• It is the responsibility of students, with the support of their parents, to attend and be on time for all their classes. If a student is absent a parent should call or send a note as soon as possible. The parent or guardian needs to call the 24-hour attendance line 604-903-3707 as soon as possible and leave a detailed message on the voicemail.

• The message should state the following: student’s full name, grade level, specific dates and times absent, reason for absence, and name of the person calling.

• For an excused absence, (illness, medical appointments, safety issue, family emergencies, etc.) explaining the reason on the message is critical.

• Absences for other reasons (sleeping in, childminding, working, family function, vacation, working on schoolwork or studying for another class, transportation issues, etc.) should be called in to communicate an explanation for an absence that would not be considered excused. This new absence category is called “Explained Unexcused”. It is appreciated by the staff so we can account for student whereabouts even if the absence is not being excused.

• Absences not communicated to the school are considered unexcused.

• It is the student's responsibility to catch up on work missed due to absence for any reason.

• Parents who are concerned about attendance in a particular class should contact that teacher. 

• Parents who are concerned about their child's overall attendance should contact the grade counsellor.

• Students arriving late report to the office to obtain an excused late slip to get into class. If a student averages more than one late a week they will be asked to complete school service.

• All Unexcused absences (including “explained unexcused”) will result in an automated call back and/or email to the home.

Below is a chart explaining absence categories we use…