Dear families,
Thank you for helping us get off to a wonderful start to the new school year! As we settle into the school routine for another successful year of learning and growing, I wanted to take a moment to bring to your attention the importance of school attendance and highlight some of our policies here at SJS, particularly in regards to the K-8 program:
Research shows that missing an excessive number of school days, regardless of the reason, can place a child at risk of falling behind academically. We realize, of course, that students will fall ill throughout the year and need time to recuperate at home. As such, we ask that you thoughtfully consider non-health related absences for your child.
Please note the following policies from the 2024-2025 SJS handbook:
*A parent or legal guardian must notify the school office by 8:00am of a student’s absence for any reason. Students’ attendance, tardies, and absences (excused and unexcused) will be monitored, and notification will be sent to parents/guardians informing them of attendance issues. A copy of the notice will be placed in the student’s academic file. If attendance issues continue, a meeting with the administration and parents/guardians may be called.
*If a student is absent due to illness for 3 consecutive days a doctor’s note is required in order to return to school.
*For the first 9 absences, a student’s absences are considered excused when the parent or guardian provides proper documentation including the reason for the absence. Such documentation could include an email note from the parent or guardian, a voice mail message regarding the absence, or a telephone call confirming the absence. For the 10th and all absences thereafter, a student’s absences from school will only be considered excused as documented in the handbook (illness, family emergency, observance of a religious holiday, extraordinary circumstances, etc.). A family vacation would not qualify as an excused absence if the student has already reached the 9 absence threshold. The school does reserve the right to retain a student in a grade or withdraw admission for the following school year for chronic absenteeism.
*If a student is absent, he/she is not allowed to attend any school-related activity after school that day.
*Students must satisfactorily complete all work missed during an absence. If a student is absent for two consecutive days due to illness, a parent may call the school to ask that the teacher prepare make-up work to be picked up in the office after 2:00pm. If a family takes a vacation which does not coincide with the school calendar, teachers do not have the responsibility of preparing class work ahead of time for the student. Missed work must be submitted within 3 school days of the students return to school.
*In case of an illness, please remember that students must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication before they can return to the classroom.
*Tardy arrivals are disruptive to the classroom and teacher as students are walking into class during prayers and announcements. We understand occasional issues arise (unusual traffic, etc), but these should be few and far between. If your child is not making it to school by 7:45am, please adjust your morning routine accordingly.
We truly are blessed with an outstanding learning community here at Saint James School and what makes our school so successful is the respectful partnership with each one of our families. Thank you for your efforts to make this another wonderful year for the students and staff at Saint James School.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or Mrs. Mitchell with any questions or concerns.
