Attendance Procedures

The school day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. and the front office is open from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. during the school year.

Attendance Procedures

All Day Absence

Parents and Guardians should call the attendance office (317-594-4195) by 9:00 AM.

Arriving Late

Students arriving late to school must sign in at the attendance office. If the student is late for an excusable reason listed in the student handbook, a medical note or call from a parent is required to excuse the late arrival.

Leaving Early (AppT.)

Parent/Guardian must call the attendance office at 317-594-4195. Please allow a minimum of 2 hours notice to process your request.

Leaving Early (Illness)

Students feeling unwell should visit the clinic. If the student needs to leave early, parents/guardians will be notified. The attendance office is unable to process immediate dismissals for illness.

Attendance Philosophy

Our primary responsibility at Hamilton Southeastern High School is to ensure learning for each student, but that core purpose becomes more difficult when students are not in attendance. Student success in coursework requires consistent in-person attendance to engage with learning materials, teachers, and classmates. Recurring absences place undue stress on students, families, and HHS teachers. Recognizing the relationship between attendance and high academic achievement, HHS places high expectations and accountability on student attendance. It is essential that Royal students and their families take responsibility for knowing and following attendance expectations.

Absences and Important Policies

Limit On Absences

Student absences should not exceed 10 days per year.

A student may not be absent from school for more than ten (10) days per school year. Both excused and unexcused absences count toward this maximum of ten days. After the fifth absence in a single class period, the school will notify and, if necessary, hold a conference with the student and parent/guardian. Continuation of school attendance after the tenth absence may be subject to the student complying with conditions (e.g. a doctor’s note may be required) regarding any additional absences.

Extended Absences

Pre-arranged family vacations cannot occur during final exams, and they cannot occur in excess of ten (10) consecutive school days. Students who violate this provision may be subject to the following actions in accordance with the HHS Student Handbook and Indiana law: (i) the school may exit the student as an out-of-state transfer, and the parent/guardian shall be responsible for enrolling the student where they are located and re-enrolling the student upon their return; (ii) at the election of the parent/guardian, the student may be exited as a transfer to Homeschooling; (iii) upon approval of the school, the extended absence may be excused if the trip for educational purposes; or (iv) the extended absence may be reported as unexcused absences.

Progressive Discipline for Excessive Absences

Hamilton Southeastern High School places high expectations and accountability on student attendance. As such, progressive disciplinary measures may be taken for excessive absences and/or unexcused / unverified absences. Consequences may include but are not limited to:

After-school detentions and/or in-school suspensions
Loss of driving privileges or revocation of driver’s license / permit
Temporary prohibition on extracurricular activity participation, including attendance at school dances or other activities
Referral to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office for truancy

Excused Absences

The parent/guardian notifies the school by calling the Attendance Line at 317-594-4195. These absences accumulate toward the limit of 10 absences per year.

Illness (medical documentation may be required)
Medical appointments, which cannot be scheduled outside of the school day (documentation may be required)
Family emergency, or professional appointments
College visit
Non-school competitions or performances
Pre-arranged family absences (these cannot occur during final exams, and cannot occur in excess of 10 consecutive school days)
Funeral attendance
Court ordered appearances or driver's license examination

Unexcused Absences

These are absences from school without verification from a parent/guardian OR a notification of an absence for an unapproved reason (see below). These contribute towards the 10 absence limit per year. Progressive discipline will ensue.

Oversleeping and/or missing the bus
Skipping class
Missing class to study, work on homework, prepare for a test, or any other schoolwork
Working at a business (exceptions for school-sanctioned internships or work-release programs)
Non-prearranged family absences
Any absence in which a student and/or a parent does not comply with the HHS reporting attendance procedures
Any absence which, despite parent/guardian contact, exceeds the limit of absences (8 per semester) and is not accompanied by medical documentation
Other non school-authorized excuses
Car trouble/traffic

Early Dismissal Passes

To ensure adequate processing time, all early dismissal requests must be received at least two hours in advance. For any student who has had a parent/guardian enter an absence via Skyward (or phone call) for an early dismissal, the student will receive an Early Dismissal Pass electronically via their school email. Students will not be permitted to leave class before receiving this email from the attendance office.

Recurring Off-Campus Opportunities

SENIOR FLEX

Students who qualify for the Senior Flex schedule can stay on school grounds in approved spaces during flex time or they can choose to leave campus. Students leaving campus must check in and out according to established procedures. Students may have flex privileges suspended or revoked if they don’t maintain good attendance in classes.

PATHWAYS PERIOD

Attendance during Pathways is required for all 9th and 10th graders. Pathways attendance is also required for any 11th or 12th grader who has been requested by a teacher. Absences will be considered unexcused unless indicated through normal attendance procedures. Attendance is required on scheduled mandatory grade level Pathways periods.