Student Planner 2013-14 - Pinkerton Academy

Due to early dismissals, late arrivals, and other similar reasons, a student’s absenteeism may vary from one class toanother. The student may be “over” the limits in one class but “under” in another. The official number of classes missedrests with the teacher in each course. A “missed class” is considered as a student’s absence. Students who fail any quarter(or quarters) due to the attendance policy may take mid-year and/or final exams.Parental Notification: Pinkerton Academy will make every effort to notify parents or guardians when their studentsare out of school. Parents who wish to be certain that they are notified about every absence should use the Academy’sEdLine program or may contact the appropriate attendance office and make arrangements with the administrator. Inaddition, at the time progress reports are issued, teachers will identify any student with four or more absences fromtheir classes to that point. Ultimately, however, it is up to each student and the student’s parents to monitor attendancethroughout the year. Parents are encouraged to call the attendance office for an individual update at any time.The 5 days are built in for those days when a student has a minor illness that doesn’t require medical attention, orwhen a student must deal with a personal or family emergency. Students who fail due to the attendance policy are studentswho abused the 5 days with unnecessary absences and have nothing to fall back on when personal, family, or minorhealth circumstances cause them to be absent. We urge all students and parents to strive for maximum attendance,as that will ensure a more complete educational experience.Absenteeism/Tardiness During Final and Mid-Year Exams: Students arriving late to an exam must first check-inwith their administrative office for a pass. If a student misses a final exam or mid-year exam due to illness, that studentwill be able to “make-up” the exam shortly after recovery if the following condition is met: the attendance office must benotified of the student’s inability to take the exam prior to the time of the scheduled exam. Students have 10 days from theclose of grades to make up midterm and final exams and/or any outstanding assignments. Students needing more than10 days must get approval from the Special Education Director or the Guidance Director. Any student who is not presentduring the final exam, and who has not contacted the school regarding the absence, will receive a zero for the exam.Dismissal from SchoolWhen and where it is possible, the Academy requests that doctor and dentist appointments be made outside of schoolhours. If a student is to be dismissed for these or any other reasons, that student is to bring a parental note to the appropriateattendance office before 7:10 a.m. The note must state the specific reason for the dismissal, and the doctor’s(dentist’s) name if there is an appointment. Pinkerton reserves the right to verify all appointments for which students aredismissed from school. Students must obtain a dismissal slip from their administrative office before leaving campus.Pinkerton administrators also reserve the right to approve and/or restrict the reasons for which students are dismissedfrom school. Dismissal notes submitted after 7:15 a.m. will not be accepted without direct parental contact.Students who leave school without prior parental notification of the attendance office, and/or without administrativeapproval, will be considered leaving school grounds. (Please see: Leaving School Grounds) In cases of emergency,a student may be dismissed via a phone call from a parent to the attendance office. In the interest of student safety,Pinkerton Academy reserves the right to require a parent or guardian to present themselves in person to an administratorbefore dismissing a student from school. In addition, a student may not be dismissed to anyone other than those listedon the emergency contact list.Tardiness to SchoolThe school day at Pinkerton Academy is from 7:15 a.m. through 2:10 p.m., regardless of student schedules. Allstudents are expected to be present at 7:15 a.m. on a regular basis. Tardiness causes interruptions in the educationalprograms and in the study habits of other students. When tardy to school, the student will report immediately to the attendanceoffice to “check in.” Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.Because school-wide attendance is taken during period A, all students must report to their assigned classes or studyhalls for attendance before reporting to the library, senior privileges, or any other appointment. Students should expectto remain in period A study halls until 7:20 a.m. Students participating in an extra-curricular activity or sport will not be allowedto participate in a specific game or activity unless the student is in school prior to 9:00 a.m. on the day of the event,or excused in advance through the Attendance Office for extenuating circumstances. For weekend events, students mustbe in school the day preceding the activity. If there are any extenuating circumstances, please notify the appropriateattendance office. It is understood that, on rare occasions, a student may be tardy due to extenuating circumstances.8