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
- hrh-attendance@wrdsb.ca
- Please include the student’s name in the subject line
- In the Details area for the message add:
Student’s name
Date(s) of the absence
Reason for their absence
Time or period the student will be absent (with return date)
- Send a note with the student to be handed into the main office including the same information as above
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 email 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 up to 15 days the following form is required:
FS-26-TW-Temp-Withdrawal-Form.fillable-2
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. 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.