Tardiness and Absences

1. Tardiness

Any student entering the school after 7:55 AM is tardy and must be signed in at the school office by an adult. Medical excuses signed by a doctor will be considered an excused tardy. Tardiness will be tracked.

After frequent tardies a warning letter will be sent to the parents. After eight or more tardies, in a quarter, parents will be called in for a conference. Ten tardies will be cause for detention.

2.  Absences

California school law requires that students attend school regularly unless they are specifically excused for a good reason. Students should be absent only for illness, injury, and emergency. Regular attendance is a prerequisite to successful school life. Students who are absent or tardy are held responsible for any work they may have missed.

A telephone call to the school office on each day of the absence is required.

Communicable diseases must be reported immediately to the school. Illness and medical appointments are recognized as excused absences.

3. Participation in After School Events

 Students absent from school may not participate in any school-related activity on the day(s) of absence.

4. Extended Absence

If a student is absent for more than 15 days during a report card period he will not receive grades without arrangements for make-up work with the principal and teacher.

Illness and Injury

Should a student be injured or become ill, he/she should report to the office. If necessary, the school will notify parents. Students must be picked up at the school office. No student will be permitted to go home before contact is made through the school office.

Every family will maintain an updated Emergency Information Card indicating names and telephone numbers of persons to contact in the event of illness/injury or other emergency.

Students with contagious diseases should not return to school until cleared by their doctor.

In the case of long-term absences parents must apply for permission and notify all their child's teachers at least 2 weeks prior to departure. Advance assignments will be given at the discretion of the teacher. If the work is not completed it will have to be made-up upon the student's return.

Homework Requests

For students who are absent, parents may request that homework be prepared for the student during the absence. All requests must be made prior to 9:00 a.m. and may be picked up at the office after 3:00 p.m.

Extended or Voluntary Absences

If for family reasons parents need to take their children out of school temporarily, the principal and/or the teacher will discuss with the parents the possible effects of such an absence. A Request for Extended Absence Form must be filled out prior to the absence.

Parents are encouraged to plan family travel at a time when it will not interfere with the child’s education. Homework may be given to students going out of town for an emergency only. Teachers are not obliged to plan assignments for students going on a family vacation during the school session. Completing all make-up work is the responsibility of the student. A Family Trip Request Form should be filled out by parents prior to the student’s absence.

Doctor /Dental Appointments

Parents are urged to make medical and dental appointments outside of school time, whenever possible. Phone calls requesting early dismissals are strongly discouraged. However, if it is necessary to schedule an appointment during school hours, students must be picked up at the school office. This will facilitate the teacher in having homework, backpacks, etc., ready, with less distraction to the rest of the class. Students are required to have a note from the medical office documenting date and time of appointment, when returning to school. This allows the student to be legally credited for attendance.

Telephone Privileges

No student may be called to the phone unless it is an emergency. If it is necessary to contact a student during the school day, a message may be left at the office. Lunches, books, or projects delivered by parents to the school should be left at the office. Parents are not to disturb classes while in session.

No student is allowed to use the phone unless permission is granted by a teacher or staff member. Only the office phones are to be used by students, and only in the presence of an adult.

Parents who give students a cell phone, for after-school use, assume full responsibility if phones are lost or damaged at school. Student use of cell phones is limited to after the final bell, at the end of dismissal. Cell phones will be confiscated any other time of the school day and will be returned only to a parent.

Medication

• Permission to Administer Medication Form must be completed by the parent/guardian each time medication is to be administered at school.
• No medication may be left with the teacher or with the student.
• No medications are to be put in the student’s lunch bag to be taken at lunch time.
• Students must take medication in the presence of an adult who will verify that the student has the proper medication. The accurate dosage must be written down.
• Medication will be stored and administered in the school office, or in the First Aid room.

Emergency Preparedness Plan and Procedures

Each month students and staff practice fire drills and/or emergency evacuation procedures; once a year, there will be an earthquake drill. In the event of an earthquake or other emergency while school is in session, parents are requested to follow the following procedures:

• Do remain calm and know your child is being well cared for.
• Do not phone the school. Lines must be kept free for emergencies.
• Do come to school to pick up your child, OR send one of the authorized adults to pick up your child. There will be a designated pickup point for your child. The authorized adult must be specified by you on either the Emergency Card, or the blue Disaster Form that you complete at the beginning of the school year. No exceptions to this policy will be made.
• Students and teachers will assemble on school grounds. All students will remain at school regardless of the time, until a parent or authorized adult comes for them, or until further direction is given by authorities to the school personnel. We are prepared to care for your children in times of critical situations.
• Any adult trying to pick up students at school will be required to show identification before the student will be released, and will sign a form indicating that the student has been released into their care. Parents will present themselves at the Control Center. Parents will be asked for each student’s name and grade. Parents, or other authorized adult by the parents, must sign a release for the student.
• Each parent is responsible for completing ALL forms required and returning ALL forms completely filled out and signed.
• If forms are received incomplete Notre Dame Academy will continue to return the forms until they are complete and will not be responsible for release of inaccurate or incomplete information regarding your child. Every attempt will be made to provide for the safety and care of your child.
• In the event that the emergency/disaster lasts longer than twelve (12) hours, the school may be evacuated to the community evacuation center: Pacific Athletic Club, 12000 Carmel Country Road, San Diego CA 92130. A sign will be posted at Notre Dame Academy informing parents of this move.
• The school has emergency equipment and food/water supplies for seventy-two (72) hours for each student and staff member. In the event of a prolonged stay at school, students and staff will proceed to the Pacific Athletic Club on Carmel Country Road when directed by official civil emergency personnel.

The Administrator/Principal may direct an emergency dismissal when a serious condition warrants it. If an emergency occurs outside school hours, the radio station will give information regarding school closure. As a general rule, Notre Dame Academy will follow the same procedures as Cathedral Catholic High School.