Attendance

Arriving to class after the start of the class period (indicated by the school bell) and missing up to ten minutes of class time.

Not being present in class (either all day or a single period). If a student is ten minutes (or more) late to class, leaves class early, or leaves class without permission, this is also an absence.

• The Code of Conduct on page 46 states the definition of “excused absence” according to state law (ARS 15-901) and the Arizona Department of Education. Acceptable reasons are illness, doctor or legal appointment, bereavement, family emergency, family vacation, school-sponsored events, and out-of-school suspension. All others are to be unexcused. Furthermore, absences must be called in by a parent and include one of the above reasons in order to be excused. Fear of illness is not listed as an excusable absence.
   
• State law also contains guidelines related to excessive absences (whether excused or unexcused).
  • For high school, students missing at least 10% of a class (more than 9 days in one semester) are at risk of losing credit for that class, even if the student has a passing grade. In SUSD we have a committee of teachers at each high school that meets each semester to review documentation and attendance patterns, who then make a final decision regarding each student who is on a loss of credit contract.
     
• Students who have 10 consecutive days of unexcused absences at any time will be withdrawn from school.
  • Please speak with the Principal if you need a chronic ill form to continue enrollment.