Thornton Academy, Preparing Students for a Changing World Since 1811, Saco Maine

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Thornton Academy
438 Main St.
Saco, Maine, 04072
(207) 282-3361

Attendance policy

Class attendance is considered to be a basic educational requirement for passing a subject and earning credits. Classroom instruction and the discussions which take place in the class are important parts of each course. When a student misses class, that part of the instruction cannot be replaced.

Contents

Attendance appeals

Attendance procedures

Consequences for unexcused absences

Tardiness policy

Tardy procedures

Consequences for unexcused tardiness

Tardy to class policy

Tardy to class consequences

Dismissal policy

Definitions

Attendance in educational settings is an important component of learning for students. In an adult world good attendance at work is also expected and required. Parents have an interest and legal responsibility to help the school insure their students' attendance.

Maine Law defines Excused Absences as:
1. Illness when verified by a physician or school nurse, verified medical or dental appointments, death or serious illness in the immediate family, driver examinations, school related activities or field trips, religious observances, pre-approved family trips, and other reasons that constitute extenuating circumstances.

2. Illness when verified by a parent/guardian.

3. Suspension from class or school.

In accordance with Maine School Law and the basic educational tenets previously expressed, Thornton Academy has adopted clear guidelines regarding school and class attendance. All students are expected to be in school on time and all assigned classes every day.

Attendance Appeals
Appeal hearings will be conducted at any time during the school year. A student may appeal this provision before the end of a semester course or before the end of the year.

1. An appeal may be initiated by the student or the appropriate dean.

2. Appeals of unexcused absences will be reviewed by the appropriate dean.

3. Parents/ guardians will be encouraged to attend the appeals session.

Attendance Procedures
Reporting an Absence:
Parents should call or e-mail the attendance office or call the deans' office on the day of absence by 2:00 PM.

The Attendance Office
Tel. 282-3361, ext. 207
E-mail - absent@thornton.saco.org

Or The Deans' Offices:
Freshmen - ext. 274
Sophomores - ext. 263
Juniors -ext. 205
Seniors -ext. 285

*N.B. If there is no notification the absence will be treated as truancy.

Consequences for an Unexcused Absence:
1st Offense - Community service issued, parental notification, counselor notification.

2nd Offense - Out of school suspension until parent meeting scheduled and attendance contract implemented.

* N.B. Serious attendance issues may result in student withdrawal or student being dropped from our roster.

TARDY TO SCHOOL POLICY

Students are expected to be in their advisory rooms at 7:45 AM. Attendance is taken and announcements are read during advisory period. Students who arrive at school after 8:00 A.M. are considered tardy.

TARDY TO SCHOOL PROCEDURES:
Reporting a Tardy:
1. Students arriving to school after 7:45 A.M. but before 8:00 A.M. should report directly to their advisory room.

2. Students arriving to school after 8:00 A.M. should report directly to the Attendance Office.

If a phone call or e-mail from the parent or guardian reporting the tardy is not received before 2:00 P.M. on the day the student is tardy the tardy is unexcused. The phone call or e-mail must include the time and date of the tardy with a phone number where we can reach the parent for verification if needed.

3. Parents should call or e-mail the attendance office or call the deans' office on the day of the tardy by 2:00 P.M.

The Attendance Office
Tel. 282-3361, ext. 207
E-mail - absent@thornton.saco.org

Or The Deans' Offices:
Freshmen - ext. 274
Sophomores - ext. 263
Juniors -ext. 205
Seniors -ext. 285

* N.B. All unexcused tardies will result in some form of consequence, ranging from community service to a parent conference.

Consequences for an Unexcused Tardy to School (Less than 40 minutes ):

1st Offense - Warning

2nd Offense - Community service issued, parental notification, counselor notification.

3rd Offense - Parent conference with dean.

* N.B. Excessive tardies will lead to a parent conference and will result in disciplinary action.

TARDINESS TO CLASS POLICY

Tardiness to Block I requires an Attendance Office Pass. Except for Block I, the individual teacher involved will handle tardiness to class or study hall.

Consequences for an Unexcused Tardy to Class (Less than 40 minutes late to class):

All Offenses - Handled at the discretion of the classroom teacher. Students who are

Tardy to class without an acceptable reason may be told to report to that teacher's classroom for detention.

*N.B. Students more than 40 minutes late to class will be considered absent from class.

DISMISSAL POLICY

Students must have permission to leave campus for any reason. Leaving school without permission is considered a "Class Cut/Truancy."

A Class Cut/Truancy = 1 unexcused absence.

Reporting a Dismissal:

Parents should call or e-mail the attendance office or call the deans' office ahead of the anticipated dismissal.

The Attendance Office
Tel. 282-3361, ext. 207
E-mail - absent@thornton.saco.org

Or The Deans' Offices:
Freshmen - ext. 274
Sophomores - ext. 263
Juniors -ext. 205
Seniors -ext. 285

Consequences for a Class Cut:
1st Offense: Community service issued, parental notification, counselor notification.

2nd Offense: Out of school suspension until parent conference date set.

* N.B. More than three unexcused absences may result in loss of credit and requires an attendance hearing with the parent/guardian.

DEFINITIONS
T.A. COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Community service is an opportunity for students to connect with staff and reconsider and amend their behavior. Students will work with teachers or staff doing various tasks, i.e. filing, cleaning, light maintenance chores or completing academic work.

* Community Service can be arranged before or after school.

* Community Service sessions should be completed as soon as possible.

* A student who does not follow through with the community service is given an out of school suspension until an appointment for a parent conference is arranged.

* The only valid excuse for not serving the community service at the scheduled time is a dismissal by a parent.

* Copies of letters sent to the parents will be distributed to the appropriate counselor.

IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION:
In-school suspension is a supervised quiet study for a single block. Students must accept the responsibility of bringing study materials with them, arrive promptly, and obey all rules. Those who are uncooperative or disruptive will face further disciplinary action.

OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION:
Out-of-school suspension is regarded as a more severe form of punishment, and is used to convey a message to the students and their parents that the school will not accept or tolerate the type of behavior that prompted the suspension. Its effectiveness depends on the concern and follow-up by both parents and school officials.

* N.B. Students who receive out-of-school suspension should not be on or near the Thornton Academy campus.