Attendance Line: 403-280-6565 ext. 1
In accordance with Administrative Regulation 6020 on attendance, the Calgary Board of Education believes that there is a strong positive correlation between attendance and effective education.
You are required to attend regularly and punctually so that we have a school environment which supports and foster excellence in learning, teaching, and other school activities.
Please speak slowly and clearly. Please say your phone number twice. Please say and spell your first & last name, student ID number, reason for absence and who is calling.
Procedure to Report an Absence
1. Parent/Guardian calls: (Open 24 hrs)
2. Phone 403-280-6565 Press “1”, OR email calgordon@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 8:40 AM; proceed to class at this time. Classes begin at 8:45 AM; you should be in class ready to learn.
At 12:50 PM a warning bell rings, afternoon classes begin at 12:52 PM, you should be in class ready to learn.
If you are chronically late your Subject and/or Connect 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 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.
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.
Procedure - Extended Vacation
- The student will obtain an “Extended Leave” form from the main office which he/she will take to each of his/her subject teachers and have an administrator sign the form.
- 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 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.
