Attendance
ATTENDANCE
Dallas Lutheran School and Texas School Law require that students punctually attend all scheduled class and laboratory periods in which they are enrolled. Students must keep their other school commitments, which include chapel, athletic events and practices, rehearsals and concerts, study halls, assemblies, advising meetings and lunch.
ABSENCE
Steps to take when a student is absent from school:
1. Parent MUST phone the School Office (214/349-8912) by 9:00am on the day of the absence. In the event that the school is NOT phoned, the Attendance Secretary will contact parents that morning.
2. Upon return to school, student must bring a note signed by a parent to the School Office to receive a “BLUE SLIP.” (e-mails are not acceptable!)
3. The “BLUE SLIP” must be taken to each teacher, including Advising, for signature.
Note: A student who returns to class without a “BLUE SLIP” is responsible THAT CLASS PERIOD for all work due that class period, including taking of tests. Work due on the day of absence will not be accepted.
Note: A doctor’s note, documenting the student’s condition, must accompany any absence consisting of three (3) or more consecutive days. When a doctor’s note is received in the office shortly after a student’s absence of two (2) or more days, the absences resulting from the doctor reviewed illness are combined into one (1) absence.
High School Students: The number of absences allowed per High School class per semester is TEN (10) (excused absences included). Upon the 11th absence in each class, students will be denied course credit. Notices will be sent to the student’s recorded residence after the fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth absence. The administration reserves the right to review all attendance cases.
Middle School Students: The number of absences allowed per semester is TEN (10). Absences which exceed the attendance guidelines may seriously jeopardize a student’s promotion to the next grade and/or continued enrollment at Dallas Lutheran School. The Principal reserves the right to review all cases of excessive absence.
PLANNED/KNOWN ABSENCE
When a student knows in advance that classes will be missed, he/she must complete a Known Absence Form. The student must bring a written request for the form signed by a parent/guardian. The form must be requested at least two (2) days in advance of the absence. The Principal must then sign the form, as well as all teachers, and assignments must be complete or arrangements made before checking out of school.
If it is necessary for parents to pick up students at school during the school hours, parents should come into the office and sign them out. If students are driving themselves, a note from a parent giving them permission to leave the school campus must be filed in the school office before they may sign out.
TRUANCY
Truancy is an absence that occurs without parental permission or as a result of leaving campus without proper permission. Students may not make up class work, assignments or tests that are missed. Truant students will be subject to disciplinary action.
TARDINESS
Punctuality is a part of responsibility and DLS endeavors to help students become more responsible. All students are expected to be inside their classrooms and prepared when the tardy bell rings. Students who are 10 minutes or more late to class will be marked ABSENT. Students are allowed no more than SIX (6) tardies per class per semester. Upon the seventh tardy, students will be denied course credit from that class. Notices will be sent to the student’s recorded residence after the fourth and sixth tardy.
All accounting for absences and tardies will begin at each semester.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TARDY POLICY
Middle School students are expected to arrive at each class and comply with instructor tardiness guidelines.
Middle School students are limited to THREE (3) occurrences of tardiness per quarter to the 1st period class. Upon the 4th occurrence of tardiness to the 1st period class, the student will report directly to the office. The student’s parent(s) will be contacted. The student will receive NO credit for homework, quizzes, or tests scheduled for that period.