Students are expected to attend all of their classes regularly and punctually. Regular attendance is a vital part of learning. The only valid reasons for absences are Illness/ appointment; Authorized School Activity; and/or Religious Observance.
Students who are signed out of class(es), by their parent/guardian, are not to be on school property.
Reporting Attendance
All students are expected to be on time for all classes. However, there are times when students will be late or absent from school. When this happens to you must: U
Under 18:
- Have your parent/guardian call or email stouffville.dss@yrdsb.ca the Attendance Office (905-640-1433 Press 1) with an explanation at the start of the day you are absent.
- If this is not possible, phone the school yourself and bring a note from your parents/guardian to the Attendance Office upon your return to school.
- Parents/ guardians may be contacted where absences are unexplained.
18 years or older:
- Telephone the Attendance Office (905-640-1433 and Press 1) with an explanation on the day you are absent.
- If you have persistent unexplained absences, a conversation with your vice-principal will occur to support improved attendance.
It is expected that all students are in class regularly and on time. In the event that students are late/absent, teachers will track and administer interventions/consequences, including but not limited to contact with home, making up missed time (e.g. lunch detention), creation of an attendance contract etc. If a student continues to be late or truant, they will be referred to the office for progressive discipline and/or additional support. In the event of extended absence for illness, or an absence on the date of a scheduled assessment/evaluation, a medical note may be requested.
Signing In and Out
In the event that you must leave school early due to a valid reason, you must sign out at the Attendance Office. If you are under 18, this must be done with parent/guardian permission (call, note, email).
When you reach the age of 18, you may sign out independently with a valid reason. If you leave school and return before the end of the day, you must sign back in at the Attendance Office (explaining the circumstances) before proceeding to class.
If a student is signed out, they must leave the school property. Students cannot be signed out by a parent/guardian and remain in the school unsupervised.
Request for Absences of Five or More Instructional Days (e.g. Vacation)
A student who wishes to withdraw from school for five or more days at the request of parents or guardians must complete an “Extraordinary Absence Form” one week in advance for the proposed absence. This form may be obtained from the Attendance Office. It must be completed fully by both the parents and teachers involved and then submitted to the Administration at least one week prior to your planned absence. This will allow your teachers to help you make up for missed work.
Exams must be written during these scheduled dates. As a result, please do not schedule vacations during these times. It is the student’s responsibility to make up work missed due to lateness or absences. Again, it is important to be on time for all classes.