One of the cornerstones of a successful high school education is the development of regular school attendance patterns. Every effort should be made to keep the student in school.  Therefore, the principal may modify the attendance guidelines and contract with the student regarding attendance (taking into consideration the circumstances for the cumulative absences, student behavior/discipline, progress report, etc.).

1) Students may earn credits in courses provided their absences are limited to SEVEN (7) per class for a given trimester.  Consequences for excessive absences are as follows

a. Students who miss class for the eighth (8th) time may forfeit all credit for the trimester and will be removed to ISS for that period for the remainder of the trimester.

2) EVERY ABSENCE in a class period counts toward the seven (7) allowable absences per class per trimester, except the exempted absences listed below in (a.3).  An absence will be defined as missing more than ten (10) minutes of class without a pass authorizing the absence.  Steps will be taken to notify the parent/guardian as certain allowable limits are approached.

a. Types of Absences

1. UNEXCUSED - absent from school, class, or any school day assembly without permission from parent/guardian or school staff (after 48 hours, unverified absences may become truancies- see truancy)

2. EXCUSED - absent from school with parent/guardian notification either by a phone call or a written note, or with a doctor’s excuse 

3. EXEMPTED - absent from school as verified by the principal or principal designee, which does NOT count toward the SEVEN (7) allowable absences

a. working at an official election

b. court appearances

c. service in the National Guard

d. serving as a page for the General Assembly

e. school-sponsored field trips

f. suspensions, either in-school or out-of-school

g. illness with proper documentation from physician (presented to school within 48 hours upon the return to school)

h. funeral of an immediate family member

i. Other one-time verified extenuating circumstances (such as college visits) with proper physical documentation (including but not limited to:  parking receipts, event  programs, itineraries, etc…) as approved by the administration may be exempted if they are communicated to the principal,  assistant principal, or dean of students prior to their occurrence.

3) Students must realize that the SEVEN (7) absence rule applies per class per trimester. Only someone on the student’s contact list may call the school to excuse the student.  The student must sign out at the office when they leave and sign in at the office if they return to school later in the same day.

4) Truancy - absent from school, class, or any school day assembly without permission from parent/guardian and school staff.  Truancy is a serious issue and will be handled as both an attendance issue and a discipline issue (see discipline section- Truancy).  Examples of truancy will include, but not be limited to:

a. Skipping a class or study hall

b. Leaving school grounds without proper permission and procedure

c. Being on school grounds at a location other than indicated on the student’s schedule without permission

5) Once a student has arrived on school grounds, whether it is by bus, private vehicle, or on foot, the student may not leave school grounds until properly dismissed through the office by the principal or the principal’s designee.  This includes those students who ride the A.M. Prosser bus.

6) Tardies

a. A student will be considered tardy up to 5 minutes after the scheduled start of class. 

b. A student arriving later than 5 minutes after the start of class without a pass from the office, the nurse, guidance, another teacher, or school administrators will be referred to a school administrator to explain their tardiness.  Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken by the school administration if the reason for the tardiness is deemed inappropriate.

c.  Parents can only clear up to 5 tardies to 1st period per trimester.  

d. The following policy regarding tardies:

i. 1st tardy: warning
ii. 2nd tardy: warning
iii. 3rd tardy: detention
iv. 4th tardy: detention
v. 5th tardy: 1 ISS
vi. 6th tardy: 1 FNS
vii. 7th tardy: 1 FNS
vii. 8th tardy: 1 day OSS
ix. 9th tardy: 2 days OSS
x. 10th tardy: withdraw from the class

e. Students arriving ten minutes or more after the starting time bell will be considered absent from their first period class.  Students that arrive later than ten minutes after the starting time bell are still expected to attend the class regardless of the arrival time.

7) Reporting an Absence

a. To report a student being absent, please call 812-752-8927.   If the call is outside the normal school hours, the school has a phone with a 24-hour answering machine.  If it is not possible or convenient, a note from a parent/guardian or doctor will be accepted.  All absences must be verified within 48 hours or the absence will be classified as unexcused.  Once a student accumulates 10 unexcused absences, he or she may be removed from classes for the remainder of the trimester, so it is very important for parents/guardians to call in to excuse absences.

9) Make-Up Policy

a. Students are allowed to make up work for missed absences.  It is the students’ responsibility to obtain make-up work from their teachers on the day that they return to school following an absence.  The student will be allowed one day for each day missed to make up the work.

10) Participation in Extracurricular Activities

a. Students must be in school by the end of first period and complete the school day in order to participate in any school activity, sports event, or practice scheduled for that day.  Scheduled appointments such as doctor and dentist appointments are excused from this rule as long as the proper documentation is presented or prior verification is made with the principal or designee.

11) Closed Campus

a. Scottsburg High School has a closed campus and students are NOT allowed to leave during the lunch period.  The delivery of food to Scottsburg High School students is NOT allowed.  Situations in which the student must leave during the lunch period will require the parent/guardian or other adult listed on the emergency form in the office to come in physically to sign out the student.  Students who are allowed to sign out themselves (e.g., age 19 – documentation on file) may periodically sign out during the lunch period (i.e., no more than twice a month).  They will not be allowed to bring food on campus or bring food or drink to other students.  Abuse of this policy will require a parent/administrator conference.

12) Field Trips

a. Field trips are considered an essential part of a student’s educational experience.  However, a student’s attendance and classroom performance can affect a student’s participation in a field trip.  Proper student conduct is expected and all Scottsburg High School rules apply.  Parental/guardian permission slips must be signed and returned to the appropriate staff member.  Participation in a field trip is voluntary, but an alternative assignment may be given.

13) Homebound Instruction

a. A student who misses school as the result of a serious physical or mental illness, pregnancy, or accident may be eligible for homebound instruction.  The condition must be documented by a licensed physician and information about the application process may be obtained through the principal or guidance office.

14) Scott County Attendance Policy

a. The Scott County Attendance Review Board will meet with students and their parents based on attendance limits being reached throughout the school year.  Please contact your local school administrator to answer any questions you might have regarding the policy.