At the start of any new year, we find ourselves focusing on new habits and new routines. Regular attendance builds good habits for a lifetime, and regular attendance at school is important to the academic development of our students and is required by Ohio state law. Per our Student/Parent Handbooks, the following defines SUA’s attendance policy (p. 27-29):

• Parents/Guardians must report all absences by 8:00 a.m. by calling the attendance line (513-872-7160).  The Attendance Director will contact the parent’s/guardian’s cell phone if a student is not present in her assigned class or activity.
• All students must realize that the academic program takes precedence before any after-school activities.  A student must be in attendance at school by 9:30 a.m. and remain until the end of the school day in order to participate in any after-school activities that day or evening; including, but not limited to, athletics, co-curricular activities, dances, prom, and off-campus privileges. 
• A student who is absent more than five times (excused or unexcused) in any quarter in any class is considered excessively absent.  A participation grade is given in each class and students who are excessively absent will not receive the maximum participation grade. Additional absences could  result in the student not receiving credit for the course.  Exceptions to this policy will be made only by the Vice Principal of Academics.

To clarify the codes that parents and students may see in PowerSchool, the following classifications are assigned to any absence:

Official absence

An absence due to a student’s participation in a recognized Saint Ursula Academy activity (including such things as school field trips, and academic or athletic competitions) is considered an official absence and the student will not be marked absent from school.  Additional educational opportunities must be pre-approved and reviewed on an individual basis by the Vice Principal of Academics. It is the student’s responsibility to contact her teachers regarding make-up work. 

Excused

An absence is excused if it is an illness verified by the parent/guardian for the specific day(s) involved, or for a death in the immediate family.  A physician’s note is required to excuse an illness on an exam day or during Faith in Action activities. For excused absences, tests, quizzes, and other in-class work missed may be made up at a time convenient to the teacher.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact her teachers regarding make-up work.  Teachers may be contacted by voicemail at school or by e-mail.

Unexcused

Any other absences will be considered unexcused. If an absence is unexcused, assignments and projects may not be accepted; tests and quizzes might not be permitted to be made up.  Please consult individual syllabi for course-specific expectations regarding missing work.

Foreseeable Absences

Saint Ursula Academy strongly discourages the scheduling of vacations, trips, or club sporting events when school is in session. Ample time is available at Christmas, Easter, and some extended weekends throughout the year. Parents/guardians must request that any foreseeable absences be excused absences.  Requests should be made to the Attendance Director or  Vice Principal of Academics in writing by a parent/guardian at least one week in advance. Parents/guardians and students are reminded that a student with more than five absences in any class during any quarter is considered excessively absent and will not receive the maximum participation grade. No requests for excused absences during any exam period or Faith in Action activities should be made.

a. Prolonged Absences

If a student is out for a week or more, verification from an attending physician should be provided to the Vice Principal of Academics prior to the student’s return.

For any questions or guidance, please contact Mrs. Shari Bacon, Attendance Director (sbacon@saintursula.org).