Student/Parent Handbook - Braintree Public Schools

Planned Absences (Continued)
If parents decide to take their son or daughter out of school for more than five
days for what is clearly a vacation, this absence cannot be treated in the same
manner as the case above or as one for illness, a family emergency or
educational experience/
The loss of critical learning time in the classroom caused by the extended
absence and the necessity to comply with the state regulation on school
attendance becomes even more critical under these circumstances.
Accordingly, the pupil will have the same loss of privileges as other pupils who
are absent for unauthorized reasons. That is, he/she will not be allowed to take
any examinations or pass in any work for credit, which was scheduled during
the absence. The administration will, however, request teachers to provide a
description of the class work that will be missed during the absence, and pupils
should inform their teachers at least two weeks in advance of the absence in
order to give them adequate time to prepare a description of what will be
covered in class during the absence.
E. Absence Due to Field Trips or School Functions
Students are responsible for keeping up with any work missed while they are
on a school-sponsored trip. On the day following a field trip, students must
have their homework completed and be prepared to take any previously
announced test given in class.
F. Absence from Class (or other assigned location)
1. When a student is missing from any class or assigned study, the office is
notified in writing. If a deliberate class cut has occurred, the student will be
assigned an office detention for the first cut of any class. Any additional
class cuts each will result in an In-School suspension. Students who
continue to cut class after three in-school suspensions have been
assigned will be assigned Saturday School Suspension and if necessary,
an Out-of-School suspension.
2. Students are not allowed to make up work when a deliberate class cut has
occurred. The student’s academic average will be significantly affected if a
quiz or test was given that day.
G. Class Cutting
The cutting of classes is not allowed at Braintree High School. It is expected
that each student will attend all assigned classes and study halls throughout
the school day. All unexcused absences from class are direct infractions of the
Discipline Code and will be met with the assignment of office detention, In-
School Suspensions or Saturday School Suspensions. (Please see Discipline
Code for further information.)
H. Prolonged Absence
If for a medical reason or other valid reason a student is absent from school
more than a week, the student should contact his or her guidance counselor for
home assignments. Extended absences may require home tutoring and this
service is available if the situation warrants it. When a student returns to
school after a prolonged illness, the doctor’s excuse verifying the absences
should be brought to the House Office.
I. Skip Days
Parents may not give their son/daughter permission to skip school.
Any student found in violation of this rule will be considered truant and
will be assigned a Saturday School Suspension.
J. Truancy
Truancy is defined as an absence from school without a legitimate reason.
Parents will verify when a child has been truant.
Penalties for truancy are:
‣ 1st offense: Saturday School Suspension and parental notification.
‣ 2nd offense and succeeding offenses: same as first and a
parental conference.
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