Cutting Classes
Absence from Class / Cutting Policy
To uphold our standard of excellence and support student success, we have revised our policies regarding classroom participation as it relates to Absence from Class and Cutting.
Cutting Classes
- Subject teachers will record all student class absences daily.
- Signed, teacher-approved passes or trip forms issued by school staff will be honored as valid excuses for a class absence under special circumstances.
- A class absence due to lateness to school is not considered an excused absence and will be treated as cutting.
Class Participation Rubric & Impact
- Attendance and participation are key components of Habits of Success (HOS), as defined in each teacher’s grading policy/class contract.
- Students who are absent or late cannot receive full credit for HOS.
- A “Lack of Participation” notation will appear on the report card if a student cuts a subject class.
- Teachers will notify parents/guardians when a student accumulates an instance of cutting.
- The HOS grade will reflect occurrences of cutting or late-cutting.
Reporting & Procedural Steps for Cutting
- First Cut
- Teacher speaks to the student.
- Teacher generates an anecdotal report to the Deans via Teach Hub.
- Teacher emails the parent/guardian.
- Second Cut
- Teacher generates an anecdotal report to the Deans.
- Dean speaks to the student and contacts the parent/guardian.
- Parent/guardian is informed that further cuts will result in a Parent Conference with an Assistant Principal.
- Third Cut & Beyond
- Teacher generates an anecdotal report to the Deans.
- Dean contacts the parent/guardian.
- A mandatory meeting is scheduled with the student, parent/guardian, and Department Assistant Principal.
Consequences & Restorative Actions
A Parent Conference with the subject-area Assistant Principal will determine an appropriate disciplinary and/or restorative plan. Consequences may include:
- Exclusion from club and/or athletic team activities until attendance improves.
- Exclusion from senior activities (if applicable).
- Completion of school community service.