Attendance Policy

At Oquirrh Hills Middle School we, the participants and patrons, exemplify an
environment of mutual respect and cooperation, a commitment to excellence in
all endeavors, and the encouragement of positive character traits. The Jordan
School District requires that all students achieve mastery in the basic skills. Any
absence from school interferes with the studentʼs opportunity to master these
skills. In an effort to increase student success, prepare them for attendance
expectations in their future careers and exemplify our commitment to excellence,
Oquirrh Hills Middle School has established the following attendance policy.

Oquirrh Hills Middle School is committed to academic excellence and
understands that learning is increased with consistent attendance. This policy
states the responsibilities of Oquirrh Hills Middle School teachers, students and
parents regarding school attendance, and defines absences and tardies.

Attendance Policy Goals
Oquirrh Hills Middle School attendance policy will help students achieve
success in their courses as well as accomplish the following goals:
• Develop student responsibility
• Develop quality citizenship
• Increase respect for teachers, other students and learning
• Prepare for future employment

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Role of the Parent
• Parents shall avoid interruptions of the academic year and plan
medical appointments and vacations at times that will not require
students to be out of school.
• Parents shall support school, district policies and state law by
expecting regular school attendance.
• In the case of illness or other legitimate reasons for absences, the
parent shall contact the attendance office and notify the school of
studentʼs absence.
• The role of the parent is further summarized by the following:

Utah Compulsory Attendance Laws [53A-11-101] requires every school age child to
be in school. Parents are responsible for their childrenʼs regular school attendance
and may be charged with a misdemeanor if they fail to ensure their studentʼs regular
attendance. Parents are responsible for notifying the school when an absence
occurs within five school days of the absence.

The Role of the Student
• Students shall gain the most of their educational experience by
regularly attending and being on time to all classes.
• Students shall be present in assigned or designated areas at all
times.
• Students shall follow proper check-in/check out procedures.
• After an absence students shall obtain make-up assignments from
the teacher and shall turn them in promptly.

The Role of the Teacher
• Teachers shall keep accurate roll of all absences and tardies.
• Teachers shall emphasize the importance of punctuality by
beginning class promptly with a bell ringer.
• Teacher shall discuss attendance issues with students as they arise
and inform the school administration if attendance does not
improve.

The Role of the Administration
• The administration shall enforce and uphold Utah State Compulsory
Education law that may include a referral to juvenile court for
excessive absenteeism.
• The administration shall identify students with attendance issues
and work cooperatively with parents and students to improve
attendance.
• The administration shall use earnest and persistent efforts to
improve studentʼs attendance.

The Role of the Attendance Office
• The attendance office shall keep administrators and parents
informed of attendance problems.
• The attendance office shall notify parents of excessive absenteeism
by phone message, calling machine or letter.
• The attendance office shall review attendance daily and resolve
discrepancies in student attendance records.
• The attendance office shall provide excused check-in/check-out
slips upon authorization by a studentʼs parent/guardian by phone or
in person.

ATTENDANCE CODE DEFINITIONS
Code Explanation Definition
A Absent The school received no contact from the parent or guardian
regarding absence
C Check-In/Out The student checked in or out with a valid note or call from a
parent or guardian during the same period
D In school suspension Student is placed in a detention at the school and is in
attendance
E Excused Absence The student was absent and considered excused because of
illness, medical appointment, death or funeral of a family
member, wedding, court etc…
G Guardian Knowledge The student was absent and is considered excused because
the parent or guardian provided a call or note. In the case of
excessive absence, this excuse is not considered excused by
the Truancy Court.
H Home & Hospital Ill 10 days or more with appropriate paperwork completed
I Excused Check-In The student checked in with a valid note or call from a parent or
guardian
J Testing Student is in a school sponsored testing situation
K Detention/Crisis
Center Student is currently in a court detention setting or JRC

L Excused/made-up
tardy The student came to class or left early with a valid and verified
excuse
N School Activity The student is out of class due to a school sponsored activity
O Check-Out The student checked out with a valid note or call from a parent
or guardian
S Suspension Student has been removed from the school setting for
disciplinary reasons
T Tardy Up to 10 minutes late to class
U Unexcused check-in The student checked into school late with no excusal
V Vacation/Education
leave The student is absent due to a prearranged vacation or
educational leave.
W Past 10 Minutes More than 10 minutes late to class
X/Y Administrative
Conference Student was involved in a conference with a school counselor
or administrator
Z Truant Student was truant and parents or school verified the truancy.
This includes students leaving the school without checking out,
not arriving at school as expected or missing any part or all of a
scheduled class without permission.

TARDIES
All teachers will use the same definition for tardy: Students are tardy if they are
not in the classroom when the bell rings. If a student goes the entire quarter
without any tardies, he/she will be invited to attend the "No Tardy Party" at the
end of each quarter. OHMS will follow this tardy policy:
1. All teachers will require their students to complete a graded activity
each day as soon as the bell rings.
2. This starter activity will be computed with each studentʼs grade in each
class. Unexcused tardy students will receive a zero on this starter
activity, thus negatively affecting his/her overall grade in the class.
These points cannot be made up.
3. If a student has an excused tardy or absence, teachers will have the
option of allowing a make-up of that dayʼs starter activity OR not
counting it. An excused tardy or absence will not adversely affect a
studentʼs grade.
4. Periodic tardy sweeps will be conducted by the administration in the
form of a "Tardy Explanation Sheet" which is handed out to students
who are still in the hall after the tardy bell. Students who receive this
assignment will have until the following morning to return it to the office.
Students who do not complete the assignment are assigned an after
school detention.
5. Classroom/School consequences will be assigned to students who
exhibit continued tardy behavior. Notifications will be sent home with
the student.