Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY

To receive the maximum benefit from classroom and instructional participation, it is important that a child report to school on time and each day. Parents are urged to

enforce this habit. Illness of pupil, death in the family, and exceptional instances that affect the child are legitimate excuses for absence from school. The State of Illinois by Law provides for compulsory attendance of all children between the ages of seven and sixteen. Daily attendance is necessary for a student to benefit fully

from our school programs.

ABSENCES

For your child’s protection, a parent is requested to call /email the School Office by 8:15a.m. to report a student’s absence at 847-459-6270 / attendance@stmarybg.org. If a child is absent and the parent does not notify the school, the school receptionist will attempt to contact the parent to question the absence. Homework requests are made at the time of the call reporting a student’s absence, and only for those who will be absent for more than one day. Homework may not be picked up until 2:45 p.m. and no later than 3:15 p.m. If a child is absent for five (5) or more days, a doctor’s note should be submitted to the office. All contagious diseases must be reported as soon as diagnosed.

A student who participates in a Saint Mary Athletic sponsored program or extracurricular activity, and who is absent at any reported time during the school day is NOT allowed to participate in the program that day. An exception to participate would be a funeral, a written notification of an appointment provided by a doctor, i.e. dentist, orthodontist, pediatrician on the day of absence. Failure to comply with the above mentioned rule will result in a suspension from the program for one week.

TARDY

Punctuality is very important to the education of a student. Tardiness is a practice, which is disruptive for the student, the class, the teacher, and routines necessary for the functioning of the school. After three tardies per trimester, any additional tardy will result in the student missing recess on that day.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Requests for early dismissal of a student must be submitted in writing by the parents. A child will not be released to anyone other than a parent or guardian unless there is written permission given by a parent. When picking up a sick child, the parent must come to the office. All children leaving early must be signed out in the office before leaving. We ask your cooperation with this so that we may ensure the safety of all of our students. All appointments should be scheduled outside school hours whenever possible. A written notification from the parent must be submitted to the homeroom teacher before the requested day of early dismissal stating the reason for the request. The note should include the child’s name, day and time of dismissal, destination, name of adult coming for the child and signature by the parent. The parent or parent/designated adult is to meet the child in the school office and sign the register. Students are not permitted to leave the building without fulfillment of the above procedure.

VACATIONS

Parents who are planning a vacation which will require a student to be absent from school are asked to discuss the matter with the teacher and principal well in advance of the date of absence. We feel that travel is educational; however, teachers should not be requested to work out a program of study in advance for such an absence, and will not be able to put homework together prior to the vacation. After the student returns, it is his/her responsibility to determine what work has been missed and what back assignments are due. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the work is completed within the time frame determined by the teacher.