ATTENDANCE POLICIES & PROCEDURE

ATTENDANCE REPORTING

(See Board Policy 3121) Parents/Guardians are required to call the school’s ATTENDANCE OFFICE, 208-854-6235, to excuse each period of a student’s absences and repeat this call each day the student will not be in attendance. An answering machine is available 24 hours a day.  Emails will also be accepted at Timberlineattendance@boiseschools.org and written notes will be accepted to excuse absences with prior arrangements being made by the parents or guardians with the Attendance Office. District policy requires that an absence be excused within 48 hours or a truancy will be issued. 

TYPES OF ABSENCES

• Excused Absences (EA) is an absence from school with the knowledge and approval of the student’s parent(s)/guardians(s). Oral communication from the parent(s)/guardian(s) is required within 48 hours of the absence. All class work, homework, and exams can be made up within the parameters of Boise School District Policy. Final exams are not to be given early. (Exemptions must be approved by the principal or his/her designee.) Activity, prearranged and prearranged contract absences are also considered excused absences. These are described below.

• Pre-Arranged Absence is a process of making prior arrangements for assignments, homework, exams, etc. when the students know that he/she will be absent from one or more classes for three (3) or more consecutive school days. This includes Activity Absences. Students are encouraged to complete assignments prior to the extended absence. Work not completed prior to the absence must be made up within the guidelines for make-up work. Applications for prearranged absences, including those for college visitation, are available in the Attendance Office.  
• Activity Absence (AA) is an absence for school-sponsored programs in which classes will be missed. In order to participate in extracurricular activities, a student must be in attendance for at least four (4) class periods the day of the event.

• Extraordinary Absence (EX) is granted for an absence that is for compelling circumstances (observed religious holiday, death in the student’s family, extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by an administrator, etc.
• Medical Absence (MD) is a written absence for a visit with a licensed medical provider. An appropriately licensed medical professional must verify ALL student illness absences, regardless of the absence length.
• Court Absence (CT) is an absence for a mandated court visit. Documentation must be provided.
• Truancy (TR) is an absence without the consent of the student’s parent(s)/guardians(s) or school officials. This includes absences from school or class after arrival at school and departure from school during the school day without permission of school officials. Any absences, for one or more class periods, without an oral excuse from the parent(s)/guardians(s) within 48 hours may be  considered a truancy.

--Out of school suspension counts against a student's 9 allotted absences per semester.

--When a student transfers from one school to another within the Boise School District, the student’s attendance and disciplinary records will transfer to the new school. Absences and truancies accumulated in one school will be recorded and counted at the new school.

TARDIES

When entering the building more than 10 minutes late, it is mandatory that students check in at the main office. A student who is twenty or more minutes late to class will be considered absent.  All students are expected to be in class on time.  A student who intentionally loiters in the hallway or on campus will be considered truant.  Students who intentionally miss class to avoid being tardy will be considered truant.

• Fourth Tardy - The student and parent will be notified (student signature required).
• Fifth Tardy - The student & parent will be notified and will conference with an administrator (student signature required).
• Sixth Tardy - The student will be assigned to Saturday School or other detentions, and the parent notified.  Failure to attend Saturday School will result in further disciplinary action. Should a 7th tardy occur in the same class, the student may lose credit or be placed on an attendance contract (student signature required).

TRUANCY

If a student misses a single class without an excuse, he/she will be considered truant.  Absences not cleared with the attendance office within 48 hours of the date will be considered truancy. Remember, all truancies are cumulative, grades nine through twelve.  

• First Truancy – A notice of truancy form will be filed and sent home to parent/guardian.  Students may be assigned In-House Detention and/or Saturday School.
• Second Truancy - The student may be placed in In-House Detention for two days as well as possible attendance in Saturday School.
• Third Truancy - The student will be placed on contract.
• Fourth Truancy - As a result of this offense, the student will have additional discipline consequences.
• Off- Campus – Students who fail to have transportation to an off-campus class will be issued a truancy on the third missed class and each one missed thereafter.
• Appeal for Credit - Loss of credit for less than 90% attendance.  Parents and students need to follow guidelines in section II of District Policy and Procedures in this agenda.

PERMIT TO LEAVE SCHOOL

Students are required to obtain a PTL from the Attendance Office prior to the time they leave school.  Students must check in with the Attendance Office upon return.

NOTE:  Any student who needs to leave after arriving at school must first check out with either the Attendance Office or the nurse's office.  Failure to do so will result in truancy.

RELEASE PERIOD:  Students who have a release period are required to be off campus unless arrangements have been made with an Assistant Principal. Students that are granted permission to stay on campus during an open period are required to report to the library unless prior arrangements are made.

SEMESTER TESTS

Students will not be allowed to take semester tests early.