Skip To Main Content

Attendance Policies

ATTENDANCE POLICY

All students are expected to attend school regularly and to be on time to classes to receive maximum benefit from their instructional program. Good attendance is extremely important. There is a close correlation between attendance and achievement in school; therefore, students should not be absent unless it is absolutely necessary.

While attendance is important there are some reasons when a child should stay home from school. Following the guidelines of the Daviess County Health Department, some reasons for not attending school are:

1.   Contagious disease

2.   Temperature over 100 degrees (may return after 24 hours fever free without fever reducing medicine)

3.   Impetigo

4.   Pediculosis (Lice)

5.   Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)

6.   Tinea (Ringworm)

7.   Other reasons may include recuperating from surgery or other medical procedure which may render the student immobile or bed fast.

In keeping with the Board approved attendance philosophy, a student may not be absent from school for more than 10 days each semester. It is believed that students who miss more than nine instructional periods per class per semester have missed a significant amount of classroom interaction as well as instruction. A day absent from the classroom can never be replaced, and the learning that has taken place between the teacher and student can never be duplicated. Reading the material and performing satisfactorily on tests do not compensate for the loss of insight gained during discussion, explanation, or supervised drill. Every absence interrupts a student’s understanding of the material being presented and weakens his/her interest in the continuing program. In addition, regular and punctual attendance in school helps develop habits necessary for the work world they will enter upon leaving school.

The primary responsibility for school attendance rests with the parents and students. The school will assist the parents and students in this responsibility. The cooperation of the student, parents/guardians, and the school is essential in providing a firm framework for the student to achieve the fundamental foundation of regular attendance.

An absence is recorded when a student is not in class. A student who is more than 15 minutes late after the start of the day shall be considered a late arrival until the end of that period. A student who is more than 5 minutes late to any other class after the 1st class of the day shall be considered absent from that class unless an exemption is granted by the administration.
 

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

To ensure the safety and accountability of all students, the following procedures must be followed regarding leaving the school building during school hours:

  1. Parent Permission Required: Students are not permitted to leave the school building during the school day without prior permission from a parent or guardian to the office. The parent/guardian must contact the school in advance to request the student's early dismissal.
  1. Sign-In and Sign-Out Procedure: Students who leave the building must sign out at the attendance office before departing. Upon returning to school, students must sign in at the attendance office to ensure proper tracking of their attendance.

Failure to follow these procedures may result in disciplinary action.

 

FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE AN EXCUSED ABSENCE OR TARDY, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WILL BE FOLLOWED:

1.   Excused and unexcused absences will count toward the student’s absences. Unexcused absences are counted from the 1st day of school until the last day of school.

2.   If a student reaches 5 CONSECUTIVE EXCUSED absences, he or she must obtain a written medical notice(Certificate of Incapacity), given by the administration to be filled out by the physician.***Note: Certificate of Incapacity is not the same as a doctor’s excuse.***

3.   Out-of-School Suspension will not count toward students 10 absences.

4.   Students who are absent from school unless covered under I.C. 20-8.1-3-18 (Being a Page or Honoree of the Indiana General Assembly) or school approved activity (example: Field Trips, etc.) SHALL NOT attend school related activities that evening.

5.   All notes (when a student returns to school) or phone calls on the day of the absence are required for all absences as confirmation of the parent/guardian having knowledge of the absence.

6.   Pre-arranged absence(s) will count toward a student’s absence(s)

7.   Emergency situations will be taken under advisement.

a.   EXCUSED ABSENCE

A student’s absence will be considered excused if contact is made by phone by the parent/ guardian or written notification of the absence accompanies the student upon his/her return to school and the excused absence criterion is met.

i.  Student is ill and the parent/guardian contacts the school (every day for up to ten days).

ii. Student is sent home by the nurse.

iii.  Funerals of non-immediate family members or friends.

iv.  Doctor’s appointments.

v.   Pre-arranged absences.

vi.  Hospitalization.

vii. Serving as a page in the General Assembly.

viii. School sponsored events.

ix.  Administrative suspensions.

x.   Working the polls on Election Day with approval

xi.  Documented court appearances.

xii. Doctor documented extended illnesses.

xiii. Extenuating circumstances as determined by the administration

  Students who have absences classified as EXCUSED will have the benefit of make-up work for credit. Absence notification can be made 24 hours a day by calling 812-254-8350 and leaving a message on the voice mail.

  Each student and parent/guardian should realize that the determination of a valid, and therefore an excused absence, rests with the administration of Washington High School.

b.   UNEXCUSED ABSENCE

 An absence is classified as unexcused according to the following criteria:

1.   A parent/guardian fails to verify the absence upon the students return to school.

2.   The reason for missing school does not fall under the criteria for an excused absence.

3.   The student fails to notify the attendance office in advance in cases of pre-arranged absences.

4.   A student has accumulated more than 10 absences in a semester, the absence is considered unexcused, unless a doctor’s statement is provided for each absence.

5.   A student leaves school without the knowledge or permission of a school official even if a parent/guardian has been called prior to leaving.

6.   A student has an absence due to truancy or missing class without school authorization.

7.   Students who are late to class for more than five minutes.

8.   Any student who is absent from 4 full periods (Either 1-4 or 4-7) due to an appointment or due to illness, may not participate in or be present at an extra-curricular event the same day as the absence, regardless of a parent/guardian call. Repeated unexcused absences may also warrant other disciplinary action, such as detention, suspension, or expulsion, and may result in action taken under the compulsory school attendance laws. (I.C. 20-8.1-1-3-17) Any combination of 10 excused or unexcused absences in any course during any semester will be considered excessive absences. Students will be ineligible to earn further credit in the course(s) for the remainder of the term unless documented evidence is presented during the attendance review.

9.   Oversleeping

10. No transportation

11. Babysitting or caring for parents.

12.  Homework, Quizzes and Tests on the day of an unexcused absence will result in a zero and are not allowed to make up for credit for the day of an unexcused absence.

13.  Students may not participate in any Co-Curricular activities with an unexcused absence for that day. 

Note to parents and students: each absence, whether excused or unexcused or truancy, counts toward the ten-day limit.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE PROCEDURE THAT THE ATTENDANCE REVIEW WILL FOLLOW

  • Upon reaching 5 unexcused absences, a letter will be sent to the parent/guardian. This letter will:
    • Explain the Indiana Compulsory Attendance Law.
    • Outline the potential consequences for violating the law.
    • Request the parent/guardian discuss student attendance with school administrators.  
  • Upon reaching 10 unexcused absences, a letter will be sent to the parent/guardian. This letter will:
    • Indicate that a referral has been made to the Department of Child Services (DCS).
    • Request the parent/guardian discuss student attendance with school administrators.  
  • Upon reaching 15 unexcused absences, a letter will be sent to the parent/guardian. This letter will:
  • Indicate that a referral has been made to the Daviess County Juvenile Court.
  • Request the parent/guardian discuss student attendance with school administrators.   


1.   AFTER THE 5TH ABSENCE

   From one or more classes in the semester, contact shall be made with the parent/guardian by school officials regarding the student’s absences. This can be either in the form of a letter or phone call to the parent/guardian.

2.   AFTER THE 8TH ABSENCE

a.   From one or more classes in the semester, a parent/guardian will be called, and

b.   An attendance contract will be signed by a parent/guardian.

3.   AFTER THE 10TH ABSENCE

a.   From a class or classes in the semester, a parental conference with the parent/guardian, student, and the attendance committee shall be held. Included in the conference will be a review of the student’s absences.

b.   The student will be placed on an attendance contract. During this conference or at any time when they believe such circumstances merit special consideration, parents/guardians may request a letter of incapacity form. Parents are responsible for returning the completed form in a timely fashion. The student’s academic progress, grades, reasons for missing school, effort in completing makeup assignments, and any other relevant information including medical records will be used to determine the measure for the attendance contract. If no request for extenuating status has been made or if a request has been made and denied, the student will have the opportunity to make up time for their absences over the 10 allowed, to earn their credit.

If the above requirements are not met or attempted to be met by the next attendance review the following actions will be taken

1.   Notification of student’s absences to the Daviess County Probation Office.

2.   Notification to child protective services

3.   Attendance court--Daviess County Courthouse

 

ATTENDANCE CONTRACT

An attendance contract may include, but is not limited to, any or all the following:

1.   A required doctor’s certificate for any further absences (Administrative probation)

2.   Revocation of student’s driver’s license

3.   Revocation of Extra Curricular Activity privileges including field trips, prom, senior trip, band trips, athletic trips, etc.

4.   Notification of student’s absences to the Daviess County Probation Office.

5.  Revocation and removal of Co-Curricular activities privileges including but not limited to any clubs and organizations.

Late Arrival Policy

Students arriving after the academic day has started must follow the procedures outlined below:

  1. Entry Point: Students must enter through Gate 6 upon arrival at school after the academic day has begun.
  1. Sign-In Requirement: Upon entering the building, students are required to report directly to the Attendance Office to sign in. This will document their arrival time and ensure that they are marked present for the day.
  1. Late Arrival Consequences: Students who do not follow the proper sign-in procedure or fail to enter through Gate 6 may face disciplinary actions or may not be marked as present for the day.
     

TARDY POLICY

Late to class/school. A student is considered tardy if he or she is not in their assigned room/seat when the bell rings or at the designated time indicating that the period is to start, per discretion of the teacher and classroom rules.

1.   A tardy will be excused if the student presents a valid pass signed by a teacher, nurse, or office personnel. The time on the pass will indicate when the student was last seen.

2.   Students who are tardy to class - unexcused, will receive (per class):

a.   1-2 Tardies = Warning

b.   3-5 Tardies = Detention (Lunch or After School)

c.   6 Tardies = Thursday School (3:15 pm to 4:15 pm) - tardy contract signed by student

d.   7-11 Tardies = Thursday School (3:15 pm to 4:15 pm)

e.   12 Tardies = 1 Day of In-School Suspension

f.    13-14 Tardies = 2 Days of In-School Suspension

g.   15-16 Tardies = 2 Days of Out-Of-School Suspension

h.   17 Tardies And Up =3-10 Days of Out-Of-School Suspension -– may recommend expulsion/alternative placement

3.   Guidelines for how attendance is marked in Skyward

a.   10 minutes or less, without excused pass = 1 unexcused tardy

b.   11 minutes or more, without excused pass = 1 unexcused absence

c.   3 unexcused tardies = 1 unexcused absence

 

HABITUAL TRUANCY POLICY

The Washington Community School Board has defined a habitual truant as One who willfully fails to attend school in defiance of Parental Authority. The State of Indiana defines a truant as a student who has more than 10 unexcused absences in an entire school year and will be subject to loss of credit and/or recommend for expulsion. Public Law IC 9-24-2-1 provides that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles may not issue a driver’s license or learner’s permit to a student who is:

1.   Less than eighteen 18 years of age.

2.   A habitual truant; and

3.   Identified to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles by the student’s principal.

4.   Building principals will determine that a student is a habitual truant.

a.   When that student has been truant from school three (3) times in any one semester, or four (4) times in a school year and

b.   A student who is absent from a class period beyond 10 minutes without an excuse constitutes a truancy; and

c.   The student will be identified as a habitual truant following an administrative conference with the student and his/her parent/guardian.

A student identified as a habitual truant is entitled to a review of his/her attendance record at least once a year to determine if the student’s attendance has improved so that the student may become eligible for a driver’s license or learner’s permit.

Non-Issuance or Invalidation and Revalidation of a person’s 

Operator License or Learner’s Permit

1.   NON-ISSUANCE

A driver’s license or learner’s permit may not be issued to an individual less than 18 years of age who meets any of the following conditions:

a.   Is a habitual truant as defined in board policy 5119.1 or IC 20-33-2-11.

b.   Is under at least a second suspension from school for the school year under IC 20-33-8-14 or IC 20-33-8-15.

c.   Is under an expulsion from school IC 20-33-8-14, IC 20-33-8-15, or IC 20-33-8-16.

d.   Has withdrawn from school before graduating to circumvent the sanctions listed under this subsection as determined by the superintendent of schools in which the student is enrolled. IC 9-24-2-1.

e.   Is considered a dropout under IC 20-33-2-28.5.

f.  The school principal is to notify the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles of a student who meets any of the above conditions using State Form 53927 (R/3-12)

2.   INVALIDATION

If a person is less than 18 years of age, a habitual truant, under a second suspension, an expulsion, or exclusion, or has withdrawn from school as described in IC 9-24-2, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall, upon notification by the student’s principal, invalidate the person’s license or permit. The invalidation will expire.

a.   The longer of 120 days after the student is suspended or the end of the semester during which the student returns to school.

b.   The person becomes 18 years of age.

c.   The suspension, expulsion, or exclusion is reversed after the person has had a hearing under IC 20-8.1-5.

d.   The school principal or designee is to notify the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles of a student who meets any of the conditions listed above using Form A:4/95.

3.   REVALIDATION

   Revalidation of the permit or license is allowed if the following conditions are met:

a.   The student has enrolled in a full-time or part-time education program and has participated in 30 or more days in the program

b.   The student submits to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles a statement, which contains the verified signature of the principal or board president of the program in which the student is enrolled and notification that the student has complied with the conditions of subdivision.