Attendance Policies

Absences

When a student must miss school, please abide by the following steps to receive an excused absence:

1. The parent must call the school office between 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. if requesting classwork or homework.
2. Provide an email or note to the teacher as to the reason for the absence. 
3. When the student reaches five (5) unexcused absences per quarter, a form letter will be sent to the parents noting the dates missed.
4. For a prolonged illness, an explanation letter from a doctor or parent will be required.

Examples of excused absences are as follows:

1. Sickness with parent verification by note (Students must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school).
2. Medical appointment that requires the day with verification by a note from the doctor or parent
3. Court appearances
4. Auto accidents, direct involvement
5. Unique, unavoidable circumstances, as approved by administration
6. Pre-arranged absences.

Examples of unexcused absences are as follows:

1. Completing homework assignment or project (a long-term project is still due and will be counted as late)
2. No transportation
3. Trip to Disneyland/amusement parks/sporting events
4. Too tired
5. Family vacations (not pre-arranged)

The administration will be responsible to determine whether an absence or tardy is excused or unexcused.

Non-Promotion Due To Absences

A student who for any reason is absent twelve (12) times per semester will risk non-promotion. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the administration for such matters as personal illness, (must be validated by physician’s statement) and personal or family problems. To avoid non-promotion, a student with excessive absences due to a re-occurring illness must provide a doctor’s note verifying the illness and describing the subsequent treatment. In all cases, academic work missed must be completed.

Pre-Arranged Absences

Students who plan to be absent for more than three days during the school year due to family vacations, church retreats, or mission efforts must petition the administration for prior approval of the absence.

The student must obtain a pre-arranged absence form from the front office, which is to be signed by the parent. If approved, a copy of the request will be given to the parent and teacher. Administrative approval must be obtained two weeks in advance of the intended absences. These absences will be counted in the student’s excused absence total and will eliminate the chance to receive the Perfect Attendance Award.

Approval will be granted for one such activity, others may be granted as an unexcused absence. Failure to receive pre-arranged approval may result in these absences becoming unexcused. Make-up work may be provided based on a teacher’s discretion.

Tardiness

Grace is very concerned with the problem of tardiness and the consequent disruption of the classroom as well as the loss in participation time for the students. Students and parents need to understand that they have a responsibility to the class and to themselves to be on time.

All students that are not in line with their class when the bell rings are considered tardy. All tardies are determined excused or unexcused by the school office upon arrival.

Examples of excused tardies are as follows:

1. Sickness with parent verification by note or phone call
2. Medical appointment with verification by a note from doctor or parent
3. Auto accidents, direct or indirect involvement (subject to verification)
4. Unavoidable breakdowns (flat tire, dead battery, etc.). Running out of gas is not an unavoidable breakdown
5. Unique, unavoidable circumstances, as confirmed by administration
6. School bus delays or breakdowns

Examples of unexcused tardies are as follows:

1. Oversleeping
2. Running out of gas
3. Normal traffic problems
4. Completing a homework assignment
5. Alarm did not go off
6. Late getting home the night before because of school activity

Tardy Policy

After eight (8) unexcused tardies, students may receive an after-school detention.

Make-Up Work

Students with excused absences will be allowed the number of days absent for make-up work. For example, a student is absent three days. Upon return will have 3 days to complete homework and/or tests. A student absent only on the day of a test or the day before a test may be required by the teacher to take the test immediately upon his/her return.

Teachers will not allow students to make up any work missed during an unexcused absence if the absence is not cleared with a note within three (3) school days. Assignments will be graded as a “zero”. Students with 

unexcused absences will be responsible to obtain any missed work upon their return and will have an equal amount of days to complete assignments. Failure to complete any missed assignments will result in a zero.

4th – 6th Grade Students may get their assignments and homework from MyGrace. All books must be requested before 9:00 a.m. on the day of absence.

6th Grade Students are responsible to determine what work or tests were missed and initiating arrangements with the teacher. A lower grade or zero will be given for work not turned in on time.

Physical Education Exemptions

Physical education is an important subject for all students. One-day exemptions from PE may be made based on a note signed by the parent, but a written note from a physician is needed for any exemptions over one day. Any student without a note must take PE unless the PE teacher or administrator acknowledges the student’s physical inability to participate. A student who has a doctor’s note for an extended exemption will be placed on Contract PE which will include a requirement to write a one-page report for each week of Contract PE. The PE teacher will determine the topic for the reports.

Illnesses

Students must be fever and vomit-free for 24 hours before returning to school.