North Star Academy firmly believes that consistent attendance teaches students responsibility. Students learn the value of being punctual and prepared. Frequent absences result in a loss of continuity of instruction. Also, frequent absences and tardiness prove disruptive for students, teachers, and staff. Excessive unexcused absences may lead to a student’s permanent dismissal from the school.
Parents are expected to take a proactive role in ensuring their children attend school. We recommend families plan their vacation schedule around the existing school calendar which is included in the student handbook. Health appointments should take place outside of school hours and, when possible, parents should notify the school in advance of any absence. Parents and students are responsible for obtaining homework or assignments for the time period which the student is absent.
Attendance Requirements
Students are allowed a maximum of 10 unexcused absences per year.
Excused Absences
Oral or written communication from the student’s parents/guardian must be received within one business day of the absence in order for the absence to be excused. In the event of multiple consecutive absences, written communication must be received within 1 business day of the student’s return to school. In the event a student has 10 (ten) consecutive unexcused absences, the student will be automatically dismissed from the school in accordance with State Law. In the event of an unforeseeable illness or emergency, the school should be contacted as soon as realistically possible.
Make-up Work
Make-up work is permitted for students who have ‘excused’ absences. The classroom teacher will provide the student or the parent/guardian with any make-up work upon request. Make-up work must be completed within a reasonable time-frame as determined by the teacher.
Tardiness
A student is tardy if he or she is not in the assigned classroom when the late bell rings. In general, tardiness will be handled on an individual basis with the teacher. If a student is chronically tardy then the student may be referred to the administration. Elementary students are allowed 5 tardies per quarter. Middle school students are allowed 3 tardies per class each quarter.
Notification of Absences and Tardies
In the event a student is absent, parents/guardians will be notified by phone on the day of the absence. Parents and students are responsible for tracking the total number of absences and tardies. Parents will be notified when their student reaches the 5th absence of the year and again on the 9th absence of the year. Parents of elementary students will be notified when their child is tardy for the 4th time during a given quarter. Parents of Middle School students will be notified if their child is tardy for the 2nd time in a class for the given quarter. If the maximum limit for attendance or tardiness is reached, the school administrator will attempt to schedule a meeting with the parents to review the situation and will outline the appropriate corrective action.
Grounds for an Appeal
Students who feel they have valid reasons that all, or part, of their absences and /or tardies are a result of extraordinary circumstances may provide a written request to the administrator to review their case.