Attendance

Daily attendance in school is necessary to the academic success of all students. Research has shown that children with a steady, regular attendance record achieve higher academic success and perform better both academically and socially than their peers with poor or irregular attendance. Although some absences are unavoidable, when students miss school, they miss the academic instruction given and the ensuing class discussion and experience. We encourage parents to take advantage of our early release Fridays to make doctor or dentist appointments then. If it is necessary for your child(ren) to be absent from school, call the school office before 9:00 a.m. on each day of the absence.  For each day of absence the student will have one day to make up missed work; for absences of three days or longer, homework will be available for pick up in the office at the end of the third school day.  Arrangements to collect missed assignments due to extended absences should be directed to your child's teacher.  Excessive absences (see handbook) may result in referral to the school office and/or the Town of Gilbert truancy office.  Any absences without parent notification are considered unexcused absences.  Consecutive absences of 10 days will result in automatic withdrawal from Gilbert Arts Academy.

Tardiness

We encourage parents to make every effort to get their child(ren) to school on time each day.  Class starts at 8:15 a.m. and students are expected to line up at their classroom door at 8:10 a.m. ready and prepared for the school day ahead. Punctuality is a character trait strongly valued in our society and Gilbert Arts Academy seeks to work with parents to instill this from an early age in our students. Students who arrive at school after this time must first report to the school office to be signed in by a parents and pick up a tardy slip which will allow entrance into their classroom. Students who arrive at the classroom without a Tardy Pass will be sent to the office to get one.  Excessive tardies will be referred to the school office, and a meeting between the parent(s) and the school leader will be scheduled.  Continued tardiness may be referred to the Town of Gilbert truancy office.
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