Quincy Middle School Attendance Policy

There is a proven relationship between attendance and success at school.  Therefore, the staff of Quincy Middle School has a responsibility to encourage and positively regard regular and punctual attendance.  Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes.  Accurate records of daily and hourly absences will be kept.  Basic responsibility for attendance rests with the students and parents.  Parents will be informed when problems arise because parents are an important part of our educational team.

 Goals and Objectives for Student Attendance:

 Quincy Middle School, in compliance with Michigan school law, offers 180 days of student instruction each year.  It is our belief that students who have the best attendance records receive the best education.  It is also our belief that students need good attendance in order to ready themselves for the strict requirements they will encounter in the work place after graduation.  Therefore, we have set some specific goals and objectives for all students in relation to regular attendance: 

1.      Students should strive for maximum participation in each class.  To participate fully, students should be in school each and every day (180 days per year).

2.      Because students need to be in class in order to participate fully and to successfully learn material required for promotion, we have set a requirement for the minimum number of days a student should be in attendance.  A student should be in class 90% of the total available time in each class.  This means the total number of allowable absences per semester in each class is nine (9).

3.      Absences will be carefully documented for each student, and the school will define those absences as excused or unexcused.

4.      Students and parents will be kept informed of any problems with attendance.  The following steps will be taken to ensure regular communication:  Five absences – letter to parents; eight absences – phone call to parents from the principal.

5.      Upon the tenth absence in a semester, a mandatory meeting will take place with the student, their parent(s), and the attendance committee.  The attendance committee will consist of the principal, counselor, social worker (when applicable), and a teacher.

6.      The attendance committee will have the responsibility of determining consequences for violating the attendance policy.  The attendance committee may:  a.) exempt the student from the number of days as stated in the attendance policy, b.) require attendance at Saturday School, c.) require attendance in Summer School, d.) require regular participation in Power Hour, etc.  Failure to comply with the plan designed by the attendance committee may result in grade level retention for the following school year.

 Important Procedures to Know Regarding Attendance

 Parents and students should be aware of the following procedures:

1.      Checking In and Out:  Students, when leaving the building, must obtain permission from the office to check out.  This includes a parent contact with the office.  Students coming into the building after 8:05 a.m. must check in at the office.

2.      Make-up work:  It is the responsibility of the student to make up any required work he/she missed during the absence for a regularly scheduled class.  Teachers should be asked for make-up work the same day the student returns to school.  It is the student’s responsibility to request this homework.  (Parents can request homework and pick it up on the afternoon of the absence.)  Class work is to be returned the day following the student’s return to school.  Students who are absent for an extended period will work with the teacher to develop an appropriate timeline for the return of work missed throughout the duration of the absence.

Excused Absences

 The following examples of absences will be excused, provided a parent or guardian notifies the middle school office by telephone or written note upon the return of the student.

1.      Illnesses:  Any illness lasting more than three days may require a note from the physician involved.  Extended illnesses will be reviewed by the principal to determine whether these absences will count toward the attendance policy.

2.      Death in the Family. 

3.      Serious personal or family problems/family emergency.

4.      Medical Appointments

5.      Funeral

6.      Religious Obligations

7.      Family Trips:  This is defined as the student accompanying his/her parents on a business trip or vacation.  It is necessary to have parent contact informing the school of the trip, requesting permission for a pre-arranged absence, and listing the dates of the proposed absence.  (Up to two days of pre-arranged family vacation will not count toward the attendance policy.  Students who miss days due to family vacation will not be considered for perfect attendance.)  It is highly discouraged to plan family vacations during the school year.

Unexcused Absences

 The following examples of absences will be defined as unexcused (note: this is NOT an all-inclusive list):

1.      Skipping classes (truancy from school)

2.      Leaving school during the school day without checking out at the office

3.      Missing the bus

4.      Oversleeping

5.      Excessive absences without a doctor’s note