Whitney High School

Attendance Policy

Tardies:

Whitney students are expected to arrive at class on time out of respect for the teacher, classmates, and learning environment. Teachers must mark all tardies, and students may not be allowed to make up any work or class time missed.

To monitor this, the Attendance Secretary will do a tardy survey every 2 weeks. Students with 5 total tardies per semester (all periods included) will receive a letter home to parents and 2 hours of detention. Students with 10 total tardies per semester will receive 4 hours of detention and a mandatory parent conference to examine the specific problem, establish a contract for behavior improvement, and outline further consequences such as removal from class/rescheduling, loss of privileges, suspension, or loss of permit to attend WHS.

Absences:

Regular student attendance in class is the basis for student learning and thus is regulated by California Ed Code and School Board Policy. It is Whitney policy to adhere to these guidelines and promote learning by maintaining the highest levels of attendance.

Whitney students are expected to be in class each scheduled period of each day of the school year unless the absence has been excused and verified by a parent, a physician, or a school activity. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the Attendance Office of absences and provide verifications in a timely manner. At the end of each school day, any unexcused or unverified absences will generate an automated phone call home to notify parents of the need to verify the absence right away.

Students with legitimate appointments during the school day (dentist, doctor, etc.) should check out through the attendance office and check in to the attendance office. To release a student with a legitimate appointment, a parent can choose to notify the Attendance Office by phone call, note or in person. Students may not leave campus without picking up an outside pass. Students who leave campus without picking up an outside pass will be required to serve a Saturday detention. Students who leave campus without permission and ask their parent/guardian to clear them after the fact are in defiance of the school policies and such absences will not be excused.

Extended or extensive absences should be avoided whenever possible and will be treated according to Board and Ed Code policies. For example, doctors’ notes may be required for extended or habitual absences, or failing grades may be issued for ten or more unexcused absences in a semester.

One hundred percent of Whitney students attend college or univeristy after Whitney. Part of our mission is to ensure success in college and success in careers. Some of the best predictors of success are constancy, perseverance, commitment and dependability. The attendance rate at Whitney exceeds 99%.

Students are empowered to use their best judgment in choosing effective behaviors. Whitney students are required to know Attendance and Behavior Guidelines to that they may promote educational success for themselves and other students. The more students are productively involved in school life and learning, the more they will optimize their abilities and character. Students, who genuinely share this common purpose and value, choose behaviors that guide them to accomplishments of their goals and best interests. For all questions regarding the attendace policy, please refer to the student handbook.


		Attendance Policy Tardies: Whitney students are expected to arrive at class on time out of respect for the teacher, classmates, and learning environment. Teachers must mark all tardies, and students may not be allowed to make up any work or class time missed. To monitor this, the Attendance Secretary will do a tardy survey every 2 weeks. Students with 5 total tardies per semester (all periods included) will receive a letter home to parents and 2 hours of detention. Students with 10 total tardies per semester will receive 4 hours of detention and a mandatory parent conference to examine the specific problem, establish a contract for behavior improvement, and outline further consequences such as removal from class/rescheduling, loss of privileges, suspension, or loss of permit to attend WHS. Absences: Regular student attendance in class is the basis for student learning and thus is regulated by California Ed Code and School Board Policy. It is Whitney policy to adhere to these guidelines and promote learning by maintaining the highest levels of attendance. Whitney students are expected to be in class each scheduled period of each day of the school year unless the absence has been excused and verified by a parent, a physician, or a school activity. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the Attendance Office of absences and provide verifications in a timely manner. At the end of each school day, any unexcused or unverified absences will generate an automated phone call home to notify parents of the need to verify the absence right away. Students with legitimate appointments during the school day (dentist, doctor, etc.) should check out through the attendance office and check in to the attendance office. To release a student with a legitimate appointment, a parent can choose to notify the Attendance Office by phone call, note or in person. Students may not leave campus without picking up an outside pass. Students who leave campus without picking up an outside pass will be required to serve a Saturday detention. Students who leave campus without permission and ask their parent/guardian to clear them after the fact are in defiance of the school policies and such absences will not be excused. Extended or extensive absences should be avoided whenever possible and will be treated according to Board and Ed Code policies. For example, doctors’ notes may be required for extended or habitual absences, or failing grades may be issued for ten or more unexcused absences in a semester. One hundred percent of Whitney students attend college or univeristy after Whitney. Part of our mission is to ensure success in college and success in careers. Some of the best predictors of success are constancy, perseverance, commitment and dependability. The attendance rate at Whitney exceeds 99%. Students are empowered to use their best judgment in choosing effective behaviors. Whitney students are required to know Attendance and Behavior Guidelines to that they may promote educational success for themselves and other students. The more students are productively involved in school life and learning, the more they will optimize their abilities and character. Students, who genuinely share this common purpose and value, choose behaviors that guide them to accomplishments of their goals and best interests. For all questions regarding the attendace policy, please refer to the student handbook.