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Students » Attendance

Attendance

Participation, and thus, attendance, is a crucial element of academic success. At Herriman High School, we recognize the importance of regular attendance and its direct impact on learning, participation, and overall academic performance. This policy outlines the expectations and grading implications related to student participation.

Attendance Recognition

  • To recognize students with exceptional attendance each quarter, the administration offers an incentive award. 
    • Quarter 1: T-Shirt
    • Quarter 2 - 4: Treat/food item/voucher
  • To be eligible for this award, students must meet the following criteria:
    • Be enrolled in at least 6 in-person classes at HHS.  (Online courses, seminary, education release, work experience, and job training do not count towards the 6 in-person classes.)
    • Miss no more than 4 excused periods within the quarter.  This includes all excused absences, including vacation days, check-ins, and check-outs. (School excused absences do not count toward the total)
    • No unexcused or made-up absences, tardies, way lates, or truancies.

Participation Grading

  • Weight on Overall Grade: There will be a participation grade in Skyward constituting no less than 10% and no more than 20% of the total grade for each class. Each class percentage will be decided by the teacher/department and included in each teacher's disclosure document.  
  • We assume students will be in class and on time every day. Students receive 100 points at the start of each quarter as a participation grade, and points are deducted for tardiness and absences. All points are earned each day they attend and participate. Teachers have the ability to remove points based on student participation, misbehaviors, or lack of time/participation in class. There is a  2-point deduction if they are tardy, a 3-point deduction for being way late, and a 4-point deduction if they are absent or truant. 

  • Grading for Participation:
    • Full Attendance: Students present for the entire class and actively participating receive all attendance points.
      • Participating necessitates attendance. Engaging with the teacher and classmates is impossible when a student isn’t there. Participation also includes actively listening, being a good audience member during presentations, and responding to activities as they happen.
    • Tardiness: Students arriving late (less than 10 minutes) to class receive 50% attendance points for their participation grade.
    • Way late: Students arriving more than 10 minutes late to class will receive 25% attendance points for their participation grade.
    • Absences/Truant: Absent and truant students receive none of the participation points for the day.
    • Guardian Excused Absence: Students will not lose points for guardian excused absences that are reported before 3:00 pm on the day of absence, or prior to any future missed days. 
    • Check-in/check-out: Students who follow our school policy will not lose points for guardian excused check-in/check-out that are reported before 3:00 pm on the day of or prior to any check-in/check-out. 

Excused Absences

Only specific scenarios will be considered for excused absences, where the missed class will not negatively impact the student’s participation grade. These include:

  • Vacation Release (V): Prior approved vacations as per school guidelines.
  • School-Excused Activities (N): Activities and obligations, including sports, debates, or other competitions officially recognized by the school administration.
  • Home and Hospital (H): Absences due to significant illness or conditions requiring home rest or hospitalization, verified by the district and a medical professional.
  • Guardian Excused (E-F):  Students will not lose points for guardian excused absences that are reported before 3:00 pm on the day of absence, or prior to any missed days. 
  • Check-in/check-out (C-I, C-O, C-F): Students who follow our school policy will not lose points for guardian excused check-in/check-out that are reported before 3:00 pm on the day of or prior to any check-in/check-out. 

Students must communicate with their instructors ahead of time about any approved excused absence.


Non-Excusable Absences

Participation points lost due to non-excused absences cannot be retrieved or made up. 

Parents/Guardians should avoid interruptions of the academic year and plan medical appointments and vacations at times that will not require students to be out of school.  Missing one day on the block schedule is equivalent to missing two days of curriculum instruction and classwork.

Check-In/Out Policy

Check in’s are only allowed for the following situations:

  • Guardian has previously called to check student in
  • Student arrives with a medical note or guardian note
  • Student was checked out earlier and is returning

All other students arriving late will be sent directly to class.

Teachers will take attendance at the beginning of class. If the student receives a T or W, parents can call within the 5-school-day window to excuse the late arrival ONLY for the student’s first arrival. Participation points will only be granted if you call before 3:00 pm on the day of check-in/check-out.

  • Tardy = first 10 minutes of class, Way Late = 11+ minutes late 

Students will not be allowed to check in for subsequent classes.  They will be instructed to go directly to class.  The only exceptions will be where the situations above are applicable.


 Procedures for Reporting Guardian Excused Absences/Check-in and Check-out

  • Absences & Check In’s must be excused by a parent/guardian within five school days by calling the attendance office at 801-567-8550 or for Spanish call 801-567-8536 between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Participation points will only be granted if you call before 3:00 pm on the day of absence or check-in/check-out..
  • Exemptions include:
    • Student activity release (school-related activity, sports activity, field trip).
    • Excused vacation release (prior to vacation, a form must be obtained from the attendance office, signed by teachers, and returned to the attendance office).
    • Home and Hospital

Policy Enforcement

Teachers and school administration will monitor participation and attendance closely. Students and parents are encouraged to review their participation and attendance regularly through Skyward to ensure all records are accurate and promptly address any discrepancies.

Regular attendance and participation is essential for student success at Herriman High School. This policy promotes accountability and encourages full participation in academic activities. 

Please contact the school administration office for any questions or further clarification regarding the attendance policy.