Student/Parent Handbook - Braintree Public Schools

Student Responsibilities
The code of conduct for students at Braintree High School has been developed
as an integral and necessary aspect of our total educational environment.
Our goal is to provide and promote the fullest development of all of our
students. The school regulations that follow have been framed and will be
administered with these important tenets as a base.
Attendance Policies/Procedures
A. Daily Attendance
Daily attendance is taken in the homeroom. A student who fails to report to
homeroom is marked absent for the day. A student who reports to school but
fails to report to homeroom or the office for a tardy slip will be recorded as
absent and considered truant for the day, regardless of whether he/she attends
some or all classes. “Proof” that he was in school is unacceptable.
B. Perfect Attendance
Perfect attendance certificates are awarded annually to any student
who has not been absent officially from school during the entire school
year. If a student is absent from his/her classes on a given day
because of a school-imposed and/or sponsored absence (i.e., field trip,
approved college visitation for seniors, etc.) that day will not count as
an official day(s) absent. Any other type of absence such as court
appearances, doctor’s appointments, funerals, etc., although excused,
is considered a day absent from school. Students who are suspended
from school are not eligible for perfect attendance.
C. Absence from School
1. Legitimate reasons for absence include sickness, religious
holidays, bereavement, school functions, family emergencies and
court appearances. A student should never be absent from school
without his or her parent or guardian’s knowledge and then only
with valid reasons.
2. Upon returning to school after an absence, a student is required to
present to the homeroom teacher a note of explanation signed by a
parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence and the
date(s) of the absence(s). If a note is not received by the third day
an anecdotal form will be completed by the homeroom teacher and
submitted to the House Office for mailing to parents for their
information. If the Headmaster has granted prior approval, a
student who is 18 years old may have the option of signing such
notices.
3. When a student is absent from school, parents are encouraged to
notify their child’s house office the morning of the absence.
Otherwise, the automated caller will call the home of each student
in order to notify the parent/guardian of the absence.
• House 1: (781) 848-4000, extension 2281
• House 2: (781) 848-4000, extension 2282
• House 3: (781) 848-4000, extension 2283
D. Planned Absences
It must be understood that school administrators cannot approve the practice of
parents taking their children on vacations during school year. However, we
recognize that, on occasion, opportunities arise for parents to go on a trip as a
family that involves a four or five day absence from school. In such cases,
parents should weigh carefully the advantages and disadvantages of the
experience before making a decision to take their children out of school. If
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