Attendance

1. Alaska State Statute 14.30.010 states that “Every child between seven and sixteen years of age shall attend school at the public school in the district in which the child resides during each school tern.  Every parent, guardian or other person given the responsibility for or control of a child between seven and 16 years of age shall ensure that the child is not absent from attendance…”  While recognizing that the responsibility for the regular attendance of a student lies with the parent of that student, the schools also recognize an obligation to assist the parent and child to ensure that regular attendance does occur.  The following attendance policy is designed to encourage regular attendance and ensure communication between the school and the parents.

2. Students are required to attend all scheduled classes unless authorized by parents or school personnel to be absent.

3. When the student falls within the compulsory attendance regulation (under 16 years of age), in addition to having the documented permission of the parent or guardian to miss school or e absent from class, the absences shall comply with the Alaska State Compulsory Attendance Laws 14.30.010.

4. Students with unauthorized absences from classes shall be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to required parent conferences, detention and/or suspension.  On the first unauthorized absence, the parent will be notified, make-up, detention or work detail will be assigned, and the ASD attendance policy will be explained.  A subsequent unauthorized absence shall result in detention, suspension or other appropriate disciplinary action.  Habitual violation of the attendance policy may result in long-term suspension and/or withdrawal from school.

5. Parents are expected to call the school by 10:00am each morning that their students is absent from school to excuse him/her from that day’s attendance.

6. Any student who is absent from school for 10 or more consecutive days without parent contact may be dropped from the ASD rolls.  Prior to withdrawal for non-attendance, reasonable effort will be made and documented to return that student to full-time attendance.  Parents will be involved in the attempt to remediate the attendance problem, prior to withdrawal for non-attendance.  Students withdrawn may be re-enrolled at the beginning of the next school quarter.

7. Known, or suspected cases of violation of AS 14.30.010 shall be reported to the Executive Director of Middle Level Education.

8. Middle schools are closed campuses.  Students are to remain on school grounds unless excused according to school policies.

Absenteeism Notification

1. An automated phone system will call a designated phone number on each period absence each school day.  Calls will be placed in the evening after the close of business.  Target numbers can be changed by contacting the school attendance office at 742-4714.

2. Through school newsletters, parents will be advised regarding the timing and content of the call. 

Late Arrival/Tardiness

Any secondary student who is late for class without an acceptable excuse shall be noted as tardy.  A student is considered tardy if he/she is not in the classroom at the beginning of the class period.  All students are expected to be on time to school and to arrive at all classes during the day on time.  Each middle School will implement a procedure that included parent notification of the assignment of work details or detention and suspension for repeated tardy problems.  Should students arrive late, they are required to provide a note from their parents. 

Leaving School During The Day  (Blue Pass)

Leaving school before the normal dismissal time is permitted provided that prior consent of a parent is obtained by note or telephone, and that prior school approval is given.  School approval is obtained by requesting a blue pass from the attendance office.  Students who leave the building during the school day without a blue pass will be regarded as truant.  Without prior parent/guardian authorization the school will not pick-up or release of a student. 

Pre-acknowledged Absence

When a student knows in advance that he/she will be absent from school for five or more days, he/she shall complete a Pre-acknowledged Absence form.  Copies of this form are available in the attendance office and should be turned in to the attendance secretary upon completion prior to the absence. 

Responsibility to Homeless Children

No homeless child will be deprived of any opportunities or benefits offered by the district because of family living situation.  Provisions will be made to help homeless students continue to attend their school of origin.  Transportation will be provided to homeless students comparable to that received by other district students.  The district will make special efforts to ensure the enrollment and attendance of homeless students who do not currently attend school. 

Tardiness

All students are expected to be on time to school and to arrive at all classes during the day on time.  A student is considered tardy if he/she is not in the classroom at the beginning of the class period.  Any secondary student who is late for class without an acceptable excuse shall be noted as tardy.  Each secondary school will implement a procedure that included parent notification of the assignment of work details or detention, and suspension for repeated tardy problems. 

Transfer or Withdrawal from School

The parent/guardian should notify the attendance office two days in advance if a student is moving out of the District or transferring to another school within the District.  The registrar will issue a withdrawal slip which is to be signed by each of his/her teachers during the day, as well as the librarian, cafeteria manager, nurses, etc.   It should be returned to the office last period.  A withdrawal is official when obligations to the school and District have been met. 

Grading System

Reporting periods are nine-weeks in length.  IN middle level schools (grades 6, 7and 8), each nine-week grade is a final grade for the grading period. 

“A”     This mark indicates that student has done work in quality and quantity far in excess of the standards set for the for a satisfactory grade in the course.

“B”     This mark indicates that the student is doing work in quality and quantity above the standards set forth for a passing grade in the course.

“C”     This mark is a satisfactory passing grade.  It indicated that the student is acquiring the necessary information to proceed in the subject.  He/she is meeting the standards set for a passing grade in the course.

“D”    This mark indicates that he student is not effectively mastering the work assigned but has sufficient understanding of the subject to justify the opinion that more growth will result from advancement than from repetition of the course.

“F”     Insufficient progress in the subject to merit granting of credit in the course.

“WF” or “WP” Student has been withdrawn from the course “failing” or “passing”.

“I”      Represents an incomplete grade on required course work due to an acceptable reason.  Student will be given a reasonable period of time to remove the incomplete. 

Honor Roll

Middle level students earning a 3.0 grade average will be eligible.  Any “F” or “D” grade will disqualify a student for that grading period.  Grades in all subjects will be considered.

Make-Up Procedures

Students with illness, pre-acknowledged, and activity absences may make up work.  Forms for pre-acknowledged absence are available in the office.  One day of make-up privilege will be granted for each day of absence up to a maximum of five school days, regardless of the length of the absence.  If notification of a test was given before the absence, the student will be expected to take the test the day he/she returns to school.

Parent Request for Homework

Being in class is very important to be able to learn all that you can.  In the event that you must be absent or are sick, once the absence is excused through the office, you have one day for every day absent to make up the work, up to a maximum of five days. 

During your absence, parents can call the attendance secretary 742-4714 to request homework for a student or the counselor (see phone numbers below).   We ask parents to give teachers at least 24 hours notice to gather and provide homework/assignments for students especially if the request is made after the start of the school day.  

If parents are able to request homework no later than 8:15am, the schoolwork will be dropped off at the front office by all teachers.   If a teacher has assigned an assignment that can not be completed at home (ex. A science lab) then we ask teachers to provide alternative assignments for the student.   If a teacher does not have a homework assignment for that day we request that this information be written as well as verbally conveyed to the parents to ensure clarity and no misunderstanding. This will keep both parents and school working collaboratively together to assist student success.  All requested assignments gathered and picked up are due on the day the student returns to school.   (Keep in mind that many of our students do not have help at home…. Please make considerations when necessary.)

Contact the attendance secretary at 742-4714 or a Counselor:

Progress Reports

The main function of progress reports is to inform the student and parent/guardian of the progress the individual student has made in class.  It is expected that accurate and objective reporting to the student and parent/guardian will encourage the student to make use of his/her educational opportunities to the best of his/her abilities.

Interim progress reports (pink skips/computer grade reports) may be given by the teacher/team at any time.  They are usually issued at the mid-point of a nine-week period.  The reports are designed to inform the student and parent/guardian of the student’s progress in a given subject area at that point in time.  The reasons for an outstanding, satisfactory, unsatisfactory, or failing rating are marked.  These notices act as a general guide to both parent/guardian and student so that student may improve his/her study and performance habits.  If you have specific questions call the teacher/team for further direction or conference.

School Dances