Revised Attendance Policy

ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR ALL STUDENTS 2005-2006

It is very important that you be in class every day that class meets. So much of your learning depends upon participating in class activities and discussions. These situations simply can not be re-created--if missed, they are missed forever. I often tape class sessions but even listening to recorded sessions is, at best, a poor substitute. Therefore, be in class if at all possible. (Of course, you should not be in class if you have a contagious disease!)

Assignments are almost always given several days in advance. Consequently, you are expected to be prepared every day, even the day after an absence. This may mean you will have to phone me or a friend or make arrangements to have someone bring you a tape or homework. It may also mean you need to come in before school or during study hall to listen to a tape--the point is that it is very important for you to be prepared every day you are in class and that tapes be listened to before class. If you are not prepared the day you return, you may be given a zero.

If we have a paper due on a given day, the paper is still due even if you are absent the day before or the day the paper is due--send your paper to school with someone. (Lesson to be learned--don‚t let things go until the last day!) You will also be expected to take pop quizzes and tests the day you return. Grades will be recorded, but it will be noted in the grade book that you were absent the day before, and I also drop one low quiz grade.

Each time you miss class you will be expected to make up the work missed. (For the most part, make up work will be able to be done on your own time, but if it isn‚t done promptly, it will need to be done under my supervision.)

For an unexcused absence, you will be given a „zero‰ equivalent to a test grade; however, you will still be expected to make up the work missed. If we have a test the day you have an unexcused absence, you will be expected to take the test the next day--the test grade and the zero will both be recorded.

Pre-excused absences will be handled individually and seldom pose a problem if you are prepared the day you come back. If you are not prepared the day you return, you may be given a zero and may need to do make up work before I sign the next pre-excused absence or blue sheet.

REMEMBER, IT IS BEST FOR ALL CONCERNED IF YOU ARE IN CLASS EVERY DAY.