Catholic Central's Attendance Procedure page

Attendance Procedure

As we enter the 2022/23 school year here at Catholic Central High School, we thought it would be pertinent to notify you of some upcoming changes to a few of our operational procedures. In particular, there are revisions to our attendance procedures as well as our use of student personal devices (including cell phones). As many of you know, the past two-three years have thrown many challenges our way and, as a result, students, parents, teachers, and administrators alike have had to adjust our “normal” or “typical” way of approaching things like accountability to in-person learning (attendance) and responsible use of personal devices. Thus, after gathering data from students (in the OurSchool and Assurance Measure) and staff, ongoing conversations with the Holy Spirit School Division, and spending much time reviewing “current” procedures, these updated procedures/ documents, which you will find attached, were established.

Catholic Central staff is committed to providing students with a high caliber of learning but we have recognized that education has been impacted by the uncertainty we have faced over the last two-and-a-half school years. We believe that the quarter system has always intertwined rigor with relevance and relationships and, of course, grounded itself in regular/ daily attendance. In the data collected from our teacher and student surveys, we have concluded that a more robust school procedure needs to be embedded in our practices since learning best takes place in the classroom and not online. Regardless if absences are excused or not, instructional and assessment time is clearly missed. With a 'time missed is time owed' philosophy, this new procedure will assist students in maintaining their grades and comprehension while keeping up with the rigor of instruction. All stakeholders, teachers, parents, students, and administrators will play an active role in the student's education through the six-step attendance policy outlined in the attached document. Indeed, this will mean frequent conversations between the school (classroom teachers and/or administration with parent/ guardians and students). Parents/ guardians will need to recognize that communication to the classroom teacher of emergent and unavoidable absences will be key, in addition to avoiding non-emergent reasons for students to be absent for either short or long periods of time). We are confident that through the use of this new procedure, fewer attendance issues will arise, and students' grades will improve. At the heart of this procedure is the need to further strengthen the meaningful relationships that we build with our students. It is our hope as a school community that this will transpire if all stakeholders commit to adhering to the steps outlined to ensure students’ success.

In addition, you will find attached documents pertaining to student device use (including chromebooks, laptops, cell phones, and any other personal devices). While both Catholic Central and the Holy Spirit School Division believe that technology can be a powerful tool to enhance student learning, we want to ensure that these tools are utilized in a safe, responsible, and informed manner. It is important to note that students are encouraged to bring student-owned devices that support relevant and engaging instruction and learning, which does not interfere with the learning of others or the delivery of instruction. Thus, cell phones will not be recognized devices that support instruction and/or learning and will be treated as a distraction within the classroom. Adherence to the “Digital Citizenship & Acceptable Use Agreement” by every student and parent/ guardian within the Holy Spirit School Division will be expected and enforced.

DISTRICT

ELearning

Lethbridge Schools

Rural Schools

Catholic Central's Attendance Procedure page

Attendance Procedure

Attendance Procedure