The success of the education program provided by the school hinges on regular attendance by the students. The school establishes a program of attendance monitoring so as to ensure that students attend all the portions of their school days that they can--academic classes, homeroom sessions, and other required, during-the-school-day events.
Parents should be very selective about absences related to non-Mitty athletic participation, especially club sports, as these and other discretionary absences are factored into the total number of allowable absences per semester. The parent/guardian and the student assume full responsibility for discretionary absences and for the academic consequences entailed. Students should consult course expectations sheets for specific absence procedures and expectations for each class
1. Student absences of 5 or more in a particular class period in a single semester may result in academic consequences and possible disenrollment if absences continue. Exceptions to the absence rule include attendance at school-sanctioned activities such as athletic contests, campus ministry retreats, school assemblies, performing arts events.
2. When a student reaches 4 absences in a class period in a single semester, the Dean’s Office will notify both the student and parents. When a student reaches 5 absences in a course the student may not be permitted to makeup any work missed or due that day including tests, labs, projects, or essays unless approved by the Dean of Students.
3. Students should not take discretionary absences during classes the first week or the last two weeks of each semester inclusive of final exams. Discretionary absences are defined as absence from school for family trips, reunions, college visits, club sports, and the like. The Dean should be notified of these absences at least two weeks prior to the absence via email or by having the student bring in a note signed by a parent/guardian. Students out of school during these weeks may yeild academic consequences. Students with a repeated pattern of missing classes during test/project days may yield additional consequences.
4. Final exams are not administered prior to or after the designated exam period.
5. Students must immediately communicate their return to school with their teachers in an effort to schedule missed assessments and make-up work. Makeup assessments scheduled between student and teacher are subject to a grade of zero if the student fails to adhere to the process of the established makeup.
1. Whenever a student is absent, even for one class, the parent/guardian must call the Attendance Office (408-342-4211) between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence to explain the absence. Notes may also be emailed to attendance@mitty.com. Failure to notify the Attendance Office can result in the student being assigned detention. Since many calls are handled by the Attendance Office each day, please be ready to give this essential information:
a. The name of the absent student, student ID#, and the specific explanation for the absence, e.g., illness, injury, legal, etc.
b. Period of time your student will be absent for the day.
c. If absence is because of illness, whether illness is communicable.
Parents should notify the attendance office of absences daily unless requests have been submitted to and approved by the Dean.
2. Teachers may not allow a student to enter class following an absence without an admit slip from the Attendance Office. Therefore, when a student returns to school following an absence and at least 10 minutes before returning to class, the student must first go to the Attendance Office to notify our staff of their return and to verify that their parents have communicated their absence. Once the student is checked back in to school they will be handed an admit slip that is to be given to each of their teachers.
3. Medical, dental, and other appointments should be scheduled at times when classes are not in session. In extraordinary circumstances a student needs to attend a doctor's appointment during class time parents shall contact the Attendance Office in advance. On the day of the appointment, the student must come to the Attendance Office to obtain a Release Slip enabling that student to leave campus. The student will be expected to bring a doctor's note to verify that absence upon their return to school.
If it is determined that a student has been absent in order to avoid a class or to prepare for an assignment, test, or school activity, the student will be liable for detention.
4. In all cases students are expected to contact their instructors prior to any planned absence and in accordance with the course expectations as defined by each teacher.
5. If a student becomes ill during the school day, he or she must report to the Attendance Office, where his/her condition will be evaluated and the parent/guardian notified. A student who is too ill to attend class, has a fever, is vomiting, or has diarrhea, may not remain at school and must remain home until they have been symptom free for 24 hours.
6. Students leaving campus or failing to attend a class must notify the Attendance Office ahead of time or face disciplinary consequences.
7. Students who are tardy to class and whose parents have not contacted the Attendance Office at the time of arrival will be assigned detention. Any tardy in excess of 15 minutes will be considered as an absence and will count toward a student’s attendance threshold. Once a student reaches their 5th tardy in a single class period, whether the tardy is excused or not, they will begin accruing Saturday detentions for every tardy thereafter to any class period.
8. Parents who plan to be out of town for more than one day while school is in session should notify the Attendance Office in writing as to who will be legally responsible for their student during this time. This is very important should an emergency arise and we are not able to contact you immediately.
Students who have a history of excessive absences and/or tardies may be placed on Attendance Monitoring for the following semester or year. The parameters of Attendance Monitoring are specific to each student. This is reviewed on an individual basis by the Dean.
When a student has reached their maximum tardies or absences, as outlined in their Attendance Monitoring Agreement, the student risks losing academic credit, opportunities to attend extracurricular events, or possible disenrollment from AMHS.
Absences because of Campus Ministry events are school-excused absences. Absences because of Christian Service work (with the exception of Immersion Trips and the Freshman Day of Service) are not permitted and will result in a loss of academic credit for the time absent.
Students who have been diagnosed with a concussion and who experience dizziness, balance control (instability), nausea, and/or pain that inhibit them from engaging in the normal functions of a school environment should remain at home until cleared by a physician to return to school. In these instances, parents are required to bring to the Dean of Students a doctor’s note that includes date of diagnosis and physical or cognitive limitations for the student.
Medical conditions that preclude a student from using an iPad or computer, sitting through an entire class period, completing assessments or class activities, using other cognitive skills, and/or extended absences as a result of these limitations are difficult to support in light of the academic rigor of our curriculum. Student workload modification (e.g. reduction in homework/classwork) can be accommodated for a brief window of time (usually two weeks). After that time, students must return to full workload or work with the administration to request a medical leave of absence. The administration will do its best to assist students in these situations; however in some situations, a leave of absence or disenrollment may be the only possible course of action.
Attendance at Graduation and the Baccalaureate Mass is required of all graduates. However, attendance is a privilege revocable by the Administration. A student may be prevented from participating in Graduation or Baccalaureate for inappropriate behavior. Specifically, a senior participating in any form of a “senior prank” is liable for financial compensation for damages and for immediate dismissal or denial of participation in Graduation. Both the Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation are semi-formal events with a specified dress code. Graduates are to wear the academic cap and gown at Graduation. Only the gown is worn at Baccalaureate. No other decoration of any kind is allowed at Graduation with the exception of the C.S.F. stole, the N.H.S. stole and/or the Kairos Cross. Leis and other festive decorations may be worn at the reception after Graduation. All regular norms relating to student grooming and behavior are strictly enforced during Graduation events.
