Attendance – American Fork High School

AFHS ATTENDANCE

Pam Stufflebeam- Attendance Secretary
pstufflebeam@ alpinedistrict.org
801.610.8802

Office Hours
Monday – Friday : 7:30-2:30pm

To excuse absences, call or send an email within
two weeks of the absence.

AFHS Attendance

Students achieve higher levels of learning and success when they have a regular pattern of attendance at school. Student attendance is better when students, parents, teachers, and school staff are in the loop. When early attention is given to an attendance problem, students have the chance to fix patterns that will affect their connection with the curriculum and the teacher.

Six Absence Limit

AFHS students have a six absence limit per term for each class. Data shows that after six, it’s hard to fix, so if a student has more than six absences, they may not get the grade they want or may be unable to fully remediate missed assignments. After a pattern of six absences, an admin will meet with the student and discuss options, including dropping classes. Unexcused absences, truancies, or excused absences without a pre-approval form or a doctor’s note count toward the six. Other interventions include a parent meeting, truancy course, restricted hall/parking pass, limited activity participation, tracking, and mandated flex attendance.

Skyward Parent Excusal Procedures

Skyward Online Excusal

Parents can now excuse student absences online via Skyward. Please note that this is not for tardies, truancies, or check-outs. Attached are step by step directions as well as a link to an online tutorial. If you have any questions or need to be reminded of your Skyward login, please stop by or call the front office.

Excused/Unexcused Attendance

Excused Absences and Tardies

Parents may excuse a student’s absence by calling the attendance office or through Skyward using the Absence Request link. Absences should be excused within 10 school days (two weeks). If an unexcused absence remains after two weeks, parents will need to excuse it through the Skyward online excusal portal. (See instructions/tutorial below) A tardy is defined as when a student is late to class within the first 20 minutes of class time. After a student is 20 minutes late, the student is marked absent. While excused absences let the school know that a parent is aware of an absence, the best approach is to pre-approve absences (see below), so that parent, student, and teacher all know when and what a student will miss.

Unexcused Absences and Truancies

All absences that are not excused are listed as unexcused absences. A truancy is a confirmed absence from school or class without prior parent approval and is determined by the school’s administration. Confirmed truancies cannot be excused by a parent. Additionally, students who leave class early without being properly checked-out by a parent or guardian will be considered truant. Students who misuse hall passes or are found without a hall pass during class time may be given a truancy.

Pre-Approved Absences

Pre-approved Requests

Pre-approved absences do not count towards the six absence limit. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain pre-absence approval for missed classes. Arranging absence make-up before they happen shows responsibility and dependability. This includes a short form to be filled out after discussions with each of the student’s teachers. These forms are located in the attendance office or on the school website and should be filled out and turned in at least one week prior to the absence/s. Pre-approved absences do affect perfect attendance recognition. School administration can determine that absences are pre-approved without the form in the case of family emergencies.