Students are expected to attend all assigned classes. A parent/guardian will need to approve all absences for students under the age of 18.
When possible, please book appointments (i.e dentist, doctor) outside of school hours.

Do you need to report an absence? You can reach out to let us know using any of the means listed below:

In-person Learning

  1. Telephone
    • Call 519 896–2631 and press 1
    • Provide student’s first and last name, reason and your relation to the student.
    • The Attendance line is available 24/7
  2.  E-mail
    • hrh-attendance@wrdsb.ca
    • Please include the student’s name in the subject line
    • In the Details area for the message add the date and reason for the absence.
  3. Note
    • Send a note with the student to be handed into the main office

Adult Students

Under the Age of Majority and Education Acts, adult status means any person who attains 18 years of age.

When students turn 18, information about their academic progress, attendance, and access to their records can no longer be provided to their parents/guardians without the student’s written permission. If adult students wish to authorize school staff to continue sharing their information with their parents/guardians, they have the option of completing the Consent for Information Sharing – Adult Students form and returning it to the school office. Adult students also have the right to change these permissions/contacts at any time by submitting a new form with the amended information.

Excused Absences

Students who need to be excused during the school day must sign out at the main office before 8:15 AM. A note or a phone call from a parent/guardian must accompany this request. If a student returns to school the same day after signing out, the student must sign in at the main office.

Extended Absences

Absences due to illness may require medical verification.

If parent/guardian approves withdrawing their student for 6 days or more days, one of the following forms are required

FS-23-TW – 6-15 day Temp Withdrawal Form

FS-23-PS – Program of Study Form-16 days or more

The school is not responsible for providing alternative programming.

Consequences of Absences

An unapproved absence for any assigned class will generate an automated phone call from the school.  (temporarily out of service)   Absences have an impact on student learning and achievement.  Please use one of the methods listed above to approve the absence.  Unexplained absences may result in parent meetings, referral to the attendance counsellor, suspensions and removal from class or school if the student is 18 years of age or older.

Punctuality

Punctuality is critical to school success.  When late for class, students miss important information which affects performance in that class.  Also, being late seriously disrupts the learning environment for other students.  If a student arrives after the bell signaling the beginning of class, the student will be marked late.

Work Missed due to an absence

It is the student’s responsibility to complete work missed during an absence.  Parent/guardian may arrange for work to be sent home in the case of an extended illness.