Attendance
STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICIES
North Adams School Corporation has approved an attendance policy that asks and expects parents to report a child’s absence to the school at the earliest possible time, but not later than one hour after the start of school on the next day school is in session following an absence. Failure to report an absence in this timeframe will result in the absence being recorded as unexcused.
If the student is in school the following day without verbal or written verification of the absence, he/she may be considered truant for the previous day(s).
Phone calls should be made each day during an extended illness unless otherwise arranged with the Assistant Principal. After three (3) consecutive days of illness a doctor’s confirmation will be required. Failure to provide documentation will result in recorded absences to unexcused status.
When reporting an absence, medical appointment [doctor/dentist, etc.], or late arrival/early dismissal a 24-hour, 7-day a week automated attendant can be reached by calling 724-7121. After dialing, follow the instructions for leaving a message on the attendance line. Parents may also email the BHS attendance secretary at blackburnj2@nadams.k12.in.us. Verification of the absence is the responsibility of the parents.
CLASSIFICATION OF ATTENDANCE
Verified Absences
A verified absence is an absence that has been reported to the school in a manner that meets the timeframe and stipulations as outlined at the start of the Student Attendance Policies section in the Bellmont High School Student Handbook.
PowerSchool Attendance Codes
|
REASON |
CODE |
|---|---|
|
Tardy [not in class by 1st period tardy bell] |
T |
|
Unexcused Level I or Unexcused Level II |
UNX |
|
Excused [Parent/Guardian verified absence including medical appointments] |
EXC |
|
Truant |
TRU |
|
Unverified [No parent/guardian contact made with school to verify absence] |
A |
Not Counted Toward Five-Day Limited Absence Policy
Absent but Counted as Present | AE |
Alternative to Out-of-School Suspension | RISQ |
Campus Visit | CV |
Field Trip | FT |
Funeral | FNRL |
Intensive Supervised Study | ISS |
Medically Excused [Verified with Certificate of Incapacitation] | MED |
Military Duty | MIL |
Out-of-School Suspension | OSS |
Other | OTH |
Students who have reached five (5) non-exempt absences per class period per semester will have reached the allowed number of absences that BHS students may miss without a penalty. Doctor appointments will count towards the Five (5) Day Limited Absence policy unless a physician has completed a Certificate of Incapacity that verifies the student should not be in school attendance.
Consequences after 5th absence (per semester):
6th Absence After-School Detention
7th Absence Thursday-Night School
8th Absence Thursday-Night School
9th Absence 3-day ISS/Loss of driving privileges for semester
10th Absence RISQ/Conference with administration and parent(s)
For additional information regarding exempt absences, excused absences, unexcused absences, tardies, truancy, habitual absences, extended illnesses, or attendance appeals, please refer to the Attendance Policy section of the Bellmont High School Student Handbook.