Attendance Line: 403-289-2551 ext. 1.
Parents or guardians are asked to phone the attendance line above prior to 1:00 pm on the day of the absence. Students under the age of 18 are not permitted to phone in their own absences.
When calling, provide the following information:
- Student’s Name - please spell the last name
- Reason for absence
- Time of the absence
- Who is calling
- If missing a quiz or exam – the name of the teacher. When a student is absent on the day of a scheduled evaluation, parents are requested to contact the teacher directly before the time of the scheduled examination or leave a message on the teacher’s voicemail indicating the reason for the absence.
Regular attendance at school is essential to student success. Students are expected to attend every day that the school is in operation. Teachers will contact parents or guardians when they are concerned about a student’s absence(s). If the student’s attendance does not improve, the student will be referred to administration.
Punctuality
Students are expected to be punctual for all classes and scheduled activities during the school day. Students arriving late to school are asked to first sign in at the Main Office.
Signing Out Procedures
Students, who are required to leave the school for medical or dental appointments, or for any other legitimate purpose, must first sign out at the office. Students who become ill should report to the office as soon as possible; they must not remain unattended. These absences still need to be confirmed / authorized by a parent or guardian.
Extended Leaves
In cases of planned absences (3 or more consecutive school days), students are required to complete the Extended Absence Notice and is available in the Main Office in advance of the absence. Students are responsible for obtaining parents’ signatures and returning the completed form to the Main Office prior to the absence.
- The school does not provide ongoing homework during an extended absence.
- It is the parent’s responsibility to review and support their child’s learning so they do not fall behind during the extended absence.
Attendance Policies & Procedures
| Student Absences | Actions |
|---|
| On or before the 4 absence | Teacher Action
- Teacher/Student Meeting to discuss attendance outlining the concern, expectations, and future action.
- Teacher reviews a copy of this policy with the student and directs student to take it home to be reviewed with a parent/guardian.
|
| On or about the 8 absence | Teacher Action
- Parent/guardian of students under the age of 18
contacted by teacher via e-mail or telephone.
- Teacher meets with student 18 years of age or older.
- Teacher affirms the information regarding student’s
attendance and progress in the course
- Teacher documents time/date/brief overview of
contact (preferably in PWS Log Entry)
- Teachers may wish to notify/involve school-based
specialists (Guidance Counselors, Learning Strategist)
|
10 Absence
Referral #1 |
Teacher Action
- Teacher refers student to Administration
Administration Action
Administrator meets with student. At this initial meeting:
- Review previous interventions with teacher and outcomes
- Discuss situation with student
- Outline potential consequences
- Develop proactive action plan for resolution
- Contact parent – keep them informed
- Monitor student progress
|
15 Absence
Referral #2 |
Teacher Action
- Teacher refers student to Administration
Administration Action
If attempts at remediation have not improved student’s attendance, administrator will:
- Meet with student and parent/guardian to discuss the student’s future in the class
- Possible outcomes of this meeting may include Attendance Improvement Plan, Daily Attendance Monitoring, Credit Recovery Plan, Home-supported leave, or class withdrawal
|
| Follow-up Referral |
Teacher Action
- Teacher refers student to Administration
Administration Action
Should the student not comply with the expectations of the school (after 3 or more absences since last referral) and upon administration consulting with the classroom teacher, the student may be withdrawn from the class, and further actions may be initiated in consultation with parents/legal guardian. These possibilities include:
- Credit Recovery
- Transitioning to the world of work
- Discovering Choices
- Home/Alternative Education
- On-line Learning
- Alberta Health Services, Special Counseling
- Return to school next semester
- Counsel to withdraw from William Aberhart In this event, a letter confirming consequences will be sent home to parents/guardians and a meeting will be held with parents.
|
Attendance for Physical Education (PE)
Exemption from Physical Education Activities
The Program of Studies outlines the following conditions and procedures for exemption from specific activities or dimensions of the Physical Education curriculum:
- Religious Beliefs – Statement in writing from parent to principal.
- Medical – Certification to principal by medical practitioner with statement of activities in which the student is not able to participate.
- When exemption is granted, alternative activities consistent with the goals and objectives of the specific dimension will be substituted, where appropriate.
Exemptions from an activity will not result in a deduction of grades when other activities consistent with the aim and outcomes of the program should be substituted where appropriate. (Alberta Education)
Attendance Policy and Credits
Attendance is critical to student success. Absences as a result of illness, injury, medical appointments, holidays, or other reasons will have a negative impact on student grades. It is important that all absences are phoned into the main office. Students enrolled in a 5 credit course are expected to meet the Alberta Education mandate of 125 hours. If a student misses over 15 classes, that student is no longer meeting the requirements to fulfill a 5 credit course and will be moved to 3 credit course. In a 3 credit course if the student misses 9 classes, they will not pass.
