If a student is absent for an extended period of time, parents must notify the school office, give reason and approximate date of return. Parents are required to phone the office between 8:00 am and 9:00 am on the first day their child is absent giving the reason for the absence and expected lenght of absence. Parents who wish to take their child out of school for one week must inform the school office at least one week in advance. The teacher will be notified to prepare a list of assignments to be completed and brought back on the first day the child returns to school. The parents will be responsible for the materials returning in good condition. A student is marked absent according to the ruling of the State Department of Education which states: “Any student must be counted absent if he/she is not actually present for classes although the cause of the absence is beyond his/her control. A student’s being away from school for school activity is not included in the above statement.” Mercy school observes the following codes for absences:

• AE-Absence Excused by Parents
• AP-Absence Prearranged by Parents
• AI-Absent due to Illness
• UA-Unexcused Absence
• AS-Absent due to Suspension
• AT-Absence due to Tardiness

A student accumulating ten unexcused absences per semester will recieve a failing grade for that particular class(es). TARDINESS Mercy School observes the following codes of tardys:

• UT-Unexcused Tardy
• TE-Tardy Excused by Parents

After the student has been tardy three times, a conference must be arranged between the parent and the Principal before the student will be permitted to enter classes. Three unexcused tardies equals one unexcused absence. Repeated tardiness can lead to suspension from school. Roll will be taken at 8:30 am (M-Th) and at 8:05 (F). Students arriving after 8:40 am (M-Th) and after 8:05 (F) will be counted tardy. Students arriving after 10:30 am will be counted absent. ALL STUDENTS ENTERING CLASS, OTHER THAN APPOINTED TIME, MUST REPORT TO THE OFFICE FOR AN ADMIT TO CLASS SLIP. PARENTS MUST ACCOMPANY THE STUDENT TO THE OFFICE.