Cocopah Middle School
Punctuality and Attendance Impact Learning!
Please make punctuality and attendance a FAMILY PRIORTITY! Since our students and their success are important to us, we will monitor tardiness and attendance very closely. However, arriving on time to school and attendance is the responsibility of the student and his/her family.
Please note the following:
-When a student is tardy to class, it is a disruption to instruction for all members of the class and the teacher.
-Excessive tardiness and absences have a detrimental effect on instruction and student performance.
- Cocopah Middle School recognizes extenuating circumstances for medically or psychologically challenged students.*
-Our school also recognized extenuating circumstances for bereavement needs and for pre-approved family vacations, providing the parents/legal guardians provide written notice to the Attendance Office (ereed@susd.org) in advance. In addition, parents/guardians need to communicate with all teachers regarding homework, etc. to be completed during the pre-approved absence.
-Did you know that there is really no such thing as an EXCUSED tardy? A tardy is a tardy. The attendance office will only use the code EXC if the student brings in a note from a medical professional for that morning. All other tardies will be coded UTY (unexcused tardy).
*At three (3) unexcused absences or twelve (12) excused absences students will be required to provide a written excuse from a medical professional.
Cocopah Middle School Tardy Policy (Attendance Office handles 1st Period tardiness, Teachers all other periods):
o 1st Tardy – Attendance office/teacher will counsel/warn student
o 2nd Tardy – Attendance office/teacher will call the parent.
o 3rd Tardy – Referral to Assistant Principal.
o 4th Tardy – Referral to the Assistant Principal. Parents will be notified that the student will attend Saturday School.
o 11th Tardy – Assistant Principal will initiate verbal contact with parent/legal guardian. After evaluation, student may be placed on a tardy contract.
o 15th Tardy = 1 day of truancy or unexcused absence. Assistant Principal will send a truancy notification letter to truant child and/or parents. Assistant Principals will review tardy issues and refer the case to the Student Resource Officer. Parents of students without extenuating circumstances will be contact by the Student Resource Officer and issued a citation as appropriate.
Cocopah Middle School Attendance Policy
3rd Unexcused absence or 12th Excused – The Attendance Office will send a letter to the parents/guardians. A written excuse from a medical professional will required.
4th Unexcused Absences or 15th Excused Absences – Assistant Principal will call the home and evaluate the educational welfare of the child and determine if an Attendance Contract is needed.
5th Unexcused Absences or 18 Excused Absences – Assistant Principal will send a truancy notification letter to parents/guardians. Parents may be contacted by the School Resource Officer and issued a citation.
Recommendations:
-Schedule doctor, orthodontist, and dentist appointments before or after school.
-Ensure your child gets plenty of rest and wakes up early enough to prepare for the day.
- Track tardy and attendance patterns at home and reward successes!
- Use and set alarm clocks so your child gets up on time and establishes daily morning routines.
- If there are extenuating circumstances, communicate with the Attendance Office and teachers immediately.
-Take time to sit down with your child, review the policies, offer support and discuss consequences both at school and at home.
-Review Attendance Regulations (Article C) in the SUSD Code of Conduct.
-Avoid running errands on the way to school and allow plenty of time early morning traffic.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Attendance Office at 480-484-4404. Have a great year!
