Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences

Attendance Policy

Attendance

All studies show academic achievement is tied directly to attendance. The better a student’s attendance habits the better the student’s academic progress. All students are expected to be punctual and attend every class. In the event of illness or emergency the parent of the student must call the school's attendance office at 535-2518 before 8:00 AM on the day of the absence. Upon returning to school the student must bring a note to verify the absence. The note should include dates of absence and reason for absence. The note should also include contact information (home, cell, and work numbers) where notes can be verified if need be. Notes are kept on file for the entire school year to verify excused absences. Failure to call and supply a note upon return to school will result in an unexcused absence that can lead to legal action from the CPS. Students with excused absences are afforded an opportunity to make up class assignments; unexcused absences do not afford the same privilege. Absences that exceed 3 days should be explained by a doctor’s note.

Tardiness

Tardiness is disruptive to the entire educational process. Students who are tardy to First period must stop at the attendance office immediately upon arriving to school to get a tardy slip. Students with the tardy pass have four minutes to go to their lockers and get to their class. Students who remain in the hall more than four minutes after arriving to school will be given an hour detention. Students will be given an hour detention for every 2 tardies they receive to school. Once in school tardies to class will be dealt with on an individual basis by the classroom teacher. Penalties may be detentions assigned at the teacher’s discretion and/or other class remuneration. Any students lingering in the halls after the tardy bell will receive a detention. It is the student’s responsibility to get a pass from a teacher before leaving the classroom. Detentions are assigned on a weekly basis and can be served on any Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday after school in Room 214.

Repeated Violation: Students who do not serve rescheduled detentions will be suspended for one day. This is defined under Group 2–Inappropriate Behaviors, 2-5: Failure to abide by school rules.

Early Dismissals

In order for a student to obtain an early dismissal, the parent/guardian must report to the Main Office to sign the student’s Early Dismissal Sheet. Guardianship must be verified before a child is released to an adult.

Truancy

Students whom are absent from school or class without a legitimate reason are considered truant. When a student acquires 5 unexcused absences a letter notifying the parent of the situation will be mailed home. Ten unexcused absences will generate a second letter mailed home. After 18 unexcused absences a letter will be sent home and the case will be passed along for adjudication by the Chicago Board of Education. The Department of Chronic Truant Adjudication may refer the matter to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney for prosecution under the provision of section 3-33 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, 705 ILCS 405/3-33 and section 5/26-10 of the Illinois School Code.