studenthandbook

2007 - 2008 MHS Student & Parent Handbook

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - L - M - N -
O - P - Q - S - T - W
Class Sponsors

The Monticello School district does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sex or physical disability in its educational program, activities or employment policies and practices as required by Title VI and VIII of the 1964 Civil Rights Acts, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, and the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Handbook approved July 23, 2007

A:     Attendance Policies - Academic Honors - Activities

Attendance Policies and Procedures

Students must strive for consistent attendance to all classes and school activities. Regular attendance at school is a necessity for a student to fully maximize their potential while in high school. Less than regular attendance will limit student options after the conclusion of the high school program. Therefore, the Monticello High School has developed the following guidelines to promote consistent attendance by all students.

General Regulations (Board Policy 501.1)

1.1    Students must be in attendance 8 semesters on a full-time basis to be eligible for graduation or a student may apply for early graduation which will allow the student to attend only 6 or 7 semesters. Full-time is defined as taking at least 8 courses each semester, including one semester of P.E. each year. Only 12th graders on track with graduation requirements may take 7 courses each semester. Exceptions may be made for students who, for some reason, dropped out for a particular semester. Students will be allowed to make up a missed semester by taking extra courses, with the principal's permission.

1.2    Attendance in each class must be on a regular basis. Students who have a serious medical problem (e.g. hospitalization) and/or extenuating circumstance may appeal to the principal for a hardship and grade extension. Proof of inability to attend school will be required (doctor's note, etc.).

1.3    Students who drop below "full-time" status may be assigned by the principal to alternative educational options.

1.4    Students who wish to re-enroll in school after their class has graduated will be allowed to return to school but will be permitted in the building only for the classes for which they are enrolled.

1.5    Absences will be classified EXCUSED for the following causes:
            • personal illness
            • family emergencies
            • medical or dental appointments
            • family vacation
            • other absences approved by parent/guardian and principal
            (Absences for other causes may be excused if the parent consults with the principal prior to the student's absence.)

1.6    Absences without knowledge and consent of the parents and without the approval of the principal will be classified as UNEXCUSED.

1.7    When a student has been absent from school it is the student's responsibility to obtain and complete the assignments missed. This make up work must be completed within a reasonable amount of time. The guideline suggested is two class days for the first day missed plus one calendar day for each additional day missed. When a student's absence is classified as UNEXCUSED, the student will be given no credit for the work missed and will not be allowed to make up those assignments missed.

1.8    When a student is able to anticipate an absence, the student must seek approval for the planned absence from the office personnel and arrange with teachers to complete the make-up work prior to leaving if possible. Forms are available in the office.

1.9    Students must attend their two last scheduled class periods of the day and must not be unverified at any point/time in the school day in order to participate in a student activity within the co-curricular program.

1.10    Students found to be in violation of the attendance regulation, including having absences classified as UNEXCUSED or UNVERIFIED, may be subject to one or more of the following disciplinary actions:
               • No credit for school work missed the day of the absence
                • Probation
                • Removal of school privileges
                • After school detention
                • Short-term suspension from school
                • Non-teaching day of attendance
                • Long-term suspension from school
                • May be dropped from a course with an "F"

1.11    On the occasion of the third suspension, the student will be liable for suspension for the remainder of the semester or school year. A further alternative will be for the student to transfer to the Kirkwood Alternative School.

Specific Regulations (Board Policy 501.1)

2.1    Whenever a student is absent or is going to be absent from school, the student's parents should either:
            A.    Call the school to report the absence (then, no absence note will required), OR
            B.    Send an absence note with the student when the student returns to school. THE SCHOOL RECOMMENDS AND ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO CALL THE SCHOOL (465-6597, Ext. 3) TO REPORT STUDENT ABSENCES ON THE DAY WHEN THE ABSENCE OCCURS. If the school is NOT notified truthfully, and within 48 hours of the absence the student's absence may be considered UNEXCUSED.

2.2    Once a student is present at school, the student may leave only if the student follows the procedure listed below: The student must (1) present a statement from the student's parents indicating the reason for which the student must leave school (2) obtain the permission of the principal or designee and (3) sign out on the appropriate form in the Principal's Office.

2.3    Students will be allowed three unexcused tardies each quarter. Every unexcused tardy after the third one may result in after school detention. An unexcused tardy longer than 20 minutes may be considered an unexcused absence.

2.4    UNEXCUSED absences from assigned classes or school are offenses which may make the student liable for suspension. Student whose absences are classified as UNEXCUSED may be specifically affected by this regulation and regulations 1.7, 1.9, and 1.10.

ATTENDANCE - Good Student Conduct (for students in extra curricular activities)

All students who are scheduled to participate in an extracurricular activity on any day that school is in session must attend the last two academic blocks of their schedule on that day of the activity and must not be unverified at any point/time in the school day unless excused directly by the principal. Medical appointments, dental appointments, and illnesses are excusable if the principal so deems. Juniors and seniors visiting colleges and vocational schools shall be deemed excusable if so deemed by the principal. The principal has the sole discretion in determining whether an absence will be excused.

Verified Absences

This is when a student is in attendance at school and has parental/guardian permission to leave the school building/grounds. The absence is considered "verified" if it meets all of the following criteria:
    1.    The student has a written note from a parent/guardian excusing them from school, OR the student has contacted a parent/guardian by phone and they verbally excuse the student from school by talking directly to office personnel.
    2.    The student has signed out in the office indicating the time he/she left, where he/she was going, and when they expect to return.
    3.    Criteria 1 and 2 from above must be done PRIOR to leaving the school building/grounds.

Unverified Absences

This is when a student is in attendance at school and leaves the school building/grounds without accomplishing all three (3) of the criteria listed in the "verified absence" definition.

For example:
    An absence is considered "unverified" if a student brings a note the day after they were absent, thus not having PRIOR permission to leave the school building/grounds.
    An absence is considered "unverified" if a student does not sign out in the office before leaving the school building/grounds.
    An absence is considered "unverified" if a student does not have written or verbal permissions from a parent/guardian which has been verified by office personnel.

What happens when a student receives an unverified absence?

A student who participates in an extra curricular activity and receives an unverified absence at any point/time in the school day is not allowed to participate in any practices or games on the day he/she received the unverified absence. The form of discipline will be determined by the head coach/sponsor of the extra curricular activity prior to the start of the season, and will have been approved by the Activities Director. It will be stated in the extra curricular activities handbook and will be on file with the Activities Director. Students who are unverified will be considered unexcused (Refer to 1.7, 1.9, and 1.10).


Back To A        Back To The Top