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Policies

Attendance Policy

You have 48 hours to excuse your students absence from school.

The SMMS Attendance Line is 503.844.1238 or 503.844.1220 Ext. 2.

An excused absence is:

  • Student illness/injury/quarantine
  • Bereavement
  • Serious illness in the family
  • Religious instruction
  • Inclement weather
  • Family emergencies
  • Legal or court appointments requiring the student attendance.

The principal may also excuse student absences for necessary family travel. Medical professionals may request that a student be granted an excused absence; however, parents are encouraged to schedule medical appointments outside the school day when possible. Students are encouraged to pre-arrange absences for reasons other then illness or family emergency. See student handbooks for specific procedure.

Unexcused Absence/Truancy

Regular and punctual attendance is a major contributing factor to student’s progress in school and also helps the student develop habits of responsibility which are essential for success later in life.

An absence is considered unexcused and a student shall be considered truant if:

  • Student is absent without an excuse by a parent/guardian.
  • Student leaves school or a class without permission from the teacher or administrator in charge.

Excessive absences negatively affect a student’s academic progress. Eight unexcused one-half day absences in any four-week period during which the school is in session shall be considered irregular attendance. A student may be excused by the district for a period not to exceed five days in a term of three months or not to exceed 10 days in any term of at least six months.

Attend - Achieve page

 

Tardy Policy

Being on time each day is an important part of being a successful student at South Meadows Middle School. It is the responsibility of each student to be in the classroom when the bell rings. Being on time maximizes the teacher’s ability to provide as much instruction as possible. Being tardy affects the teacher’s ability to get started on the day’s lesson and is disruptive to the learning process of others.

Morning Start Times

The first morning bell rings at 8:35 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The first morning bell rings at 9:05 a.m. on each Wednesday. Students are to be in their classrooms 10 minutes after the first morning bell. It is important that students arrive early enough so that they can eat breakfast before the day begins.

Passing Time

South Meadows allows 5 minutes between each passing period. Passing time allows students to move throughout the building while providing a break. Running in the halls to get to class is not allowed as it may lead to an accident. Socializing is an important part of middle school; however, it should not interfere with a student’s ability to get to class on time.

Recording Tardiness

Teachers will record students who are tardy to their class. Each tardy will be put into our computer system along with absences. Consequences will be given to students tardy for class as outlined below.

CONSEQUENCES FOR BEING TARDY

Students are in their seat with supplies for class when the bell rings.  If you don’t make it during that time, teachers will be marking you as tardy.  Passing times are five minutes. The tardy policy is a follows:

Administration will be making weekly reports and meeting with students and parents about excessive tardies.

  1. Excessive tardies are processed by administration.  Consequences include lunch detention, community service, after school detention, parent meeting, in-school suspension and Saturday School.    

           (tardies RENEW each quarter)

Consequences for tardies begin anew each quarter.