Attendance Policy

A day absent from Barry Tech is equivalent to more than three days of a one-period class you attend at your high school. Not only will excessive absenteeism or lateness affect your grade, but it impacts your ability to attend internships, clinic, Work Based Learning experiences, and other services/experiences offered at Barry Tech. Our business partners are looking for responsible students who can be punctual and in attendance every day. Absenteeism will be factored into the work ethic, knowledge, and skill portions of your overall grade.

Attendance is taken daily, and you are expected to be on time and attend the entire session. The attendance personnel or our automated system will make telephone calls and/or send texts to your parent/guardian to report absences and lateness. A student needs to bring a note stating the reason for absence within five (5) school days of their return to Barry Tech. Any Home School activity including but not limited to field trips, pep rally, senior pictures, etc., require advanced notification and a note or e-mail from your Home School guidance counselor for your absence to be excused.

After five (5) school days, it will be marked as an unexcused absence. Absences from class will impact a student's Work Ethic grade, Knowledge, and Skill grade.

Absenteeism/lateness will also impact your ability to participate in service learning and community service, competitions, student leadership (Student Ambassador, Skills USA), National Technical Honor Society, Student of the Quarter, Outstanding Student and attending graduation.

Attendance reports are sent to all home school districts. Our attendance office, administration and guidance counselors will monitor excessive absences closely. A standard attendance policy and procedure will be followed. Necessary interventions are documented as an attempt to improve a student's attendance at Barry Tech.

1. After five (5) absences, a letter is sent home to ensure your parent/guardian is aware of your absences, and a copy is sent to your district too.
2. After 10 absences, a second letter is sent home to make sure that your parent/guardian is aware of your excessive absences and a student meeting will be scheduled with Guidance. Students may be placed on an Attendance Contract.
3. After 15 absences, a letter is sent home to your parent/guardian and you will be required to attend a meeting with your parent/guardian, home district, and an administrator from Barry Tech.
4. If additional absences occur, resulting in 20 absences or more, you may jeopardize your placement at Barry Tech.

Lateness

If you arrive at school after the scheduled starting time for your classes, you will be marked late for that day. You must get a pass upon entering the building and present the pass to your teacher to enter class if you are late.

1. Only the following will be considered Excused Lateness:
   • A school bus arriving after the late bell or no bus pick-up (which will be verified by a parent/guardian note or district notification).
   • A lateness due to a home school activity (an official letter from your home school must be presented to the Attendance Office).
   • A family emergency (a letter of explanation from the parent/guardian is required).
   • Legal excuse, such as court, medical, or religious obligation, with written notification.
2. All others will be considered an Unexcused Lateness, which will affect the student's Work Ethic grade.

Consequences of Excessive Lateness

Intervention will be made by the classroom teacher by a call home, and, if chronic, the guidance department will become involved. Unexcused Lateness will affect a student's Work Ethic grade and lead to possible disciplinary action.