Student Attendance Policy for Family Christian Academy
It is impossible for a child to receive the necessary spiritual and educational training provided by the school when he does not maintain proper attendance. We require that all families be good steward of their time and, therefore, keep absences to a minimum. The parents should call and notify the office when a child is absent from school.
When a child is absent, it is the responsibility of the parent and the child to make up any work missed and be prepared for class when he returns. Students should obtain a study partner when they know they are going to be absent so that that the student will be prepared for any tests or assignments due upon his return. Should a student experience an illness or other occasion that would hinder his continuing work at home, the child will receive time equal to his absence to complete the missed work.
Students will not receive credit for a semester course if their absences exceed nine. All absences are counted toward the maximum of nine per semester except:
- Doctor or dentist appointments verified by a doctor or dentist excuse.
- Injury or illness verified in writing by a doctor.
- School related activities approved by the administration.
- Death in the family.
Students may be withdrawn form extracurricular activities if they have poor attendance.
The school will grant five "grace days" per year with prior administrative approval. Grace days are designed to benefit the student academically or the family relationally. Requests for grace days should detail the reason that the grace days are being requested and where the student will be while not in attendance at school. Parents should request grace days at least one week prior to the days the student wishes to be excused from school outside the regular attendance guidelines. Written approval for grace days must be received before the student's absence. The student is solely responsible for obtaining work that is missed and does not receive days equal to the absence to make up work.
Tardiness and late arrivals disrupt the teaching pattern and, therefore, must be kept to a minimum. Students are allowed three late arrivals (arrivals between 7:55 and 8:10 a.m.) per semester. Upon the fourth late arrival, the student will see the principal and call to notify the parent that he/she has received a detention for being late. Upon the fifth, the student will be suspended or the parents will come to the school for council with the administrator to correct the problem.
Elementary students arriving after 8:00 a.m. and before 8:15 a.m. may be brought to class by their parents.
When a student is checking in late, a written excuse will be required. If the check-in is excused under the attendance policy, the student may make up work and confer with the teacher after school. If the check-in is unexcused, the student will receive a "0" for all work missed. Three check-ins are equivalent to one absence.
All check-outs must be done through the office. Teachers will not release students from the classroom. All parties who wish to sign a child out from school must be prepared to show proper identification.
High school students who drive are allowed to sign out when parental permission is verified by the office. Non-driving students must be signed out by parents or be given administrative approval.