ATTENDANCE

Students will be considered “virtually present” if they meet a minimum criteria for participation for each class. There are a variety of measures that may be used to determine if a student participated online, virtual at-home, blended or competency-based learning including, but not limited to:

1) evidence that validates student learning,

2) evidence that validates student participation,

3) evidence that validates student communication, or

4) duration/frequency minimums for student participation.

5) daily zoom engagement

Students who fail to meet the minimum criteria for “virtually present” will be marked absent for the class period.

AA432 – Student Attendance and Teacher Disclosure Statements

    Utah Compulsory Attendance Law 53G-6-202

Attendance Policy Goals: The Kelsey Peak Middle School attendance policy will help students achieve success in their courses as well as accomplish the following goals:

• Develop student responsibility
• Develop quality citizenship
• Increase respect for teachers, other students, and learning
• Prepare for future employment

Attendance Responsibilities:

The Role of the School and Administration

• The administration shall identify students with attendance issues and work cooperatively with parents and students to improve attendance.
• The administration shall use earnest and persistent effort to improve student’s attendance.
• The administration shall announce random tardy sweeps during class breaks. Students late for class during a tardy sweep will be required to serve an after-school detention (ASD).

The Role of the Attendance Office

• The attendance office shall keep administrators and parents informed of attendance problems.
• The attendance office shall notify parents of excessive absenteeism by phone message, calling machine, or letter.
• The attendance office shall review attendance daily and resolve discrepancies in student attendance records.
• The attendance office shall provide check-in/check-out slips upon authorization by a student’s parent/guardian.

The Role of the Teacher

• Teachers shall keep accurate roll of all absences and tardies.
• Teachers shall emphasize the importance of punctuality by beginning class promptly with meaningful instruction.
• Teachers shall discuss attendance issues with students as they arise and inform the school administration if attendance does not improve.
• Teachers shall begin class with a “starter” in order to gain student focus.
• Teachers shall participate with the administration in random unannounced tardy sweeps. Students will be assigned an ASD if late to class during a tardy sweep.

The Role of the Student

• Students shall gain the most of their educational experience by regularly attending and being on time to all classes.
• Students shall be present in assigned or designated areas at all times.
• Students shall follow proper check-in/check-out procedures.
• Students shall obtain make-up assignments from the teacher due to an absence and shall return them according to classroom procedures.

The Role of the Parent

• Parents shall avoid interruptions of the academic year and plan medical appointments and vacations at times that will not require students to be out of school.
• Parents shall support school, district policies and state law by expecting regular school attendance.
• In the case of illness or other legitimate reasons for absences, the parent shall contact the attendance office within one week and notify the school of their student’s absence. After one week, the absence will remain unexcused.
• PDF Instructions
• Mobile Tutorial
• Desktop Tutorial

Educational Leave: Students may apply for up to 10 days of educational leave per school year. Students will obtain a leave form in the attendance office and complete and return the form before leaving on vacation.

Home and Hospital: When a doctor writes an order for a student to be out of school for over 10 school days, a parent or guardian needs to contact the Counseling Center to arrange for Home and Hospital teaching services. The doctor note must be provided to the Counseling Center before Home and Hospital instruction can begin.

Truancy Policy and Guidelines for Excessive Absenteeism:  Add Updated Polciy.

• Compulsory Education Letter is acknowledged with registration at the beginning of the year.
• The administrator meets with the student to discuss attendance concerns.
• Attendance Letter #2 may be sent home by the attendance office after a student misses 80+ classes.
• Students may be sent to Truancy School for missing over 120 classes.
• Note: Other consequences and interventions can take place at any time, such as ASD, ISS, and counseling.

Withdrawal From School: When students move outside the state of Utah, they need to withdraw from Kelsey Peak. This process includes obtaining a withdrawal sheet from the attendance office, receiving clearance from each teacher, returning Chromebook and all textbooks, and paying fines/fees. Failure to complete all of these steps may result in delay or denial of academic credit.