Attendance
Attendance: It is important that students make every effort to attend school. Activities, discussions, simulations, and presentations occur daily and cannot always be duplicated even through after-school instruction or make-up work.
Parents/Guardians are responsible for notifying the school of excused absences. Excused absences may include: illness, medical appointment, bereavement, court appearance, emergency, pre-approved educational leave, and a unique family/religious event.
Attendance Philosophy and Policy:
School success starts with attendance. Our students need to be in school to afford them the greatest likelihood of academic and social success. As part of a team effort to help our students build connections, develop healthy habits and behaviors, and increase their motivation to be in school, South Hills Middle School implements the Attendance Policy outlined below:
Attendance Responsibilities
The role of the school administration includes:
● Identify students with attendance issues and work cooperatively with parents and students to improve attendance.
● Make an earnest and persistent effort to improve student attendance.
● Notify parents of excessive absenteeism by phone message, email, or letter.
The role of the attendance office includes:
● Keep the school administration and parents informed of attendance issues.
● Review daily attendance and resolve discrepancies.
The role of the teacher includes:
● Keep an accurate roll of all absences and tardies.
● Emphasize the importance of punctuality by beginning class promptly with meaningful instruction.
● Discuss attendance issues with students as they arise and inform the school administration if attendance does not improve.
The role of the student includes:
● Gain the most of their educational experience by regularly attending and being on time for all classes.
● Present in assigned or designated areas at all times.
● Follow proper check-in/check-out procedures.
● Obtain make-up assignments from the teacher due to an absence.
The role of the parent includes:
● Support student learning by expecting regular school attendance.
● Excuse verified absences in a timely manner via Skyward or the attendance office.
● Be mindful of the school calendar as you plan verified absences.
South Hills check-in / check-out procedures can be found by clicking on the following links:
- Family Access Absence Instructions
- Mobile Tutorial
- Desktop Tutorial
- Family Access Check In_Out Instructions (Spanish)
Closed Campus:
South Hills Middle School is a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave campus without following proper checkout procedures through the attendance office.
Home and Hospital:
When a doctor orders a student to be out of school for over ten school days, a parent or guardian must contact the counseling center to arrange Home and Hospital instruction. The doctor's note must be provided to the counseling center before Home and Hospital instruction can begin.
Sick Room
A student who becomes ill during the school day will report to the attendance office with a note from their teacher. When a student arrives, they may be admitted to the sick room. Once in the sick room, the following protocol will be followed:
● Students are assessed by a trained staff member
● After 15 minutes, students will go to class or be encouraged to call home, if necessary
● If a student is too ill to remain at school, parents/guardians will be contacted
In case of an emergency, the paramedics and the student’s parents will be notified
Tardy/Way Late:
Tardy
Tardy marks in any class will negatively impact a student’s Citizenship Grade for that class, which may impact the student’s eligibility to attend field trips, dances and assemblies.
● Students must be in their assigned seats when the tardy bell rings.
● Students who are not in their assigned seat when the tardy bell rings will be marked ‘Tardy’ (T).
● With every fifteen (15) tardies, students must attend a study session on Thursdays from 3:10 pm to 3:50 pm.
● Failure to attend a study session may result in being assigned the Tiger Intervention Room (ISS) or out-of-school suspension.
Way Late
Way Late marks in any class will negatively impact a student’s Citizenship Grade for that class, which may impact the student’s eligibility to attend field trips, dances and assemblies.
● Students who arrive to class more than 10 minutes after the bell will be marked with a ‘Way Late’ (W) on their attendance record.
● With every ten (10) Way Late marks, students must attend a study session.
● Failure to attend a study session may result in being assigned the Tiger Intervention Room (ISS) or out-of-school suspension.
● Way Late marks in any single class will negatively impact the Citizenship Grade for that class.
Truancy:
Truancy marks in any class will negatively impact a student’s Citizenship Grade for that class, which may impact the student’s eligibility to attend field trips, dances and assemblies.
● Students who leave campus during class or intentionally miss more than 20 minutes of a class will be marked ‘Truant’ (Z).
● Please note that parents cannot excuse students for leaving campus without the proper check-out procedures.
● For every three (3) truancy marks, students must attend a study session.
● Failure to attend a study session will result in being assigned to the Tiger Intervention room (ISS) or an out-of-school suspension.
Study Session:
Students with poor attendance marks as outlined above must attend a study session.
Study sessions will be held:
● Thursdays from 3:10 pm to 3:50 pm
Study Session Expectations
● Cell phones must be turned in
● Students will not talk or socialize
● Students must remain seated
● Use of chromebooks must be related to academic use only (no gaming)
Students who choose not to comply with the expectations will be dismissed from the study
session and assigned to the Tiger Intervention Room (ISS) or an out-of-school suspension.
Tiger Intervention Room:
As part of our school mission to support students in becoming lifelong learners and responsible citizens, South Hills Middle School has created the Tiger Intervention Room (ISS). When students choose to engage in inappropriate behavior (e.g. accruing tardies, skipping class, or other misconduct), they may be assigned by an administrator to spend time in the Tiger
Intervention Room.
Tiger Intervention Room Expectations:
● Turn in personal electronic devices (cell phones, earbuds, etc.)
● Stay awake
● Follow the directions of the Tiger Intervention Room aide
● Complete missing or new schoolwork
● Stay in the room for lunch and passing periods
Fridays will be a self-select day for students to choose to complete work as desired and must be scheduled by an administrator or counselor.
Withdrawal From School:
When students move outside the school boundaries, they need to withdraw from South Hills.
This process includes completing the following:
● Withdrawal Form from the attendance office
● Returning chromebook and any school books (textbooks, media center, etc.)
● Cleaning out lockers
● Paying fines/fees
Failure to complete these steps may result in delay or denial of credit.