Attendance Line: 403-276-5521 press 1

Attendance Policy

Our school’s primary focus is ongoing support for students while developing strategies for success. Crescent teachers have a strong sense of professional accountability for program success. They set appropriate expectations for student performance, and provide quality learning experiences in support of student learning. Our teachers believe that all students are capable of being successful. 

We believe those students who graduate from CHHS will be:

• self-directed learners
• effective communicators
• collaborative team players
• critical/creative thinkers

Our attendance policy is based upon the belief that students will become responsible, participatory citizens and will value life-long learning when their uniqueness is respected. Therefore, we expect that students will have a good attitude, good attendance, and good effort. We encourage them to come and learn, be positive contributors and be respectful. At Crescent, we treat others in the way we wish to be treated. 

We believe:

• Expectations should be clear to parents, students, and teachers both in the classroom and the school;
• Respect for social responsibilities and respect for self and others is paramount
• Our focus should be on proactive problem solving
• Consequences should be fair and should respect personal dignity
• Disciplinary actions are designed to remediate inappropriate behaviors
• Students need to know our expectations and the discipline process

Attendance Guidelines

Students and their parents/legal guardians are responsible for the students’ attendance. Students are requested, as a matter of courtesy, to advise teachers of the reasons for any absences. A note or phone call from a parent/guardian to the school office (403-276-5521 press 1) explaining absences is expected. It is vital that the student’s full name and the dates of absences be printed on notes or given when phoning the school (please clearly spell out your child’s first and last name). Students under the age of 18 may not call in to excuse their own absences. Students eighteen years of age are reminded that regular attendance in all classes remains an expectation.

Students Who Must Leave the School & Missing Classes are Required to:

• Go to the office to sign out.
• Students may contact a parent/legal guardian in the office (if under age 18). Please be aware that office phones are only for this purpose.
• If a parent/legal guardian can’t be reached, a note should be brought to show teachers and a phone call to the Absence Line is required to excuse the absence. Only one note is required for all teachers to initial and pass on to the main office for recording and filing.

Students leaving without signing out will be considered truant for the time missed.

Attendance Procedures

Our procedure for dealing with attendance issues will consist of the following steps:

1. Teacher/Student Meeting (prior to 5 absences)

• The teacher will review a copy of this policy with the student and direct him or her to take it home to be reviewed with a parent or guardian.

2. Parent Contacted by Teacher (6-10 absences)

This brings the most significant others into the remediation process.

• The teacher will contact the parent and affirm that information regarding the students’ attendance and progress has been received.
• Teachers may wish to involve school-based and CBE specialists to help students build the skills necessary for success e.g.: guidance counselors, instructional resource personnel, and student resource group.

3. Administrative or Guidance Referral #1 (10 absences)

In this initial meeting with the student, they may:

• review interventions with teacher and outcomes
• discuss situation with student
• outline potential consequences
• develop proactive action plan for resolution
• contact parent, keep them informed (i.e. weekly attendance review)
• monitor student progress

4. Referral #2 (15 absences)

In this second meeting, if attempts at remediation have not improved the student’s attendance, an administrator will: Take action to bring an abrupt change to the student’s behavior by discussing with the student’s parent/guardian the future of the student in the class. Possible outcomes of this meeting may include:

• Attendance Improvement Plan
• daily attendance monitoring
• home supported leave
• class withdrawal

5. Follow-up referral(s)

In the event that the student does not comply with the expectations of the school (after 3 more absences since reinstatement), and upon the recommendation of the classroom teacher, he or she may be withdrawn from the class, and further actions may be initiated in consultation with parents/legal guardians and a school administrator. These possibilities include:

• Transitioning to the world of work
• Discovering Choices
• home/alternative education
• distance learning
• Alberta Health Services, special counseling
• return to school next semester
• counseled withdrawal from CHHS
• Alberta Health Services support

In any event, a letter confirming consequences will be sent home to parents and a meeting will be held with parents.

Lates

1. On or before the fourth late, the teacher shall discuss lates with the student expressing concern, expectations and future action.
2. On the sixth late, teachers shall contact the home by phone to inform parents/legal guardians of the student lates, and to discuss the effect of these on student achievement. The teacher should express concern about the consequences of lates.
3. If the pattern of lateness continues, a referral specifying the dates late shall be sent to the appropriate administrator. The administrator will attempt to help rectify the inappropriate behavior.

Truancy

Truancy is the act or instance of staying out of school or class without permission and is unacceptable at any time. Students who are truant can be referred to the appropriate administrator.

Course Withdrawals & Assignment of Final Marks

It is understood that CBE high schools are committed to making the most effective use of available educational resources. The master timetable and student timetables are created on the basis of individual student course requests. Thus, students are expected to fulfil the commitment to attend and make every effort to do the work required to be successful in each course in which they are enrolled. 

In exceptional circumstances, the school administration and the student may agree at some time that it would be appropriate for the student to be withdrawn from the class. This will be done in consultation with the teacher, parent, student, guidance counsellor and administrator. Until the process is completed, the student is expected to continue to attend class.

It is the responsibility of students and parent(s)/guardian(s) to notify the school that they have registered in online learning opportunities. School administration and councillors reserve the right to maintain current academic programming to ensure full-time student status. It is important that academic programming considerations be done in collaboration with school administration and Student Services.

Extended Absences and Requests for Student Leave

During the school year, students and their parents/legal guardians often request permission to leave school for an extended period of time. Many reasons are given for these requests and each situation is reviewed on a case by case basis.

Requests for an extended leave from school will only be considered if each step in the process outlined by the school is followed. All applications must be completed two (2) weeks prior to the beginning of the intended leave.

Important Information and Expectations for Parents, Students, Staff

• Extended absences at any time during the school year jeopardize a student’s opportunity for success.
• Scheduling family vacations and lengthy departures to international locales during the school year are not educationally sound and are not recommended. The school year is designed to provide timely breaks from instruction and family activities should be planned with these breaks in mind.
• Teachers are not obligated to provide course work, assignments and assessments, and customized learning programs for students who are away from school during an extended absence.
• Students are expected to check with their teachers so that they will know what course content is to be covered and what important assignments, tests and assessments will be missed.
• Should the request for leave extend beyond 20 instructional days, students will not be able to demonstrate mastery of learning outcomes and may not receive credits for courses in which they are enrolled. Students in this situation will be withdrawn for the current semester and will be directed to other educational alternatives upon return to Calgary. At that time, a possible return to Crescent Heights High School for the next semester is to be discussed with the student’s supervising administrator.
• By signing off on the request for extended leave, the school is merely acknowledging the student’s absence from school and the reasons for the absence. The school is not condoning or giving permission to be absent for an extended period.
• All final exams are to be written on the date that they are scheduled. Students will not be given an opportunity to re-write a final exam if it is missed while away on extended leave.
• Students who face significant extenuating circumstances due to acute personal, medical or family crisis should inquire about being provided with a School Supported Leave. This possibility is to be discussed with the student’s supervising administrator.

Release of Student Information

CBE Legal Services, Student and Parent Services have directed all schools to follow certain guidelines when dealing with inquiries about students.

• Messages will not be passed along to students unless there is a family emergency;
• Employees answering the phone will not confirm if a child is resident in the school; and
• Only parents with whom a student resides should be contacting the school.

Your consideration of these guidelines will be greatly appreciated.