Sparta Twp Public Schools

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The Sparta Board of Education believes that regular attendance in class and participation in class activities, and interaction between student and teacher are a vital and integral part of the learning process.  Frequent absence of pupils from regular classroom learning experiences disrupts the continuity of the instructional process.  The school cannot teach students who are not present.  Poor attendance limits accomplishments and reinforces a habit that will handicap the individual in future education or employment.  Therefore, the Sparta Board of Education requires the regular attendance of all students each day the school is in session.

It is expected that a parent/guardian phone the Attendance Office to report his/her student absent.  This phone call should be made before 8:30 a.m. and may be left on the Attendance Office voice mail.

 
SHS understand that on occasion students must arrive late to or leave early from school.  Therefore, in addition to taking attendance during homeroom, each teacher takes attendance throughout the day to maintain accurate attendance records.  Because of this, a student’s absences may vary from class to class/period to period if he or she leaves early or arrives late. 

All students are permitted maximum number of unexcused absences from class.  If the maximum number of days is exceeded, he/she will lose credit.  Parent verification is not an excused absence.  Absences which will not count toward the loss of credit will include:

·        Absences verified by a doctor’s note

·        School sanctioned field trips/events.

·        Driver’s license exam.

·        Death in the immediate family.

·        Religious holidays as prescribed by the State Department of Education.  (For an excused absence for religious holiday, a note must be submitted in advance.)

·        Administrative reasons (e.g., suspension from school)

·        Verified legal obligations

·        School approved 11^th and 12^th grade college visits (3 max.) with pre-scheduled appointment. 

      Documentation of scheduled appointment must be furnished to Attendance Office

Sparta High School cannot successfully fulfill its responsibility to a student unless the student is present for classes.  Each day unexcused absence will be counted toward the 14 day limit (full year course), 7 day limit (semester course), 10 day limit (PE), 4 day limit (Health) and the student will receive no credit for each course in which they go beyond the maximum number of days permitted.

·        A class absence occurs when 10 or more minutes of the period is missed.

·        Parents and students are urged to monitor class attendance.  Attendance information is reported on progress reports (when there is a concern) and on report cards.

·        A student who loses credit for a course will have the option of remaining in the course or of being placed in Study Hall.  The student choosing to be placed in a study hall is relinquishing the right to appeal.  

·        Appeals will only be considered under exceptional and extenuating circumstances. 

·        The “Academic Appeals Committee” will hear appeals of loss of credit for those students who remained in the course and received a passing grade.  The student appeal must be in writing and must list reasons for its validity.