GRACE HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY **UPDATED SEPT. 2025**
SEE GHS STUDENT HANDBOOK (pgs. 3-4)
Student attendance at school is the responsibility of the parent/guardians and students.
Students are required to be in school at least 90% of the time. This requirement is in effect pursuant to Policy 522 (School Attendance and Habitual Truancy) and Idaho Code 33-202 & 33-206. Students can only accrue up to eight (8) absences before further action. Regular attendance is essential for academic success, so we encourage students and families to prioritize being present in class each day.
ALL MEDICAL ABSENCES WILL BE CONSIDERED AN EXCUSED ABSENCE WITH A DOCTOR'S NOTE, AND WILL NOT COUNT AGAINST THE EIGHT (8) ALLOWED ABSENCES PER CLASS PER SEMESTER.
ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE: Students who have a serious illness or accident for an extended period of time, certified by a medical doctor, and those students who have more than eight absences, may be able to receive credit by petitioning an attendance committee, consisting of the high school principal, high school counselor, and faculty member representative(s).
Decisions of the attendance committee are subject to approval by the superintendent and/or school board. Only students who can verify all of their absences may petition for credit. An attendance/behavior plan with student and parent input will be a requirement for approval by the attendance committee.
TARDIES
A student is tardy if he or she is not in the assigned classroom, or seat (teacher discretion) when the bell rings. Students who accumulate three (3) tardies in the same class must make up the time. Students in grades 7-12 who are more than twenty (20) minutes late will be counted as absent and the absence will be considered unexcused, unless excused by a parent. This will count against the maximum amount allowed.
Tardies or absences due to inclement weather, extenuating circumstances, or a late district bus will not be counted on the student’s record.
Students will have TWO (2) SCHOOL DAYS to provide evidence (written excuse, doctor’s note, or parent phone call) to the high school office that any absence or tardy was excused. After two days, absences and tardies will be considered unexcused. Note: (Doctor’s or dentist’s statements of student illness must be verified at the time of the illness – not at the end of the semester). Weekly attendance checks will be made to identify students who have exceeded the acceptable number of absences/tardies. Every effort will be made by school personnel to keep the parents/guardian informed of student absences.
When attending after school credit recovery, one hour equals the removal of one (1) absence. A student can make arrangements to remove only (1) absence or tardy on any given day before/after school, unless prior permission was obtained from the principal.
Students must make arrangements through the office PRIOR to making up an absence or tardy.
It is the educational philosophy of Grace High School that students need to be in class in order to learn and that missing too many days in any one class impairs a student’s ability to learn. If students do not make up the seat time, they may need to retake the class in order to meet graduation requirements.
Seniors attending college orientation may be excused for a maximum of one day during the year if they have written notification of attendance from the college. Students are encouraged to use Fridays for attending college orientations, if not sponsored by the school (field trip).
Students will not be school excused for working in the potatoes beyond the eight scheduled potato harvest days. Notes from employers will not be accepted. A student may be excused by their parent/guardian, but absences will apply.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES & TRUANCIES:
Parents may excuse their students from being absent from school. Any absence without parental permission is considered unexcused. Any student who leaves without permission after reporting to school is considered truant.
Consequences for Truancies:
- 1st Truancy - Parents will be notified in writing.
- 2nd Truancy - Parents and student meet with school administration and/or suspension..
- 3rd Truancy - Parents notified and student will be suspended for a 1-3 day home suspension.
- 4th Truancy - Parents and student meet with the Superintendent. May face expulsion from the district.
CHECKING OUT OR CHECKING IN
Any time a student leaves school, they must check out through the office. Parent or guardian approval is necessary. This can be accomplished by:
- a note (email or text),
- a phone call, or
- a parent coming to school to check out the student.
Any student who fails to check out at the office prior to missing a class will be considered unexcused or truant. Any excused, unexcused, or truancy absence will be counted toward the limit of 8 per semester. Only medically excused absences with a doctor’s note will not count.
Any time a student returns after being absent for part of a day, they must check in at the high school office prior to returning to class.
Seniors attending college orientation may be excused for a maximum of one day during the year if they have written notification of attendance from the college. With the high school on a four-day week schedule, students are encouraged to use Fridays for attending college orientations.
Students will not be school excused for working in the potatoes beyond the eight scheduled potato harvest days. Notes from employers will not be accepted. You may be excused by your parents, but absences will apply.