Handbook

Communication and consistency are critical toward an individual’s success not only in the academic environment but also throughout their life. The Attendance Policy at Freedom High School is designed to encourage these traits through our advisement system, which empowers the student and requires that they take responsibility and control of the process of obtaining a high school diploma.

Attendance Expectations

• Students will attend the classes for which they are enrolled; in the event that this is not possible due to illness or extenuating circumstances, a parent or guardian must call the school at 884-6012.
• Freedom High students, as part of APS, are allowed no more than 5 unexcused absences per semester, and no more than 10 unexcused absences per school year. A restorative conversation will be conducted to ascertain the reason for the absences.
• Absence phone calls will be made at the 3rd absence, a staffing with parents/guardians will be held after the 5th unexcused absence.
• All absence notes and documentation are to be turned in to the attendance clerk when the student returns to school. Students also report to their advisor and teachers when they return to get make-up work and continue with their education.
• All students are expected to attend ACE/AVID on time.
• ACE/AVIDis a credit course required for all students and it is only through attendance and meeting the standards for this course that a student can earn work or volunteer credit.
• Students must attend their six (6) week Student Led Conference unless the advisor has been notified prior to the appointment for alternative arrangements. If a student fails to show up to their appointment without other arrangements, the student and parent/guardian will meet with the Principal/Dean/Counselor/Social Worker in order to complete the requirement.
• Excessive unexcused absences in ACE/AVID will result in a Parent meeting and Attendance Contract.

Tardy

If a student misses 50% or more of a class, he/she will be marked absent. Student may be expected to make up the missed time through after school detention. Excessive tardiness may result in disciplinary action, beginning with a restorative conversation and following interventions as outlined under “Disruption of the Educational Process/Defiance of Authority/General Disruptive Behavior”.

Unexcused Absences

An absence is considered unexcused when one or more of the following occurs:

• The student’s parent does not call in the absence to the attendance line or otherwise communicate the attendance clerk the reason for the absence. If the student is 18 and living on their own, the student is required to communicate with the attendance clerk regarding their own absences.
• The absence is not excused within 3 days of the absence. (It is best to call on the morning of the absence.)
• The student misrepresents or falsifies the reason for an absence.
• Family vacations are considered unexcused absences, and it is expected that parents will schedule vacations during periods of time when school is not in session.

Excused Absences

According to the APS student handbook absences may be excused for the following reasons, with appropriate documentation:

• Medical, health or legal appointment
• Interscholastic or extracurricular activities
• Religious commitment
• Death in the family
• Deployment of a military parent
• Illness (including chronic illness documented on a health plan, IEP or 504)
• Limited family emergency
• Diagnostic testing
• College visit
• Suspensions
• Suspensions
• Tribal obligations

For an absence to be excused the student must ensure the following procedures have taken place:

• If the student is living at home with a parent or guardian that individual must call the attendance line. Communication concerning the absence must be accomplished at the earliest time possible such as early in the morning.
• A parent may send a signed excuse note with the student who will be required to take it to the attendance clerk within 3 days of the absence.
• Excessive excused absences may result in further inquiry from the principal or advisor and a request for further documentation.
• Students who are signed out before the end of the instructional day must have written documentation of the reason (as defined under excused absences) or be subject to the same consequences as tardy.
• It is key to student success that families and the Freedom High School staff maintain frequent and ongoing communication. All absences must be communicated to the attendance office. If the student accrues a large number of excused absences the advisor, parents, and staff will meet to develop an attendance plan to identify student support and solutions as needed.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

• Students who possess a personal electronic device are solely responsible for its care. The school/district is not responsible for damage, loss or theft.
• Personal electronic devices include but are not limited to cell phones, smart watches, laptops and tablets.
• Student possession of personal electronic devices on school campuses, busses or school activities is permitted.
• Student electronic devices shall be kept powered off and out of sight during the school day, during any school-sponsored activity and during practices held on APS property.
• Students may use devices before and after school as determined by the school administration. High School students may use devices during lunch as determined by the school administration.
• Students may have devices on in the following circumstances with permission of school administration
  • Special medical circumstances for student of family member
  • Using the device for an educational or instructional purpose with the teacher’s permission
• Students shall not use personal devices on school property during the school day to access and/or view Internet websites that are otherwise blocked at school. Blocked sites may include, but are not limited to social networking sites.
• Student’s use of personal electronic devices that disrupts the instructional day may result in disciplinary action and/or confiscation of the personal device. When a personal device is confiscated, it shall only be released and/or returned to the student’s parent/legal guardian. It is the student’s parent/legal guardian’s responsibility to retrieve the device according to school procedures. Repeated disruptive use of a personal electronic device will result in restorative conversation, mediation, and/or a student contract.
• Students using personal devices at appropriate times should follow common courtesies such as not taking photographs of others or posting photographs of others 16 on social media without their permission and putting phones away when speaking to others.

The expectation is that students will dress for success. Attire that distracts from the educational process will not be permitted:

• Obscene or violent language or images
• Depictions of alcohol or drugs or other illegal item or activity
• Racist content, hate speech, profanity or pornography
• Accessories that could be considered dangerous or used as a weapon

Students who violate the dress code will be asked to change, have the item confiscated and returned only to a parent/guardian, or will be sent home for the day. Repeated offenses indicate Defiance of Authority and will be addressed accordingly.

Students who park a motorized vehicle on Freedom campus must have a parking permit. Cost for parking permits will be $10.00 for the year. Seniors graduating during the first semester will be able to purchase a prorated pass for $5.00. Students must provide their drivers’ license, proof of insurance and car registration in order to purchase a permit. The parking permit must be clearly displayed on the rearview mirror. Vehicles without a permit may be towed at the owner’s expense. All drivers will be expected to sign an agreement that parking lot rules will be followed. Failure to abide by the rules will result in loss of parking privileges.

• Permits are not transferable.
• Parking in the neighborhood is prohibited and cars may be towed at the owner’s expense.