Attendance

It is important to a student’s success in school that the habit of regular and punctual attendance is practiced. Therefore, regular attendance is required to obtain maximum results in learning and IS the responsibility of the parent/guardian. Regular attendance is required by State Law. (Neb. Rev. State. 79-201) In compliance with the State Department of Education Rules and Regulations regarding the length of a school day and year, St. John’s School will be in session and will accumulate at least 1032 instructional hours. The time period provided for students to eat lunch shall not count towards the 1032 hours required.

Once a student arrives on the school grounds, the student may not leave the grounds until the end of the school day, unless permission has been granted by the principal.

• If a student is late for school, he/she must report to the school office prior to going to the classroom. Any/all student absences require a written note or email to the school office with the stated reason for absence.
• If a student is absent, parents must contact the school by 9:00 a.m. by phone OR email and indicate the nature of the absence. If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent, he or she will need to email or bring a note from a parent to the school office at least one day ahead of time.
• Absences for vacations, sporting events, and other social activities are considered unexcused. The administration will determine whether an absence is excused or unexcused. This is handled on a case by case basis.
• If a parent finds it necessary to withdraw a student before dismissal, the parent or another adult identified in advance by the parent must report to the school office and sign them out before taking the student.

Consequences for Violating Attendance Policy

St. John’s school will only accept 5 unexcused tardies and/or absences each semester before a student will become responsible for their actions. (See Sequence of Action chart below) For each tardy and/or absence after the fifth, the student will receive a detention slip for parent signature and return form the next day. Detentions will be served the next day and will last from 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. After the tenth time, the student is tardy and/or absent from school within that semester, it will result in an In-School Suspension and detention. The In-School Suspension will be for three school days. After the fifteenth tardy and/or absence during that semester, the student will be suspended from school for a period of a week (5 school days). If the problem continues we will proceed with expulsion.

Unexcused Tardies and Absences - Sequence of Action Chart