Coconino High School

Attendance Policy

Students must be present in the classroom prepared to engage when the bell rings. Students who arrive late create a distraction to the class that can affect other students. We want students on time and ready to learn, which also adheres to state law.

The Flagstaff Unified School District follows the Arizona State law ARS-15-803 which requires that students attend school at least 90% of the available class periods in order to receive credit. Any student collecting over 10 absences (please see definition below) in any class period during a semester will be placed on attendance probation and risk loss of credit towards graduation requirements.

Attendance marks are defined as any absence in any given class. Any absence from class, excused or unexcused, will be recorded in Synergy and count against the student. Exceptions to the attendance mark policy may be:

Students assigned In School Suspension
School administration excused absences listed below.
- Administrator / Office
- Late Bus
- Adverse Weather
- School Activities
- Other Circumstances which in the administrators’ judgment qualify.

Students must be present in the classroom prepared to engage when the bell rings. Students who arrive late create a distraction to the class that can affect other students. We want students on time and ready to learn, which also adheres to state law.

The Flagstaff Unified School District follows the Arizona State law ARS-15-803 which requires that students attend school at least 90% of the available class periods in order to receive credit. Any student collecting over 10 absences (please see definition below) in any class period during a semester will be placed on attendance probation and risk loss of credit towards graduation requirements.

Attendance marks are defined as any absence in any given class. Any absence from class, excused or unexcused, will be recorded in Synergy and count against the student. Exceptions to the attendance mark policy may be:

Students assigned In School Suspension
School administration excused absences listed below.
- Administrator / Office
- Late Bus
- Adverse Weather
- School Activities
- Other Circumstances which in the administrators’ judgment qualify.

The difference between an excused and unexcused absence is the ability to make up class work. If the absence is verified, any classroom assignments may be turned in upon return for full credit. Students have one day for every absence to make up the work. After that, it is up to the teacher's discretion. Unexcused absences (due to but not limited to ditching/truancy) may result in the inability to make up work, which can then result in a loss of credit.

Students wishing to leave campus for any reason during the school day must check out in the front office. Parents must call into the attendance office prior to students leaving. If these procedures are not followed, the absence will be considered truant.

Report An Absence

Donna Lightbody	Attendance Secretary	(928) 773-8211
Maria Valencia	Attendance Aide	(928) 773-8210

Attendance Policy

A student arriving late to class will be marked tardy in Synergy (our student information system) and remain on the student’s permanent record. Chronic tardiness will result in an office referral and will be handled by school administration. Chronic tardies can be included under ARS Code 13-2911: Classroom Disruption defined as: “Interrupting or creating a disturbance or a commotion that impedes the educational process. The disruption could occur in the classroom or on campus. Students may be required to make up the time lost in class, attend an alternative to suspension after school hours, and/or be referred to the Coconino County Juvenile Diversion.

District and AIA regulated activity guidelines will be followed for all school activity absences. If such regulations do not apply to the activity, and the student is failing any class, the student may be precluded from participating in the activity. If a student athlete has an absence, excused or unexcused, on a weekday they will not be allowed to practice or participate on that day. In the event that a student athlete has an absence, excused or unexcused, on Friday or the school day preceding a scheduled holiday break they will be ineligible to participate in any athletic practice or contest until the next scheduled school day. A student athlete who, following established district procedures, pre-approves an absence may, with administrative approval, be deemed eligible to participate in school activities. Likewise, a student athlete who provides documentation of a Doctor’s appointment upon their return to school may, with administrative approval, be deemed eligible to participate in school activities.
In the event that a student collects 10 absences in any class during a semester, that student will be placed on attendance probation for the balance of that semester and may be referred to the Coconino County Juvenile Division. Students will be notified and warned after 5 and then 8 absences that they are approaching probation status. Once placed on attendance probation, the final semester grade will reflect an “F” as opposed to their actual earned grade. Students will be provided opportunities to recover the credit loss through provided school options. The “F” will remain on the final transcript if the attendance is not resolved with an administrator.
The counseling department and Special Education IEP teams of each school will have the ability to request “Special Circumstances” status for individual students. Those requests will be directed to the site Principal or designated Assistant Principal. Upon administrative approval a student granted “Special Circumstances” will be exempt from attendance probation if the absences are related to the “Special Circumstance”.

Students possessing and filing a Chronic Illness Form signed by their physician and verified by the school's nurse will be exempt from academic probation. This form needs to be submitted each year. For the attendance mark to be marked excused a parent/guardian must call in the student daily if their absence is due to their chronic illness.
- Class work for excused absences must be made up within time equal to the number of days absent.
- Class work must be accepted for full credit for absences resulting from out-of-school suspensions. Students are responsible for work missed during their suspensions.
- Unexcused absences (due to but not limited to eloping/truancy) may result in the inability to make up work, which can then result in a loss of credit.