Attendance Policy

St. Joseph High School Attendance Policy

Every student has the right to the educational opportunities that will enable the student to develop his or her fullest potential.  To maximize these opportunities, it is the responsibility of the student to be in attendance daily. St. Joseph High School is committed to the philosophy that every student should attend every class every day/all day.  Regular attendance and promptness are expected in all classes and are essential for student success in school. Section 31 of the Alberta Education Act states:

31 A student, as a partner in education, has the responsibility to:

(a) attend school regularly and punctually, 

(b) be ready to learn and actively engage in and diligently pursue the student’s education, 

The responsibility for regular attendance lies with the student and the parent.  Students must also accept the consequences of their actions should they choose not to fulfill this responsibility. Students have an obligation to contribute to, as well as benefit from, the learning experience. Irregular attendance curtails a student’s ability to contribute and often hinders the progress of the class.

For families that are planning to take an extended vacation, parents are encouraged to connect with school administration to arrange schooling options while they are away.

The following definitions are important in the interpretation of this policy:

Excused Absence - home and school agree that absences are acceptable, thus excusable.  Examples may include: personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads due to inclement weather, religious observance, quarantine, required

court appearances, attendance at health clinics, approved college visits, pre-approved family vacation, approved cooperative work programs, field trips, suspensions

Unexcused Absence - home may regard this excuse as excusable but the school feels the absence is not valid or excusable. Questionable absences should be checked with the school in advance.

Attendance Consequences

1. Students are expected to not exceed a 10% Unexcused attendance rate.  If 10% is exceeded:
1. Students may not be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities
2. Students in grade 12 may not be permitted to participate in graduation activities including year-end graduation commencement ceremony and banquet
2. If Excused absences exceed 30%, then a student may be withdrawn from a class. A meeting with the school counsellor, parents and administration will take place to discuss schooling options.
3. Students may be placed on an attendance contract outlining expectations for attendance.
4. A parent/student meeting may be booked to address attendance concerns.
5. Students may be withdrawn from a course for not meeting the requirements for success that may include the lack of attendance. In accordance with Section 10(2) of the Education Act, a board shall direct a resident student to enroll and attend a particular school operated by the board. This means that the school administration has the right to enroll any student as a fulltime Inreach/Outreach student. If a student is directed to become a fulltime Inreach/Outreach student, they may not return to regular classes at St. Joseph High School until they demonstrate a commitment to their education by earning a minimum of 15 Credits in that program. 

Parents are asked to phone the school to report excused absences (403-341-4423) An absence not called in by parents within 48 hours will be considered unexcused. An electronic phone system will call the home of each student inexcusably absent from one or more classes.

Teachers will encourage students to be in school every day. The faculty and administration maintain accurate attendance records and will provide this information to our students and their parents or guardians. If an attendance problem develops, the school counselors and administrators are to make every effort to help the student reach a solution and maintain an acceptable standing at St. Joseph High School.