Student Expectations

Overview

• Students must consistently attend school, be punctual, and catch up on missed work.
• Parents have a responsibility to take an active role in their child’s education and to support the student’s obligations.
• Teachers will offer engaging lessons and support for absent students.
• The administration will emphasize attendance importance and offer help for attendance issues.

Rationale

Research indicates that regular attendance is crucial for school success. Success is achievable by fostering a strong partnership and maintaining clear communication among the school, parents, and students.

At Fort High, we understand that quality education happens with our skilled teachers in the classroom. The mix of direct instruction, discussion, assessments, and practical experience is critical for effective learning. Students who miss class risk missing out on essential learning components, diminishing their opportunity to achieve course objectives.

Process

Students should coordinate with teachers to address missed work and arrange makeup assessments if absent. Efforts to reduce absences are expected.

Please notify the office of absences on the day via note, email, or phone call.

Extended Absence

Extended absences can significantly affect a student's progress due to the irreplaceable value of instructional time. While teachers will assist students in catching up, they may not provide advanced make-up assignments for missed coursework. Students should notify their teachers about absences as early as possible. Parents and guardians are urged to discuss lengthy absences with school administration and teachers for a clear grasp of the consequences and student obligations upon return. Students will be responsible for making up missed work and assessments independently.

Truancy

Truancy is cause for disciplinary action. Students will be considered truant if they:

• Leave the class or school without permission from the teacher or administration.
• Leave class with the teacher's permission and fail to return in a reasonable time.
• They are in or around the school but not in their scheduled class.
• Are absent from school without parental permission.

Process For Truant Absences

Students must make up missed work on Opportunity Wednesday or an in-school suspension. Despite interventions and non-compliance discussed in parent meetings, excessive unexcused absences will prompt a review to decide if the school's program suits the student’s needs. Truancy will trigger disciplinary actions and consistent communication with parents to emphasize the importance of attendance.

Lates

Punctuality is essential as late arrivals disrupt class and are marked tardy.

Late students must get an admittance slip from the office.

Chronic lateness will result in an attendance plan created with the administration and parents.

Signing Out/In During the Day

Students leaving school during the day need parent/guardian approval and must check out with the office. If ill and wanting to leave, they can do so once a parent is contacted and gives permission.

On returning to school, students must check in at the office.

Elk Island Public Schools has given schools clear direction regarding using personal communication devices during school. Appropriate use of personal communication devices will contribute to the safety and security of students and staff, help minimize risk to personal well-being and disruption to instruction and protect personal privacy and academic integrity. As per EIPS Administrative Procedure 145, Use of Personal Communication Devices, students may not access a PCD (personal communication device) unless given permission by the teacher for a specific educational task or purpose. Students shall have access to a PCD during break periods only (for example, class breaks, lunch breaks and spares). PCDs shall not be in the student’s possession during class time unless the use is for a diagnosed medical condition or an identified inclusive educational need. PCDs are not to be taken into test or examination settings unless students have been permitted to do so. PCDs are not to be used in change rooms, washrooms, private counselling rooms or any setting that has the potential to violate a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy. Students will be required to leave their PCD in their locker during class.

Students bring PCDs to school at their own risk. The security and storage of these items are the sole responsibility of the owner/user. EIPS assumes no responsibility for the safety, security, loss, repair or replacement of PCDs. Owners and users of PCDs who bring and use their devices in contravention of this policy accept the risk that their devices may be confiscated.