, along with an explanation for the absence. If a student is absent for five or more days, a doctor's note will be required by the school. Please note that an absence from school will result in an absence from extracurricular activities as well.

Excessive Absence

It is important to note that excessive absence for legitimate reasons may not be used as a cause for retention. However, a student who does not exhibit satisfactory knowledge and mastery of academic material needed to go on to the next grade level, shows a lack of commitment to the education process, or demonstrates other difficulties may be retained for one or all of the above reasons.

Supervision

It is the duty of Sacred Heart School to supervise students during the school day. The responsibility begins at 7:30 am and ends at 2:00 pm. For children enrolled in the After School Care program, this supervision begins at 2:00 pm and ends upon the parent's arrival to pick up the child no later than 5:45 pm.

Tardiness

Students will be considered late if they arrive at school after 7:40 am. Latecomers must report to the office to obtain a late pass in order to be admitted to the classroom. Consistent lateness will warrant a Saturday detention.

Please note that  a child will not be considered late due to the lateness of a school bus.

Family Vacations

Family vacations are not encouraged during the school year. If a student will be on vacation, it is the responsibility of the parent to notify the school when they know their arrangements. Teachers will not be expected to assign work while the student is vacationing. However, each case will be handled on an individual basis.

Truancy

A student who deliberately avoids coming to school is considered truant. Habitual truancy will be reported to the appropriate authority. A student who is chronically truant will be subject to discipline.