VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE

VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE

ag5200AAdopted October 19, 2020

5200D - VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE

The Indiana Department of Education deems that compulsory attendance requirements bound any student at least seven (7) years of age and less than eighteen (18). Students of New Albany-Floyd County Schools attend one hundred eighty (180) instructional days per calendar year, whether on-site or virtual. The Indiana Department of Education's guidance is that schools are obligated to provide students in the first (1st) through sixth (6th) grade with at least five (5) hours of daily instruction and grades seventh (7th) through twelfth (12th) at least six (6) hours of daily instruction. This time includes academically engaged time and non-academically engaged time such as transitions. The virtual learning instruction experience will reflect on-site learning with the same rigor and relevant learning experiences through curriculum and resources aligned to Indiana Academic Standards.

The New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation requires that all students enrolled (including K) attend each day the school is in session. Each day of school is part of a sequential learning process; therefore missing even one (1) day without good cause should be avoided. Our schools are committed to recognizing and celebrating students and classrooms with exemplary attendance.

Virtual students enrolled in New Albany-Floyd County Schools can choose Digital Synchronous Learning (DSL) that is online and happens in real time, or Digital Asynchronous Learning (DAL) which occurs through online channels without real time interaction. We ask parents to choose the best options for their family and be prepared to stay with this option for the long term. Students will have their attendance monitored daily by the teacher and documented in PowerSchool (Student Information System (SIS).

For the Digital Synchronous Learners (DSL), the virtual instructor will monitor the student's attendance during all direct instruction times throughout the day. Students will be counted absent in PowerSchool (SIS) if they are not present during direct instruction. 

For the Digital Asynchronous Learners (DAL), the virtual instructor will monitor the student's attendance by the progress made towards the learning outcomes, the quality of work, and that the work is completed each day within twenty four (24) hours or upon agreement between the parent and the teacher. Asynchronous students and their parents must meet with the teacher and principal/or designee to communicate their reasons for choosing this option and to design a learning plan to set the expectations for attendance, classwork, and grades.

Digital Synchronous Learning (DSL) Attendance: Student's attendance will be monitored by the teacher and documented in PowerSchool (SIS) 

Grades K-4:

  • If students are in attendance for direct instruction in two (2) or three (3) Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing) then they are considered present.
  • If students are in attendance for direct instruction in one (1) Core Subject then they are considered present one half (1/2) day.
  • If students do not attend any direct instruction then they are considered absent.

Grades 5-12:

  • If students are in attendance in four (4) (or more) of seven (7) sections (classes) then they are considered present.
  • If students are in attendance in fewer than four (4) classes then they are considered present one half (1/2) day.
  • If students are not present in any of their classes they are considered absent.

Digital Asynchronous Learning (DAL) Attendance: Student's attendance will be monitored by the teacher and documented in PowerSchool. The quality of work, progress made towards learning outcomes, and work completion within twenty four (24) hours or upon agreement between the parent and the teacher will determine a student's attendance and grades. 

Grades K-4:

  • If students complete the assigned work for two (2) or three (3) Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing) then they are considered present.
  • If students complete the work for one (1) Core Subject then they are considered present one half (1/2) day.
  • If students do not complete any work then they are considered absent. 

Grades 5-6:

  • If students complete the assigned work for two (2) of the three (3) core subjects (Math, English/Language Arts, and Science/Social Studies) then they are considered present. 
  • If students complete the work for one (1) core subject then they are considered present one half (1/2) day.
  • If students do not complete any work then they are considered absent. 

Grades 7-12:

  • If students complete coursework in four (4) (or more) of seven (7) classes then they are considered present.
  • If students complete work in less than four (4) classes then they are considered present one half (1/2) day. 
  • If students do not complete work they will be considered absent. 

Given that virtual instruction may occur synchronously and asynchronously, it is essential to capture virtual learning attendance accurately. Individual students who are unable to access the curriculum due to sickness or another related issue will need to follow the regular attendance policy and procedures that follow. 

Anytime a student misses any portion of the school day (early dismissal, tardy, appointments during the day) the student will be marked tardy for accurate record keeping. If the period of time exceeds one-half of the student day, the student will be marked half-day (1/2) absent. 

Quarantines for COVID 19 will be handled on an individual basis. 

Reporting Absences to School: Parents are required to notify the office of a student's absence. When reporting the absence please use the attendance line and provide your child's name, teacher, request for picking up home practice, and the reason for the absence. If a phone call or written note is not provided to the school the absence will remain unexcused. 

Physician, dental and counseling appointments should be scheduled after school hours whenever possible. If unavoidable, please notify the office and have the child attend classes both before and after the scheduled appointments. A physician's statement of diagnosis may be required at any point for an absence or extended absences. After ten (10) days of absence, a doctor's statement is required each time a student is absent for the remainder of the year. A statement from a licensed medical professional documenting an absence may allow an unexcused absence to be changed to an excused absence. 

Excused Absence-Definition: Absences for the following reasons will be considered as excused absences: 

  • Illness that involves fever of 100.4 or higher, vomiting, injuries, or situations when a physician recommends the students be absent from school. The reason is to be reported to the school office.
  • Death of an immediate family member.
  • Medical or dental appointments which cannot be scheduled outside the school day (a written doctor's statement is to be given to the school office)
  • Religious Holidays
  • Court ordered absences
  • Other unusual circumstances when approved by the principal and requested in advance of the event.
  • Travel for a limited time period involving new educational experiences for a student, which is requested on an infrequent basis by parents or guardian at least one week in advance of the proposed absence. Letters should be submitted to the school principal for approval. 

Unexcused Absence-Definition: Absences for the following reasons will be considered as unexcused absences: 

  • “Long weekends" and vacations without prior approval 
  • Moving days (change of residence) 
  • Transportation problems 
  • Medical or dental appointment without a doctor's written statement
  • Appointments for non-essential activities such as haircuts, shopping, etc.... 
  • Extended absences for head lice treatment 

Tardy to School-Definition: Students who arrive at school after (8:00 a.m. for elementary and high schools, and 9:00 a.m. for middle schools) are considered tardy. Those who arrive after the start of school are to report to the office to obtain a pass that will permit them into the classroom. The student's parent or guardian is to sign in at the office and indicate the reason the student is tardy. The tardy will be documented in the office. 

Excused tardies are those that are verified in writing by a medical professional, counselor, etc...or those that have been approved by the building principal due to extenuating circumstances. 

Early Dismissal-Definition: Requests to release children from school early creates a disruption to the learning environment. Excused early departures are those departures that are verified in writing by a medical professional, counselor, etc. or those departures approved by the building principals for extenuating circumstances. If early dismissal is unavoidable, please follow this procedure: 

  • Send a note to your child's teacher including the date, time, and reason for early dismissal.
  • Report to the office at the designated time. Your child will be called to the office when you arrive. 

Procedures for Dealing with Excessive Absences: 

  • At ten (10) total absences (excused or unexcused), legal contact regarding attendance status will be made via USPS letter. 

Unexcused absences: 

  • At seven (7) unexcused absences, verbal contact will be made via phone call or home visit and documented. 
  • At ten (10) unexcused absences, a referral will be submitted to the Department of Child Services per Indiana Code and will include the following documentation: evidence that the school has communicated attendance concerns to the parents, an academic impact statement including grades and performance concerns, and attendance records. 

Procedure for Dealing with Chronic Absenteeism: The State of Indiana defines chronic absenteeism as missing eighteen (18) days of school, regardless of being excused or unexcused. If a student reaches eighteen (18) days of absence, school personnel will work with the family to develop an attendance success plan. For students attending a New Albany-Floyd County School on an out of county transfer, this may result in a revoke of transfer. 

Anytime a student misses any portion of the school day (early dismissal, tardy, appointments during the day) the student will be marked tardy for accurate record keeping. If the period of time exceeds one-half (1/2) of the student day, the student will be marked half-day (1/2) absent.