At Forest Lawn High School, we believe that excellent attendance by our students is directly linked to an overall successful high school experience. The Alberta School Act and the Calgary Board of Education’s Administrative Regulation 6020 – Attendance of Students both reinforce the expectation that students should “attend school regularly and punctually."

Key points of our FLHS attendance policy:

• Teachers are expected to be in periodic contact with their students’ parents.
• Positive reinforcement and strong relationships with students are key to good attendance.
• Meaningful tasks at the beginning of each lesson help to motivate student to attend on time.
• Student attendance is linked to engagement. Students need to be engaged in their course work.
• Consistency is important.
• Flexibility and personalization is essential.

When students are in the building but not in class:

• All students will carry with them their school I.D.  If staff see students in the hallways they should ask them to see their I.D. card. If students are missing class they should be directed to return to their class.
• If students are released by their teacher during class time the student must carry around a “Blue Lanyard”. Teachers should not release a student without the lanyard.

Procedure to Report an Absence

1. Parent/Guardian calls: (Open 24 hrs)

2. Phone 403-272-6665 Press “1”, OR email forestlawn@cbe.ab.ca

3. Please provide the following information

• Student’s Full Name
• Spelling of the last name
• Grade
• Date(s) and length of Absences if known
• Reason for the absence
• Who is calling in the absence

All absences reported by 2:00 PM will be entered in the computer. The “School Messenger”, automated phone system, will be programmed to call home any absences not covered by a phone call.

Excused Absence Types

Personal illness or injury (after 5 days, a doctor’s note will be required) 

• Medical or dental appointment (recommended to schedule after school) 
• Family emergency 
• School sponsored field trip/activity

Student Responsibilities

After three absences your subject teacher will discuss attendance with you and inform your Connect teacher. You and your Subject/Connect teacher will work together to create an action plan if necessary and your parents will be informed. If your attendance continues to be a problem you will be directed to the administrator attached to your community to help you resolve it. Students are expected to communicate with your teacher to find out what you have missed.

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Responsibility

Contact school before 2:00 pm the day of the absence explaining reason for absence.

Students Checking Out

If you leave the building during class time for an appointment please sign out in the office. If you are under 18 please have your parent/guardian phone in prior to the appointment to excuse and explain your absence.

School Responsibility

Keep accurate attendance records.

Lates

Go directly to class and be sure to let the teacher know you are late. Being on time sets the right tone for your day!

A warning bell rings at 8:25 AM; proceed to class at this time. Classes begin at 8:30 AM; you should be in class ready to learn.

At 112:09 PM a warning bell rings, afternoon classes begin at 12:12 PM, you should be in class ready to learn.

If you are chronically late your Subject Teacher will meet with you and possibly your parents to discuss your lates and help you to set a plan in motion to get you to school on time. The next step will be a discussion with an administrator.

Independent Students and Attendance

Students become Independent on their 18th birthday. Students may consent to continue to include parents in attendance and other school matters. Those who wish to assume complete responsibility for their own attendance may do so. Students on their own attendance and who develop chronic absences patterns will be subject to possible disciplinary action which can include withdrawal from class or school.

Sudden Illness

The school is not permitted to dispense any medication to students. If a student becomes ill and is unable to attend class, the student should report to the Main Office where contact home and arrangement can be made with parents/guardians for the student to return home or seek medical attention

Extended Vacation - Planned Absences

Each year some students request permission to extend their Winter Break/Spring Break/Summer Break or to take time off during the school year to travel with their parents. Since regular attendance is a requirement in high school for obtaining course credits, we are not in a position to grant permission for an extended absence; however, we do appreciate the dilemma which families face when arranging their travel schedules.

Procedure - Extended Vacation

• During out-of-school periods, the parent will fill in the "Extended Absence Parent Notice" form (to the right of the page) and email this in to the school - forestlawn@cbe.ab.ca.  
• During the school year, students who wish to leave school for an extended period of time may pick up an Extended Absence Form in the Main Office and then take it to each teacher in order to determine the academic cost of the proposed absence. After the information is gathered, it becomes the responsibility of the student and his/her parents/guardians to weigh the advantage and/or disadvantages of leaving school. 
• Special conditions may also be outlined as arranged between the student and the teacher.
• The final decision as to whether the student leaves school becomes the responsibility of the student and his/her parents/guardians after weighing the potential impact on achievement.
• Students who will be absent more than 9 instructional/school days must contact/meet with an administrator. Absences longer than 9 days may result in the student being removed/withdrawn from courses.

Any leave from school may jeopardize the student’s final standing: marks not earned as a result of tests/assessments and assignments missed may result in a corresponding lowering of the final grade. Teachers are not automatically required to provide make-up work or examination extensions. Therefore, students must discuss the consequences of a leave with the teachers. Factors that will be considered include the reason for the absence, the precise type and amount of work missed the nature of the course, the student’s standing and effort in class, and the previous attendance.

Where possible these discussions should occur prior to the extended leave.