Starting September 9, 2024, SHS has implemented a new attendance policy created to support academic standards and encourage student success. The policy categorizes absences into Exempt, Appealable, and Unappealable, establishing clear guidelines for documentation and consequences to encourage consistent classroom attendance and timely completion of missed work.

Types of Absences 

Absences now fall into three main categories: Exempt, Appealable, and Unappealable. Here’s what each type means:

1. Exempt Absences: These don’t count toward credit loss. Examples include standardized testing, family bereavement, long-term illness, court appearances, religious holidays, school trips, and suspensions. Students can make up work missed on these days for full credit.
2. Appealable Absences: These count toward credit loss but can be excused if the school gets proper documentation within 10 days. Examples include short-term illnesses, college visits, medical appointments, early dismissals, and visits to the school nurse. Documentation (like a note from a parent or doctor) is required.
3. Unappealable Absences: These directly affect credit and can’t be excused. Examples include skipping class, unapproved early departures, family vacations during school time, and excessive tardies. Five or more Unappealable absences in a class mean possible credit loss.

 Documenting  Absences 

To ensure you can make up missed work, it’s essential to document any absence, even if it won’t be exempt. If you’re absent, have your parent or guardian notify the school in writing within 10 days of your return. Without documentation, the absence will be marked unexcused and can’t be appealed. Note: Only the first nine days of Appealable absences can be excused with a parent note; after that, official documentation is required.

Tardiness

 Arriving late counts too! Here’s how it works: Four tardies equals one unappealable absence. Arriving over 15 minutes late to class is also counted as one unappealable absence, even if you stay for the remainder of the class.

Credit Loss

If a student has over 10 Appealable or Unappealable absences in a semester course, or over twenty 20 in a full-year course, they will lose credit for that course. However, students with special circumstances can appeal this loss through the SHS Appeals Board. The board reviews cases based on the documentation provided. If you lose credit due to absences, the SHS Appeals Board can review your case if you provide documentation and demonstrate regular attendance after the credit loss. 

By understanding the guidelines and documenting absences correctly, students and families can work alongside the school to ensure academic progress and maintain credit. For questions or additional support, students are encouraged to reach out to their guidance counselors or administrators.