Columbia Middle School

School Policies - Attendance

Success in school and regular attendance go hand in hand. Students are expected to be present and punctual for all classes throughout the year. The only excuses for absence are personal illness and medical or dental appointments.

Absence:

• When a student returns after being absent he/she must go to the office before school to get an admit slip.  It should then be initialed by teachers throughout the day. 
• Parents must submit a note or call the school office, (408) 522-8247 x19, explaining why their son or daughter was absent.
• A student's grades can be affected if work is not completed. It is a joint responsibility of student, teacher, and parent, to make immediate plans to complete missed school work.

Truancy:

• Truancy is an unexcused absence. A student is truant if he/she misses school without a valid excuse, leaves school without permission, or does not attend all classes.
• Students who are truant for a full day will be assigned detention.
• Students who cut classes will be assigned lunch detention for hours missed. Students may also suffer loss of certain privileges and/or other administrative action.
• If truancy and/or tardiness continue, a student will be referred to the Student Attendance Review Board.

Tardiness:

• A student is considered tardy if he/she is not in his/her seat with required materials when the tardy bell rings.
• A student tardy to school or any class is to go to the attendance office for an "Admit to Class" slip and will serve after school detention the next day.