ATTENDANCE DEPARTMENT

Jennifer Carreiro
Supervisor of Attendance
Phone: (508) 998-3321 ext. 341 or 734
E-mail: jennifer.carreiro@gnbvt.edu

New Attendance Policies

GNB Voc-Tech has an excellent attendance rate and believes that attendance is the key component in students’ reaching academic and vocational success. Poor attendance is the leading cause of failing grades and difficulty reaching graduation goals. (Please refer to the Student Handbook pgs. 42-45 for more detailed information regarding attendance policy/protocols.)

Students are expected to be present– on time– every day that school is in session. School starts at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Students with more than three (3) unexcused absences in a trimester will be considered in violation of the School’s Attendance Policy. These students will be sent a violation letter to notify a parent/legal guardian and will not be allowed to participate in school-sponsored activities or extracurricular activities including sports, drama, clubs, social events etc. until valid documentation is turned into the Attendance Department or said students make up the days missed (1 unexcused absence equals 3 hours after-school). All unexcused absences and time owed must be served within the trimester.

EXCUSED ABSENCE PROCEDURE:

1. Documentation to the Attendance Office must be submitted within 24 hours of the student’s return to school. Altered or edited documents will not be accepted. A note from a parent/guardian is not an acceptable form of medical documentation.
2. The Supervisor of Attendance will review the documentation provided.
3. If the decision is favorable, the excuse will be entered in the student’s attendance record.
4. Teachers will make necessary grade changes by viewing a student’s attendance.

**Please refer to the Student Handbook pg. 43 for detailed information regarding excuse/unexcused absences.

Reporting A Student Absent

If a student must be absent, a parent or guardian must call the school (508-998-3321 ext. 734) by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the absence, stating the student’s name, ID#, DOB, and reason for the absence. This number may be called 24 hours per day. Failure to notify the school may result in the student being considered truant. Truancy is being absent without permission and will result in disciplinary action.

Tardiness

Being on time demonstrates a sign of respect, responsibility, and maturity. Being late disrupts other students and teachers who have begun the school day on time. School starts at 7:30 a.m. sharp, and students must be present in their 1st-period class at 7:40 a.m. to be considered on time.

Three tardy arrivals will count as one absence. Students who are tardy are required to make up the time within 2 days. Students will report to the cafeteria extension at 2:31 p.m. to make up such time under the supervision of the Supervisor of Attendance. All students are required to serve tardy/detention in the cafeteria extension and should bring schoolwork to complete. Failure to make up tardiness within 2 school days without a valid excuse will result in an automatic 2:30-4:00 p.m. detention. Failure to attend the 4 o’clock detention will result in an automatic 1/2 day in the Educational Services Room.

Students who are chronically tardy (6 tardies per trimester) and who have not made up their time will lose school privileges, including all school-sponsored events i.e., participation in sports, Homecoming Dance, Junior Banquet, Senior Prom and all extra-curricular activities.

Dismissals

Students should not be dismissed from school except in the case of an emergency. Routine dentist appointments, doctor appointments, driving lessons, and driver’s license testing should be scheduled for days when school is not in session. Excessive dismissals for routine appointments will be referred to the Supervisor of Attendance for review. The Supervisor of Attendance will contact a parent/guardian to address excessive dismissals and work with you to find a solution. It is essential that your child is in school every day all day, chronic absenteeism and dismissals have a direct impact on your child’s grades and overall success.

Students who miss three (3) periods of school due to an unexcused dismissal will be counted as “Absent” for the day and will be subject to make up the time missed after school.

A full day of school is from 7:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. *Note: A 10:49 a.m. dismissal does not constitute a full day and will result in an unexcused absence.

Medical Dismissals: The school nurse will contact the parent/guardian if it is determined that dismissal due to illness/injury is necessary. Students dismissed from the nurse’s office are not allowed to drive personal vehicles.

Planned, Unplanned or Emergency Dismissals: Only a parent/guardian/ or a person on the emergency contact list may go to the Welcome Center to dismiss a student. The Welcome Center staff will require the parent/guardian/emergency contact person to present a photo I.D. If you are unable to provide the necessary required Identification the student will not be dismissed.

There will be no telephone dismissals barring an emergency situation, in which case the parent/legal guardian will speak directly to the Supervisor of Attendance. If the Supervisor of Attendance is not available, the parent/guardian will need to speak with the Supervisor of Attendance Assistant in the Attendance Office.

All students being dismissed who are self-drivers are required to drop off a written note in the morning before school to the Attendance Office. The note must state the date, the student ID # and the time the student is being dismissed, it must be signed by a parent/legal guardian and have a valid working telephone number where the parent/guardian can be reached to verify such dismissal.

All other students who are being picked up by a parent or guardian listed on their 10A form (Emergency Contact) are not required to send in a note, but they must come into the building and sign the student out at the Welcome Center.

Go Bears!!!