Attendance, Tardiness, and Dress Code

Attendance

Daily attendance and punctuality are essential for success at school and are expected of all students. A daily school schedule and a yearly event calendar are published annually for students to follow

Concerning Absences

• All students are expected to be in class or in the library during the entire class day, unless they have verifiable faculty permission to be out of class.
• All class and day absences are recorded on student records. When a student returns to school from an absence, s/he must bring a note signed by a parent or guardian stating the specific reason(s) for the absence. This note is required for school records. Students without an excuse on the day of return are considered unexcused.
• The final decision as to whether an absence is excused or unexcused is made by the school administration.
• Student illness is one reasonable cause for excused absence, and must be validated at the time of return by a note from a doctor. Generally, students have to make up missed work following the accepted assessment policy.
• Students may need to be absent from school for compassionate reasons. If this is necessary the student should get administrative permission.
• After an excused absence, students are responsible to make up any work missed within a reasonable time limit agreed upon by student and teacher.
• When an absence of any sort is anticipated, students are required to get written permission from the Deputy for Academic Affairs.
• Any absence considered unexcused carries the penalty normally assigned by the National Assessment Policy.
• From time to time student absence is due to the disciplinary action of suspension. In cases of absence due to suspension, students receive marks as per the NAP
• Any absence has a negative effect on the benefits which a student derives from a class and may have a negative effect on the student’s course grade.

Concerning Tardiness

• Tardiness is not being present for class when class begins, and students face in-class and out-of-class consequences for this behavior.
• The purpose of policies regarding tardiness is to teach responsibility
• All tardies are recorded on permanent records and may be a consideration when applying for university admission or future employment.
• If a teacher keeps a student from getting to the next class on time, the student is not counted tardy, but the teacher detaining the student must write a note of explanation.

Dress Code

The dress code at HLIS is founded on the belief that appearance has an impact on attitude and behavior. It also teaches safety, modesty, cleanliness, and respect. Student should at all times avoid sloppiness, disrespect, uncleanliness, or immodesty. Their dress should reflect a positive attitude about self and school. These few guidelines apply:

1. Wear only clean clothes and footwear;
2. No hats are allowed in the classroom;
3. Tailored shirts should be tucked in to pants;
4. Fasten buttoned shirts;
5. Avoid T-shirts with inappropriate printed messages;
6. Avoid coats and track suits unless it is very cold;
7. Wear uniforms Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays as far as possible;
8. Wear more formal clothing for Sunday church.