IF A STUDENT IS ABSENT OR LATE:

Parents/caregivers must report/validate absences for students under 18 years of age using one of the following methods:

  • Send email to lhs-attendance@wrdsb.ca from the parent/caregiver email on file.
  • Call 519-880-9979 and follow prompts (press 1 for attendance). Attendance voicemail is available 24/7.
  • Students may bring a signed/dated note from parent/caregiver (which includes phone and/or other contact info) to the main office upon return to school.

ABSENCES OF 5 DAYS OR MORE:

  • If a student is planning to be away for more than 5 days (such as a trip/vacation), a parent/caregiver and teachers must complete a Temporary Student Withdrawal Form (available from the LHSS Main Office).

IF A STUDENT IS LATE FOR SCHOOL/CLASS:

  • It is a student’s responsibility to arrive on time for each class during the school day.
  • If a student is late, they should go directly to class and sign-in with their teacher.
  • Parents/caregivers may validate the reason for being late using the same options used for absence reporting (previous slide).
  • If a student is repeatedly late for class, the teacher will contact the parent/caregiver and may refer the student to their Vice-Principal.
  • The Vice-Principal will meet with the student to determine appropriate consequences, which may include detentions (following the progressive discipline process).

IF A STUDENT HAS AN APPOINTMENT DURING THE SCHOOL DAY:

  • If a student needs to be signed out during the school day (for appointments, etc.), a parent/caregiver must notify school attendance of the sign-out time prior to the student departing.
  • Students will then sign-out in the main office prior to leaving the school.
  • Students must also sign back in with main office attendance upon return to school, prior to going back to class.

IMPORTANT – Students may not be excused/signed out from a class(es) during the school day to prepare for another class/assessment.  If a student is signed out, they are not permitted on school property and are expected to be under parent/caregiver supervision off-site.

MISSED TESTS/ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES:

MISSED LEARNING DUE TO ABSENCES:

  • If a student is unable to attend school, they are expected to complete all missed learning tasks in a timely manner.
  • Evidence of learning that has not been submitted will be deemed “incomplete” for the purposes of grade reporting. 
  • Failure to complete all required learning tasks (such as tests or assignments) will negatively impact a student’s final grade, and may prevent successful attainment of the credit.

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO:

  • Ensure they (or a parent/guardian) notify teachers ahead of time of a planned absence.
  • Contact teachers regarding missed work upon return to class and complete as required.
  • Submit any missed assessments/assignments immediately upon return to class or at a time deemed appropriate by the classroom teacher (in the case of supervised assessments, such as tests or quizzes).

VALID REASONS FOR MISSING TEST OR ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE:

  • Full day absence from school due to illness – validated by a parent/caregiver (or student if 18+ years old);
  • Parent-approved absence for prearranged reasons, such as specialist appointment, family event, vacation, school sponsored activity, religious holiday or bereavement. In such cases, a student must discuss the missed test/assignment with the teacher prior to the absence.

NOTE – a parent/caregiver (or 18 year old student) may not validate a single period or partial day absence on the day of a test or assignment deadline.

  • If a student falls unexpectedly ill, they must visit the office to be assessed and then contact a parent/caregiver to sign out.
  • They will also communicate to their teacher that a parent/caregiver has signed them out on the day of an assessment. 

If a student misses a test for a reason that administration defines as invalid, they may not be permitted to write the test or complete an alternate assignment. Grades may be affected up to and including the full value of the missed assessment.