Attendance

Attendance Requirements

Regular attendance is essential for successful school achievement. Therefore, students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. Please refer to board policy JED,JED-R, andJEDA. To this end, the following guidelines will be followed by all schools within the Sycamore Community Schools:

Legal Requirement

All children between ages six (6) and eighteen (18) are of compulsory school age and must attend school. (Ohio Revised Code, Section 3321.01:) It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to ensure their child attends school, therefore, it is the obligation of the parent/guardian to report the child’s absence or tardy each day the student is absent. (Ohio Revised Code, Section 3321.03:)

Procedure for Reporting Absences

1. If a student will be absent from school or requires an early dismissal, a parent/guardian should email or call hsattendance@sycamoreschools.org or the Attendance Line for All: 513.686.1707 to report the absence before 8:20 a.m. on the day of the absence. Absences permitted per board policy will be marked as "excused."
2. If the school was not notified about an absence, notification must be provided to the Attendance Office upon return to school with the following details:
   • Student Name
   • Date(s) of absence
   • Reason for the absence
   • Parent/guardian phone number
   • Parent/guardian signature
3. Without notification, the absence will be considered unexcused.
4. Students who are absent due to a doctor’s appointment are encouraged to provide a note from the physician/medical provider upon return in order to medically excuse the absence.
5. Students who are absent without notification to the school will be marked as "unverified." Unverified absences are considered unexcused. Unverified absences will prompt an automated phone notification to the parent/guardian within 120 minutes of the start of the school day.

******* Repeated truancies may result in loss of driving privileges to school as a result of notification to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, loss of senior early dismissal/late arrival, and/or truancy charges with the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. Please refer to board policy JED and JED-R.

Extracurricular Activities

A complete listing of all the activities and clubs that students can join is located in the guidance office. All interested students are encouraged to participate in clubs, activities, and athletics. If a student needs financial aid to enable him/her to participate in any of these programs, the student should contact the club/activity sponsor or coach to obtain that support.

For school-sponsored functions, every effort is made to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If specific auxiliary aids and/or accommodations are needed, please notify the building principal’s office at least two working days prior to the event.

Extracurricular Activities Attendance

Students who miss an entire school day are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities. Religious expression days, as outlined by board policy (link here) and Ohio law would not prohibit participation in extracurricular activities. If special circumstances arise preventing school attendance, families may reach out to the building principal for consideration.

Bell Schedules

Excused and Non-Absences

College Visits, Military, and Career Exploration

Students will be given reasonable time to visit colleges, explore career options, or check out military opportunities. Written notice of intended visits is requested prior to the date of absence. Students must provide verification of visit attendance to the Attendance Office afterward.

Senior Late Arrival/Early Dismissal

Students with early dismissal are reminded that early dismissal can be revoked at any time for failure to pass all classes and/or failure to maintain good behavior and attendance. Students who have early dismissal should exit the building promptly and should not be loitering in the hallways. Late arrival students should not enter the building prior to 8:05. Late arrival students should wait in the commons. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in Early Dismissal or Late Arrival being revoked and the student assigned to a study hall or class.

Field Trips

Any student who participates in a field trip (or is absent from class for an athletic contest) must notify his/her teachers in advance that he/she will be out of class. Participation in a field trip does not excuse a student from fulfilling his/her student responsibilities. For more information, please see board policy IICA/IICA-R.

• If a paper or project is due on the day of the trip, the student must turn it into the appropriate teacher prior to leaving on the trip.
• If a test or quiz is missed, it must be made up as soon as possible at the teacher’s convenience. This may be done after school on the same day after the student returns from the trip.
• A student is responsible for all work missed when on a trip. If a test, quiz, or project is scheduled for the day following the trip, the student will be required to complete the work with the class.

Make-Up Opportunities Due To Excused Absences

It is the responsibility of the student with an excused absence to complete make-up work. Students who are ill are allowed two days for every one day absent to turn in make-up work, however, assignments/tests due the day of absence are to be turned in or completed the day the student returns to school. Students are encouraged to utilize Canvas to access assignments.

In cases when illness or convalescence results in an extended period of absence (3 or more days), arrangements should be made through the Counseling Center to send assignments home or have them ready for parent pick up by calling 513-686-1770 ext. 3070.