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Attendance & Health Office

Back to Student Handbook — Grades 4-8Student Handbook — Grades 4-8

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Attendance

OCS provides activities and programs in which students gain valuable learning experiences that will prepare their minds for leadership and hearts for service. These experiences are an important extension of the classroom and are designed to support the academic and spiritual goals of the school. These experiences may include but are not limited to spirit assemblies, dress up days, service days, learning summits, chapel, and other fun activities.

Assemblies, Chapel, and First 5

Every day is dedicated to God beginning with our daily First 5 where advisories read God’s Word and pray together. Chapel services are held weekly. Some chapels are held within grade levels, some involve the entire middle school, and occasionally, our middle and high school students will meet together for a special chapel program. Chapel is a special time of worship, including singing, prayer, and inspiration. Other assemblies may be arranged for special speakers, presentations, or informational purposes.

School Trips

A variety of academically oriented fieldtrips take place during the year. Classes attend special exhibits and productions when available. Each grade level attends an overnight retreat during the first quarter of the school year. The 8th Grade attends the East Coast Adventure at the end of the school year. All school planned activities are required as mandatory attendance events. Missed events may result in unexcused absences and assigned makeup work.

All OCS rules, policies, and guidelines apply to all school trips. The 8th Grade attends the East Coast Adventure at the end of the school year. Participation on the ECA is a privilege not a right. Students will be invited to this trip based on their ability to adhere to the expectations in the student handbook as demonstrated throughout the school year.

Absences

The classroom is a center of learning activity. Being absent from a class means that a student will miss the class activity, important instructions, class discussion, and the interpretations given by a teacher. Students are expected to be present at all classes, meetings, chapels, and assemblies at Oaks Christian School. Curriculum-related activities such as fieldtrips and retreats are considered part of the curriculum. OCS reserves the right to review a student’s attendance records with regard to the issuance of academic credit and completion of course work and may withhold credits if the student’s attendance record is deemed to be insufficient. When it becomes necessary for a student to miss school, parents are expected to inform the school through School Pass ahead of time, if possible. Absences must be reported within 48 hours of the absence or it will be deemed unexcused. Parent phone calls do not automatically excuse an absence. The school reserves the right to remove from school any student with excessive unexcused absences. In such cases, the school shall report the student to the county school superintendent of the area in which the student resides in compliance with the compulsory attendance laws. Absences are divided into the following categories:

Excused Absence

  • Student sickness (a doctor’s note may be required, but does not guarantee the absence will be excused)
  • Unforeseen family emergencies such as a death in the family or a court subpoena
  • School-approved fieldtrips/activities
  • Religious observance (with prior communication)
  • Medical appointments (a doctor’s note may be required, but does not guarantee the absence will be excused)
  • For personal reasons that would cause students to miss three or more days of school, please report the absence through School Pass with as much advanced notice as possible. Absences will be excused at school’s discretion.

Students are to turn in all missed assignments no later than the day after returning to school, unless the absence is prolonged, and arrangements have been made with the teacher. Students are responsible to contact their teachers ahead of the absence to make arrangements for missing work and assessments they will miss. A student’s grade may be affected by excessive absences. Quizzes and tests are to be completed within a maximum of one week after returning from the absence.

Unexcused Absence

  • School suspension
  • Transportation issues/car problems/traffic
  • Mix-up with schedule
  • Skipped class, whether intentionally or unintentionally
  • Sleeping in
  • Truancy
  • Personal business, unless previously approved by the administration
  • Travel/vacation

The administration reserves the right to withhold credit for assignments missed due to unexcused absences. Students will be required to make up missed assignments when absent due to suspension on the day of return. If a student accrues more than 8 Unexcused Absences in a semester, they will not receive credit for their courses.

All Day Absences

To report an absence, parents must use School Pass the morning of the absence. The attendance officer will notify parents through AXIS each day of any uncleared absence. Any absence not reported will be considered unexcused. A parent must report absences through School Pass promptly. Absences will be excused at the school’s discretion.

Excessive Absence Policy

Good attendance at school is one important way to maintain student achievement. Students with excessive absences (8 or more in a given class) will be in danger of being dropped from the class and not receiving credit for the semester. Students will need to retake the class at the OCS approved summer program. Eighth graders may not participate in commencement if the class is a graduation requirement. Any appeals will be handled by the school’s administration. When situations arise in which a student is excessively absent for reasons beyond his/her control, the school will make every effort to work with the family to act in the best interest of the student.

Family Vacations

Parents and students are asked to carefully review the school’s vacation schedule and to make travel plans well in advance to avoid missing any school days. When it is necessary for a student to miss school, parents are expected to contact the Dean of Student Life and teachers at least two weeks in advance to make appropriate academic arrangements. It is the recommendation of the school that students do not miss school for personal vacations. However, if it is absolutely necessary for a student to be absent for a personal (family) vacation, at the teacher’s discretion, the student MAY be allowed the opportunity to make up work. All tests, quizzes, and final exams must be taken prior to leaving and should be arranged either through the teacher or the Dean of Student Life. Students who leave to get an early start on vacation may not be allowed to make up missed work and must take quizzes and tests before leaving. Family vacations will not count as excused absences.

Truancy

Truancy is defined as missing class without the knowledge and consent of the parent/guardian and school authorities, for part or all of any school day. The Dean of Student Life reserves the right to determine whether or not a student absence or tardy qualifies as truancy. The Dean of Student Life will also determine consequences and whether or not the student will be permitted to make up missed work or assessments.

Participation in Extracurricular Activities

Students must be present at least half of the school day in order to participate in extracurricular activities including sports contests, sports practices, performances, and other school activities. Any exception must be granted by the Dean of Student Life or Principal.

Tardy Policies

A.M. Tardy (P1 + P4)

A.M. tardies will be considered a separate category than class tardies. A.M. tardies are only recorded for the first period of a given school day.

Students with excessive A.M. tardies will be held accountable per year as follows:

  • Eight (8) tardies – parent notification will be made as to the number of tardies incurred
  • Ten (10) tardies – the student will be assigned a reflection/consequence
  • Fifteen (15) – the student will be assigned an in-school reflection day
  • Twenty (20) tardies or more – will include additional consequences and a planning meeting with parents and administration

The Dean of Student Life will make every effort to work with the family to act in the best interest of the student.

Class Tardy

Students are required to be (1) in their seat, (2) quiet and attentive, and (3) prepared for class when the clock displays the time for the start of class. In order for students to be successful in a class, it is essential that they arrive prior to the start of class and are ready to learn when the teacher begins instruction. Teachers work with students in ensuring that students master this important classroom skill. Parents and students may check their students attendance record to account for their absences. Students are expected to keep track of their tardies.

Students with excessive unexcused class tardies (not including A.M. Tardy) will be held accountable per semester as follows:

  • Three (3) class tardies – parent notification
  • Five (5) class tardies – student will meet with the Dean of Students
  • Ten (10) class tardies – student will serve a reflection/consequence scheduled through the Dean’s office.
  • Fifteen (15) – student will be assigned seating during break/lunch and possibly be assigned an escort to and from class.
  • Twenty (20) – The student and parents will meet with the Principal and the Dean of Students., Additional consequences will be determined by the administration.

Missing Half of Class

If a student misses more than half of a class, the student may be marked “absent unexcused” by their teacher unless the Attendance Office or Dean determines otherwise (see Absence Policy).

Visits to the Health Office

The physical health of our students is important to us. All matters regarding the physical well-being of students should be directed to the Health Office. If the school cannot meet such needs, appropriate direction will be provided. The Health Office can be contacted at (818) 824-9431.

If a student becomes ill during the school day, they should request a pass to the Health Office from their teacher. Students may not text or call home from personal devices when they are feeling ill. They must check in with the nurse, and the nurse will contact home.

  • No student may leave school due to an illness without first being cleared by the Health Office nurse and obtaining a pass from the Attendance Office.
  • In the case of illness no student is permitted to call or text home using their personal device. All students must check into the nurse’s office first. The nurse will contact parents for pickup. Failure to follow this protocol may result in conversation and/or consequence from the Dean of Student Life.
  • All prescription medication must be brought by the parent or legal guardian and checked in to the Health Office. All prescription medication stored in the Health Office must have a Medical Authorization Form signed by their physician included with the medication. Student in violation of this policy are subject to suspension.
  • If a student is absent for more than four days and/or is hospitalized, they must have a doctor’s note to return to school. A parent or the student must provide the doctor’s note to the Attendance Office via email or in person. Students with a fever of 100 degrees or greater will be sent home. Students must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications before returning to school.
  • Completed immunization records must be turned into the Health Office prior to the first day of school.
  • All new students must have a current physical and up to date immunization records turned in to the Health Office prior to the first day of school.