Attendance Guidelines
Lac du Bonnet Senior School
Attendance policy
School success is highly correlated to student attendance because the core of our education program occurs in the classroom with our teachers. As such, students should be present in the classroom every day. According to the provincial document Safe and Caring Schools: A Policy Directive and Action Plan to Enhance Student Presence and Engagement (2023), regular attendance is defined as missing no more than five days in the entire school year. 10 or more absences in one course is considered chronic and 20 or more is considered severe.
Students are present (P) when they are:
- In attendance in the regular classroom.
Students are excused (E) when they are:
- Participating in a school activity or event
- In the office or with a student services staff member during class.
When parents contact the school prior to the absence, students are absent with reason (W) when:
- Suffering from an acute or chronic medical condition
- Absent due to a verifiable religious observance.
- Absent due to a death in the family.
- Absent because of participation in an educational opportunity or special activity not associated with the regular school activities (such as participation in a competition, a school supported job placement, etc.). This designation always requires administrative approval prior to the event to be marked with reason (W).
- Absent as a direct result of legal obligations
Students will be marked absent (A) when:
- Away for any reason not listed above
Students will be marked absent due to excessive late (L2) when:
- Missing more than 15 minutes of a class at any point throughout the period
Automated calls and/or emails are sent when a student is marked absent.
At five absences (W, A, or L2) in any course (SY) or half-day (MY), parents or guardians will be notified by administration or student support. At ten absences (chronic absenteeism), a student will be restricted from representing LdBSS at extra-curricular events, fieldtrips, etc., without administrator approval. A meeting will be arranged with the student, parents, and the school team to create a Student Specific Plan; identifying barriers to attendance and strategies that can be used to address them. The plan will also include a contract to complete missed work. Credits cannot be granted when learning has not been demonstrated.
Students’ Responsibilities
- Attend all classes
- Be in class on time and prepared to learn
- Inform teachers in advance of upcoming absences when possible
- Catch up on missing work in a reasonable amount of time
Teachers’ Responsibilities
- On-going communication with students and parents regarding attendance expectations and work completion
- Timely completion of electronic attendance (within 10 minutes of class beginning) to ensure automated notification occurs
- Develop a plan with the student to catch up and communicate the plan with parents when attendance is having an impact on student achievement
- Refer student to Student Support if necessary
Parents’ Responsibilities
- Ensure students are in regular attendance at school
- Stay informed of attendance and academic progress using the Parent Portal
- Communicate with the school when students are going to be absent and provide the necessary documentation
- Recognize the impact attendance has on learning and work with your student and the school team to ensure success.
Student Support/Administration Responsibilities
- Monitor attendance and communicate with teachers
- Make phone calls, send emails and attendance letters to parents when required
- Develop academic plans based on referrals and/or chronic absenteeism