Holy Cross School Policies - Attendance

To receive the maximum benefit from classroom and instructional participation, it is important that a child report to school on time and each day. Parents are urged to enforce this habit. Illness of the pupil, death in the family, and exceptional instances that affect the child are legitimate excuses for absence from school.
A student who is not in school on an attendance day and who is not attending a school approved sponsored event or occasion at another location is recorded as being absent.
The school building opens at 8:10 am. When the weather is inclement students will be allowed into the building foyer at 8:00 am. Students are expected to be in class at the time of the second bell, 8:15 am. The school is not responsible for students who arrive before the school building is open. Students are expected to wait for the bell in an orderly and safe manner.
Classes are dismissed at 2:40 pm, at which time responsibility is transferred back to the parent. Only those students who have permission from their parents to remain for after-school activities are allowed in the building after this time.
With the start of the third week of the school term, kindergarten children will be expected to enter the building unescorted by a parent or parent designee.

Absences

For your child's protection, a parent is requested to call the Health Office by 8:15 am to report a student's absence. Homework requests are made at the time of a student's absence, for those who will be absent for more than one day. A recorded message may be left at any time. If a child is absent and the parent does not notify the school, the school nurse or secretary will attempt to contact the parent to question the absence. To alleviate any undue anxiety and concern on the part of the school and out of respect for the value of the time of the nurse and the secretary, please phone the school as directed above.
A note, written and signed by a parent, must be presented upon the child's return to school with the following information:

* Child's name
* Grade and Room number
* Date of absence
* Reason for absence
* Signature of parent

If a child is absent for five (5) or more days, a doctor's note must be presented to the nurse. All contagious diseases must be reported as soon as diagnosed.
A student who participates in a Holy Cross extra-curricular program and who is absent during the school day due to an illness is not allowed to participate in any events later that day.

Early Dismissal

Doctor or other appointments should be scheduled outside school hours whenever possible. A written notification from the parent must be submitted to the homeroom teacher before the requested day of early dismissal stating the reason for this request. The note should include:

* Child's name
* Grade and Room number
* Day and Time of Dismissal
* Destination
* Name of adult coming for the child
* Signature of parent

Any early dismissal, tardiness, or absence may disqualify a student as a candidate for the Perfect Attendance Award given at the end of a school term
The parent or parent/designated adult is to meet the child in the school office and sign the register. Students are not permitted to leave the building without fulfillment of the above procedure.

Make Up Work

When a student is absent, it is his responsibility, upon returning to school, to consult with the teacher or his assigned peer regarding work to be made up. Parents requesting homework for a student absent more than one day, are required to make the request by phone no later than 11:00 am of the day on which this material will be picked up after school. The materials will be found at the Homework Center located in the hall near the School Office.

Physical Education and Recess Excuses

A child will be excused from PE and recess for one day upon receipt of a written note from the parent. Any subsequent days must be accompanied by a signed doctors excuse.

If an extended absence of more than fifteen successive school days takes place, for other than health reasons or for reasons otherwise agreed upon, the student may be withdrawn from the class.

Tardy and Truant

Punctuality is very important to the education of a student. Tardiness is a practice, which is disruptive for the given student, for the class, the teacher, and routines necessary for the functioning of the school. Occasional tardiness for some unforeseen and valid reason should be accompanied by a note or phone call from the parent. A student who is late must report to the office and obtain an admittance slip to class. Students must be in their homeroom when the second bell rings at 8:15 am.
At the end of each month, parents of students who were tardy more than three times will receive a letter of notification. A detention may be issued. If chronic tardiness continues to be the pattern, a conference with the parents will be scheduled and further consequences established and enforced.
Students who are not in school or who are tardy without parental or school consent will be considered truant. Truancy will be considered a serious matter.

Vacations

Absence due to a vacation during the school term is seen as a serious interruption of the student's formal educational program. It compromises the teacher's ability to fulfill her responsibility and is, therefore, strongly discouraged. Schoolwork is not provided in advance of a vacation. The teacher is not responsible for providing individual instruction in anticipation of or following a period of vacation. To receive credit for written work missed during a vacation, students need to complete all assignments within the time frame stipulated by the teacher upon their return. It is recommended that a classmate keep a record of assignments for the vacationing student. Final grades may be affected since written responses are not the only criteria used for a formative and final assessment grade.
Please notify the school in writing prior to a vacation.
It is also helpful for the homeroom teacher to receive notice when parents are out of town and someone else is in charge of the household

Verification Of Reason For Absence

The principal or a designee may require appropriate verification from the parent with respect to absences, including written verification of a student's illness from a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of Illinois in event of frequent or extended absence attributed to personal illness.