For attendance concerns, call Carolyn Hughes at 469-752-7604
	Table of Contents:
	•	Attendance Procedures
	•	Absences
			Excused
			Unexcused
	•	Checking In
	•	Checking Out
	•	Tardiness
	•	Truancy
Attendance Procedures:  (Back to Top)
The school day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:15 p.m. Students are permitted to enter the locker and classroom areas at 8:50 and should plan to arrive about that time. Supervision is provided in the cafetorium for bus students beginning at 8:00. Students arriving before 8:50 should report to the cafetorium using the south entrance doors only.
If you arrive early and need to report to a classroom, you must have a pass signed by the instructor you intend to see. A note from a parent may be used to see a teacher from 8:15-8:55. Students should plan to leave the campus between 4:15 and 4:25. Plano I.S.D. operates under a closed campus policy in grades K-10. Once a student comes on the campus he/she must remain at school until the dismissal bell.
Absences: If a student is absent from school, the parent/guardian should call the school before 9:15 a.m. to report the absence. The phone number is 469-752-7600. Upon returning to school following an absence, a student should report to the attendance office. The attendance office is open at 8:30 a.m. for your convenience. A student should bring a note from the parent/guardian giving the student's name, ID number, date of absence, brief explanation of absence, and a phone number where the parent may be reached. A student, not in attendance, will be classified under one of the two categories listed:
•	Excused -- Any student may be excused for temporary absences resulting from personal illness, sickness or death in family, quarantine, or weather or road conditions making travel dangerous as determined by P.I.S.D. administration. Extenuating circumstances must be cleared by the principal.
•	Unexcused -- The following are examples of unexcused absences: vacations, trips, baby-sitting, working (including modeling), non-school sponsored athletic events and programs, and truancy.
If a student fails to submit a note, the absence will be considered unexcused and the student will be allowed three (3) days to submit a note excusing the absence. It is extremely important that this matter be taken care of promptly in regards to the 90% attendance policy.
A request to excuse an absence due to unusual circumstances must be submitted in writing to the building principal at least five school days before the absence occurs. The request should include dates of absence, reason for absence, and school siblings for whom the request is made.
The student generally has two days for each day missed to make up homework. If a student is absent the day of the test only, he should be prepared to make-up the test the day he returns to school. Long term assignments do not fall under this general guideline. All work must be made up; work not made up receives a zero. Students may receive full credit for made up work.
Unexcused absences, not requested in advance, may result in a zero grade for all missed work. State law mandates that a student shall not be given credit for a class if he/she has been in attendance fewer than 90% of the days per semester unless an attendance committee, appointed by the principal, gives credit because there were extenuating circumstances for the absences. Guidelines have been established which determine what constitutes extenuating circumstances and alternative ways for students with unexcused absences to make up work or regain credit.
A student's observance of religious holy days does not count against the 90% attendance rule. Verification of student enrollment and 90% attendance is required for Driver's Education registration and obtaining a driver's license. The request form is available in the registrar's office. The verification will be available for pick up the following day at the registrar's office. The form is in effect for 30 days (except during the summer months - 90 days). (Back to Top)
Checking In: Students arriving after 9:00 A.M. should present a note to the attendance office from a parent/guardian stating the reason for tardiness including a phone number for verification. Exception: Students with unexcused tardies before 9:10 A.M. should report directly to their first period classes.
Checking Out: Any student needing to leave campus once he/she has arrived at school, for any reason, should check out through the attendance office. Contact with the parent or person on the emergency card is required before a student is released and may be obtained in one of these two ways:
1.	The parent may come into the attendance office and personally sign the student out.
2.	The student may bring a note to the attendance office before 9:00 A.M. from the parent requesting that the student check out at a designated time and giving a phone number where the parent can be reached. In emergency situations, such as illness, the parent or person on the emergency card will be contacted by phone and the student will be allowed to check out.
When it is determined that a student was absent from class, a call will be placed to the student's home via a phone system. The parents will receive a computerized voice message stating that the student was absent for two or more class periods, and the date of the absence(s) will be given. The parents must respond in writing for the absence to be excused. (Back to Top)
Tardiness: Students are expected to be on time to classes in order to avoid disrupting the learning environment. Tardiness to class results in the following consequences each six weeks period:
	1st Tardy - Teacher warning to student.
	2nd Tardy -Teacher warning to student.
	3rd Tardy - Teacher assigned detention. (Parent notified by phone or e-mail). *Three tardies are equal to one unexcused absence.
	4th Tardy - Saturday school and parent notification.
	5th Tardy - Referral to Administrative Intern for Saturday school and parent/student conference to review state truancy laws.
A continued negative cycle of tardies can result in truancy charges being filed and potential judicial proceedings as tardies count as partial day absences. Consequently, the Administrative Intern's office monitors overall tardies. Failure to attend Saturday school for tardies or attendance makeup can result in truancy charges being filed. (Back to Top)
Incentive Program: Punctual attendance results in a safer, more secure, and more orderly school environment. Students that are on time to class experience greater levels of achievement and teachers experience more teachable moments. Shepton High School will reward students that are on time to class. Every three weeks all students without a tardy will be eligible for a drawing to celebrate their punctuality.
Truancy: Being absent without permission is a violation of the State School Law. If a student is truant or absent/tardy excessively, he/she is subject to school discipline and/or a hearing before the court which the parents or legal guardian will be required to attend.
*TRUANCY VIOLATION CONSEQUENCES:
	1st Violation - Saturday School, truancy warning, parent notified
	2nd Violation - Campus Assessment Team Meeting, Saturday School, truancy can be filed with the district truancy officer
	3rd Violation - Alternative education placement, truancy court
*Truancy will affect 90% attendance guidelines which may result in loss of credit due to excessive absences.
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