Attendance Policies
General Guidelines
COHS administration is responsible for implementing all student attendance policies, recording and storing of attendance records, and all other regulations as set forth by New York State Education Law.
Regular school attendance is essential for academic success and the progress of each student. Attendance is recorded on each student’s permanent record, therefore a poor attendance record may negatively impact employment opportunities, college acceptances, and my jeopardize timely graduation.
As a partner in the education of our students, parents are asked not to permit absences from school for trivial purposes. Whenever possible, please schedule medical appointments around school hours and encourage your child to attend classes on a daily basis. An absence for any purpose other than an illness and/or family emergency will be recorded as an illegal absence. Additionally, absences from school without written parental consent will constitute a truancy.
The school day begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 2:15 p.m. Students are required to be seated in homeroom prior to the 7:45 a.m. bell. Students arriving to school/homeroom after this bell will be recorded tardy. New York State Education Law also requires that teachers record attendance for each class period throughout the school day. Failure to arrive to class on time will result in a discipline sanction. Students arriving more than 15 minutes late to class will be marked absent from that class (not tardy).
The issuing of course credit is dependent on two (2) factors:
- Students must fulfill all course requirements, including earning a passing average of 65 or higher
- Students must meet the attendance requirement (cannot miss more than 27 scheduled class meetings, excused or unexcused)
Students not meeting the required seat time will not be awarded any class participation points at the end of that quarter. Students who do not meet the minimum seat requirement at the conclusion of the academic year must pass the course and written final examination with a minimum score of 75 in order to receive course credit.
Please note, students with excessive absences may be denied the right to participate in after school activities, including sports, clubs, dances and/or field trips.
Notifying School of Absence/Illness
Each day a student is absent from school, a parent/guardian must call the COHS Attendance Office before 8:15 a.m. to report such absence. A written note signed by the parent/guardian is also required on the day the student returns to school. If a written note is not submitted, the absence will be recorded as illegal.
Please note that if a parent/guardian does not call in to report an illness, a school representative will attempt to contact the parent/guardian after 8:30 a.m. to confirm the absence.
Early Dismissal / Late Arrival for Medical Purposes
A request for early dismissal must be signed by a parent/guardian and must state the reason and time for the dismissal. This note should be turned in to the main office prior to the start of homeroom. The school reserves the right to verify medical appointments if excessive dismissals occur.
Students entering school late due to a medical appointment must have a dated, written note from the doctor’s office upon entering school.
Policy for Student Tardiness
To account for unforeseen delays in the morning, students are permitted to enter school late up to five (5) times each year without penalty. After a student has exceeded his/her allowance, he or she must:
- Be physically signed in by a parent or guardian, or
- Serve a detention on the same day
The length of the detention will be 30 minutes, and will increase by five (5) minutes for each subsequent tardy. After a student has exceeded 10 tardies, they will be issued one (1) day of in-school suspension and a parent conference will be required before the student is permitted to return to classes. Students with excessive tardiness may also be restricted from participation in extra-curricular activities and events.
Requesting Missed Work Due to Extended Illness
In the case of prolonged student illness (three days or more), a parent/guardian may contact the Guidance Office to request assignments. Homework requests made before 9:00 a.m. will be ready for pick up at 2:30 p.m. in the Guidance Office. For absences shorter than three (3) days, students are expected to contact classmates for missed assignments. Homework requests will not be honored for students serving out-of-school suspensions.
It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with teachers on the day they return to make up missed assignments and/or tests/quizzes.
