​​​​​​Attendance Regulations

It is the responsibility of the parent to see that his/her student arrives on time to school prior to the first period bell. Circumstances such as the MTA bus, car problems, traffic, carpool issues are not the responsibility of St. Bernard High School and are considered to be unexcused tardies. Phone calls will not be accepted to excuse a student from detention for being tardy. The administration has the final say as to whether or not a tardy is excused.

Absence from School

Regular attendance is an important factor in the mastery of school subjects and in academic success. Students are expected to be in class daily and to be on time for class.

If a student is absent from school, the parents must call the school by 8:00 A.M. each day the student is out to report the absence. In order to return to the classroom, a note from the parents or a doctor’s note must accompany the student when he or she returns to school from an absence. Any student who returns to school without the proper note is subject to disciplinary action at the end of the day on which they return to school and remain suspended until the parent/guardian calls the attendance office to verify their absence.

The absence note must contain the following:

1. ​Student’s name
2. Date written
3. Date or dates of absence
4. Reason for absence
5. Parent or guardian signature

When parents are going to be out of town, it is their responsibility to inform the school who will be calling in for absences and who to notify in case of an emergency.

Re-Admit Procedures

Upon return after an absence, the student must report to the Main Office prior to first period with a signed absence note from the parent to be readmitted. Students may be considered Truant and subject to disciplinary action unless the readmit procedure has been properly completed.

Excused Absence

A student will receive an “excused absence” when he/she has been out of school due to illness, and the parents have properly notified the school. According to Archdiocesan and school regulations, only the following are considered excused absences:

1. Illness or medical emergency

2. Quarantine directly by a county or city health officer

3. Legal or court appointment

4. Funeral

In accordance with Archdiocesan regulations, absence from school because help is needed at home or to care for children is not considered a sufficient excuse and will not be honored as an “excused absence”.  Medical, dental, or other appointments, which interfere with class hours, should not be made except in emergencies. Students are not excused from school to take trips with parents, unless there is a justified reason and permission has been secured in advance from the administration.  If permission is granted, it is the student’s responsibility to discuss missed work and assignments in advance with his/her teachers. 

*No student should be absent more than 10 days (excused or unexcused) in any class in any semester.

If a student is absent from school for 10 days or more in one semester:

• ​A teacher reserves the right to lower a student's class grade by 1% point​ for each absence over 10 in the same class. For the purpose of grade calculation and clarification, 3 class tardies may be considered equivalent to 1 unexcused class absence.

         OR

• ​The student may become ineligible for academic credit for that semester. The school reserves the right to deny credit for a class in which a student has been absent more than 10 days during the semester.

Unexcused Absence​

A student will receive an “unexcused” absence when he/she has been out of school and the parent has failed to properly notify the school or when the student has been out of school for any reason other than those stated above, even though he/she has the consent of the parents. The student’s attendance record will reflect that the absence was “unexcused”. Absences are not “excused,” even though a student may be out of school with parental consent, except for illness or prior consent obtained from the proper school authority. Involvement in any other school’s co-curricular activities is not an acceptable excuse for absence, tardiness, or otherwise.

Truancy

Truancy is defined as absence from school/class without permission. Cutting a class or school event during the school day constitutes truancy. When a student is absent, he/she is considered truant if the parent/guardian fails to verify the student’s whereabouts. Students who are truant will not be readmitted to class until a conference is held with the student, parents and an administrator. When a student has been truant, the student will not be allowed to make up missed work.

Tardiness

All tardiness will be considered unexcused.  Excessive tardiness will not be tolerated. Patterns of tardiness will lead to direct consequences implemented by the administration that may include, but not limited to:​

• Tardy TO school:

  • 20 minutes late = tardy to school and absent for 1st period

  • 5/semester = email documentation

  • 7/semester = email documentation and to schedule meeting with Dean / Principal

  • 9/semester = Disciplinary Probation

  • 11/semester = Strict Disciplinary Probation

  • a pattern of tardiness may be address accordingly at any time
    

ALL UNEXCUSED TARDIES ARE INCLUDED from the first class of the day to the last. This does not just apply to morning tardiness.

Make-up Work

When a student has received an “excused absence,” it is the student’s responsibility to make up any missed assignments or tests. Make-up work must be completed within three (3) school days or as arranged with the instructor. When a student receives an “unexcused absence”, the teacher is not required to allow the student to make up the work. When a student is absent for more than one week, or when a lengthy period of absence due to illness or injury is projected, the parent should call the Principal to make arrangements for homework. In the case of lengthy illness, verification by a doctor is required. Students with an unexcused absence on the day of a semester exam will not be allowed to make up the exam. He/she will receive no credit for the exam.

Off-Campus Permits

No student may leave the school premises during the school day without an off-campus permit signed by the school office. When possible, parents should request off-campus permits by telephone the day before the permit is to be issued.

Off-Campus College Visits

Seniors are allowed excused absences for College visits only if pre-approved by the administration. The absence will only be excused upon completion of proper paperwork from the administration.