Attendance
Good attendance and school achievement are closely linked. Therefore, Msgr. Farrell High School expects students to maintain a good attendance record as a prerequisite for earning course credit. Excessive absence and/or lateness may result in a disciplinary action. Should a student’s absences be so frequent as to jeopardize his obtaining credit, the Dean of Students will notify the student and his parents of this fact. Excessive (as defined by the school) absences may result in loss of course credit or dismissal from school.Absences not included in this policy are:
A) Classes missed because of approved school related and
sanctioned functions.
B) Absences for extended hospitalization, death in immediate
family, or extended illness under a physician’s care.
C) Any other absences which the Dean of Students considers to be
Extraordinary.
The following are considered legal reasons for being absent. Although legal, these absences will count toward those which may result in loss of credit:
- sickness
- required appearance in court
- remedial health treatment
Parents have the responsibility of informing the Attendance Office in writing of any anticipated absence. Arrangements must be made by the student, prior to the absence, for assignments, make-up work, scheduling of tests, etc. A student may not absent himself from school for reasons such as “travel”, “non-school vacations”, “work”, “baby sitting”, “unapproved college visits”, etc. This would be considered an “UNEXCUSED ABSENCE”. Violators would still be responsible for ALL work, at ZERO CREDIT, and are subject to other sanctions.
An “unexcused absence” for vacations, reunions, parent or family business is NOT a “legitimate” absence and will be penalized.
Whenever a student is absent, a parent or guardian must telephone the Attendance Office each morning of his absence—between the hours of 8:00an and 9:30am. The following information is to be given to the Attendance Office (718-979-2050):
A) state who is calling
B) state the student’s name, grade and homeroom
C) state cause of absence
D) state the duration of the absence—if it is long
(e.g. hospitalization) there is no need to call each day.
The following information should be included in the note:
A) the reason for the absence
B) the day or days of the absence
C) the student’s name and homeroom
D) the signature of the parent or guardian
The student is to show the “Admit Slip” to each of his subject teachers at the beginning of each class.
In the event that a student will be absent for an extended period of time (a week or more), the parent is to request that work from each of his subject teachers be sent home. This can be done by calling the Main Office and requesting his homework assignments.
If the required phone call is not made by the parent or guardian during the designated time period, the student will be assigned detention. If the student fails to present a note from his parent or guardian upon his return to school, he will be assigned detention.
Motor vehicle, medical, dental and other appointments should be scheduled for after school hours, Saturdays or during non-school days. Please refer to the school calendar.
College campus visits are to be made on designated “college search days” or on non-school time. Students will be excused ONLY for mandatory admissions interviews (rare) and NECESSARY BUSINESS after a college acceptance. A letter stating the reason for a school time appointment must be presented to and approved by the COLLEGE ADVISOR and THE PRINCIPAL before the scheduled appointment.
