Attendance Policy
OBJECTIVE: To create a learning environment to maximize learning potential by promoting exceptional school attendance and prompt arrival to school and individual classes.
SCOPE: All students in grades K through 12
DEFINITIONS:
Absence: Any student who is not present for an entire class period or school day. Absences are divided into two types:
Excused: Any absence that is approved by both the school and the parent/guardian.
Unexcused: Any absence that is not approved by the school.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
A parent/guardian must contact the school office each day their student is absent, regardless of the student’s age, to state the reason for absence, except in the case of prearranged, extended absences. Examples of excused absences: Illness, Family Emergency, Religious Holidays, and School-Sanctioned Activities.
Students should be kept home during illness. Students should be considered ill if they have had any of the following symptoms within the past 24 hours:
• Oral Temperature of 100 degrees F or Higher
• Productive (mucus-producing) Cough
• Diarrhea or multiple loose stools
• Vomiting, even in small amounts, or even if the child feels “normal again”
• Unexplained rash
If a parent/guardian has good reason to believe that their child is at risk of harming him/herself or others at Liberty, the parent/guardian must keep their child home to seek the appropriate help needed for their child to safely return.
MAKE-UP FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES
Lower School: If a Lower School student has an excused absence of one or more days, his/her parent may come to pick up the work missed along with any school books necessary no earlier than 1 pm on the day the student is absent. Otherwise, this process will be followed:
A. The classroom teacher will complete a “Make-Up Homework” form for the student to take home.
B. The teacher will collect and provide all missed assignments.
C. A parent or guardian must initial the form after the student completes each assignment.
D. Students are given 2 days for every day missed to complete missed assignments.
E. Completing work at recess or lunch is also an option if the teacher feels it is necessary to “catch-up.”
Middle/Upper School: If a Middle/Upper School student has an excused absence of one or more days, his/her parent may email the separate teachers for the missed assignments. Otherwise, this process will be followed:
A. Teachers will collect homework and all related materials for the student.
B. Materials may either be emailed or picked up directly from the office.
C. Students need to obtain notes from a classmate (students may use the office copy machine only if a teacher is present).
D. If a test is missed, students must arrange a time with the teacher to take the test. Tests must be taken within the allotted time.
E. Students are given two days for every day missed to complete missed assignments and tests. Any assignment
that has not been completed within 3 class periods of the allotted time becomes a missing assignment.
After missing two days, a family member needs to come to the school and gather the necessary assignments to be completed at home.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES / TRUANCY
Liberty Classical Academy removes itself from responsibility to a student whose absence is unexcused. Students are expected to complete any assignments that they miss; due dates will not be extended if an absence is considered unexcused. Examples of unexcused absences: leaving without permission, oversleeping, invalid exploitation based on “Excused Absence” policy detailed above.
PREARRANGED ABSENCES
A written explanation from the parent/guardian (regardless of the student’s age) for the upcoming absence should be submitted to the school office at least five days prior to the student’s absence. The student or parent is responsible for collecting all work and making alternate arrangements for testing prior to their absence.
EXCESSIVE ABSENCES (11–14 DAYS)
In the event the total number of excused and unexcused absences (not including school-related absences such as field trips, sporting contests, etc.) from a class in any given semester exceeds ten class periods, the student may receive a deduction of one letter grade in those class(es).
EXTREME ABSENCES (15+DAYS)
In the event a student’s absence from a given class exceeds 15 days (not including school-related absences such as field trips, sporting contests, etc.) during one semester whether excused or unexcused, the student’s parents will meet with the Division Director, and any necessary teacher(s), to determine whether the student will receive one of the following on their report card: (1) a letter grade (2) pass or fail (3) no credit (4) incomplete based on unusual circumstances.
ABSENCES DUE TO EMOTIONAL/MENTAL HEALTH
- If a student misses a significant amount of school due to an emotional/mental health situation, the case for participation in/re-entry into normal school life will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the administration.
a. If the situation required withdrawal from school that resulted in the student being hospitalized and/or admitted into a mental health care facility...
i. The parent(s)/guardian(s) of the child will need to present a Release Form from the medical/mental health professional the student worked with confirming the child is not a risk to themselves or to others.
ii. The appropriate Director will need to work with the medical/mental health professional in order to ascertain a healthy and realistic “re-entry plan” for the student to enter back into normal school life.
b. If the situation has resulted in a pattern of missing class or inability to participate in the school’s program according to normal expectations...
i. The parent(s)/guardian(s) of the child will need to present a written note from a Medical/Mental health professional confirming the child’s mental/emotional state prevents them from normal participation in school functions
ii. The course of action will be determined on a case-by-case basis by either the appropriate division
Director or primary teacher(s) involved. - If a parent/guardian has good reason to believe that their child is at risk of harming him/herself or others at Liberty, parents/guardians must either:
a. Inform the school ahead of time, before sending their student to school
b. Keep their child home to seek the appropriate help needed for their child to safely return
LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DISMISSAL SIGN IN – SIGN OUT
1. Requires verbal or written permission from a parent/guardian.
2. Students must check out in the office prior to leaving.
3. Students must check in to the office prior to entering the classroom after class has begun.
4. Students will not be allowed to sign themselves out of school unless arrangements are made with the Division
Director and parent/guardian, with the exception of 11th and 12th graders who are allowed under certain
circumstances to leave campus during lunch. Please see Division Director for conditions.
5. Students of any age may not leave the school building with anyone other than the parent/guardian unless the office has verbal or written permission from the parent/guardian.
6. Signing out at lunchtime is limited to the parent/guardian physically coming to the school office to sign the student out, and physically coming to the school office to sign the student in upon return.
Revised Date: August 16, 2021