Part II Chapter 1:

Student Absences

Absences and tardies are classified as approved and unapproved, based on procedures in the Student/Parent Handbook.  (See appendix)  The following are specific procedures ads they relate to teachers:

Pre-arranged Absences:  Prior to approving requests for pre-arranged absences, teachers will have an opportunity to comment on whether the student can afford such absences and to provide homework and deadlines for the absence.  This information will be taken in consideration before the absence is approved.  In some cases, pre-arranged absences will be approved subject to the parent being informed that course credit may be in jeopardy because of the absence.  Typically pre-arranged absences may not exceed 5 school days.  Forms are available from the student’s Assistant Principal.

Makeup Work:  In general, if a student misses a test or a quiz the day the absence began, the student should expect to take the test or the quiz the day the student returns.  If a student owes a project or report on a day when the student misses the class due to a field trip or other school related absence, the student should arrange to deliver the project to the teacher, even if the student is absent from the particular class.  These policies need to be clearly communicated to the student at the start of the course, preferably in a written course policy handout.

Work needs to be made up in a timely fashion.  Each teacher will specify their makeup policy as part of their grading system.  However, as a general rule, one day of absence affords the student one day to make up work.  Two days of absence affords two days to make up work, and so on. Teachers may give longer deadlines at their discretion.  This does not mean that a student who is out four days can schedule all makeup appointments for the fourth day back.  It means the student has a total of four days in which to schedule all makeup appointments.  Some will need to be done the day of return, some the next day and so on.  If a student has difficulty coordinating all appointments, the student is to see their counselor or an administrator before deadlines are reached, not after.

In cases of extensive medical absences, students may be eligible for homebound instruction.  In other cases, students who have missed over five days in a semester (excused or not) may have some makeup work scheduled for a Saturday during the Saturday Detention time.  This will allow them to stretch out their makeup work and focus after school time on working with teachers on current material, deferring makeup work which does not require direct contact with their teacher.

All students are expected to do makeup work. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero for missing work and may lead to forfeiture of credit for the course in accordance with the provisions under mastery learning. Students who have approved absences will receive full credit for work completed during the deadline set by the teacher.  Work for unapproved absences will not normally receive credit higher than a “D”.

Students should be advised that if they cannot locate the teacher for an appointment to do makeup work, the student should report to the Student Affairs Office.  Office personnel will help to locate the teacher and can document the student’s effort.

Procedures for Obtaining Homework: 

• Office Assistants in the Guidance Office will handle calls and send request forms to teachers (indicating the time of day the call was received on the request form).  Office Assistants will notify the counselor.

• Office Assistants will indicate to parents that homework assignments received by 2:00 p.m. may be ready after 2:30 p.m. the following day, and that requests that arrive after 2:00 p.m. may take an extra day.

• Office Assistants will also request that parents call to see if homework is ready and obtain locker combinations from their student in order to get books.

• Teachers are expected to turn in assignments to the Guidance Office by 2:30 the day following the original parental request.  (An extra day is okay if the request came in after 2:00 p.m.)

• In special circumstances, the teacher may not be able to furnish assignments:

• if the teacher has already provided these to the student

• if the teacher will call the student at home

• if the teacher needs extra time to prepare the assignment

• if the nature of the assignment is not appropriate to do at home (science labs)

In these instances, this information should be communicated to the Guidance Office in lieu of classroom assignments so that the parent will know the status of the assignment.

• In many cases teachers who have websites, may wish to direct students and parents to those sites for information on missed class work and assignments.

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Last Updated on August 06, 2004

Bloomington High School, Bloomington, Illinois  61701