The Board of Education believes there is a high correlation between attendance at school and academic achievement. Regular student attendance is essential for learning.  The Tulsa Public Schools educational program requires regular, on-time attendance to be effective.  Oklahoma law places the responsibility for school attendance on the parent/guardian as well as the student.  It is the responsibility of each student and his/her parent/guardian to keep track of absences. 

The new attendance policy is as follows:

 A student with more than nine absences in any semester may be subject to loss of credit for any course /grade in which the student is enrolled.  An absence for a class period occurs when a student misses more that fifteen minutes of a class or is unexcused for any portion of any class session.

 All absences (excused and unexcused) will be included in the calculation of the nine-day total.  A written explanation must be provided for each recorded absence within 48 hours after the student returns to school.  Based upon the explanation provided, the absence will be deemed either excused or unexcused by the principal.  Absences for which no written explanation is received will be deemed unexcused.  The only absences that are considered excused are court appearance, doctor’s appointment, illness or funeral.

 When a determination has been made that excessive absenteeism (18 or more days in a year) merits a retention, the principal will send a retention letter to the parents/guardians advising them that their child will be retained in the present grade level.  This will be reflected in the child’s cumulative record.  Parents/guardians may appeal a retention action.

 Prior to the end of each semester, the principal shall review absentee records and make determinations relative to eligibility for credit in courses in which a student has absences in excess of nine days.  If a student has excessive absences in a specific course, the student may receive credit in that course only if, in the judgment of the principal using objective means as may be appropriate, the student has mastered the coursework relevant to the specific student.

 We know that this seems like a drastic measure, but good attendance is an essential part of your child’s academic performance.  Please call Mrs. Yeoman in the attendance office at 833-9523, to report your child’s absence.  Also, please send a note explaining your child’s absence on the day your child returns to school.   Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.