Attendance
Absences
In order to gain the most from the school, each student must be in regular attendance. Absences are excused if the student is sick, if there is a death in the family, if the student has a doctor's appointment, if a pre-excused cut has been granted, or if there are other reasons considered appropriate by the administration. A note signed by the parent is to be sent the day the student returns to school stating the reason for the absence. If the student has seen a physician, please send a physician's note along with the parent's note. Parents are asked to be extremely conscientious in sending notes the day their child returns to class.
Pre-Excused Cuts
Special excused cuts for personal reasons are permitted with the principal's approval. These cuts should be requested by the parents in writing directly to the principal at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance. Failure to obtain prior permission could result in an unexcused absence. A maximum of five (5) school days per semester will be granted. Permission may be refused because of academic standing or extracurricular responsibilities and obligations. Parents are asked not to take their children out during special times (i.e., Missionary Conference, School Revival, nine-week or semester testing, Achievement Testing, or the CACS Fine Arts Competition).
Tardiness
Because promptness is an important Biblical principle, students will be expected to be at school on time. Excessive tardiness hinders the student's effectiveness and best interests.
Any student who is absent will not be able to participate in extra-curricular activities on that day (i.e., ball games, concerts, etc.) unless special permission is granted by the principal to participate due to extenuating circumstances. In order to be considered present, a student must have been in attendance for at least one half of the school day. For High School students, this would mean that the student must attend at least four class periods in order to be considered present.
Beginning with the third unexcused tardy in each class during a nine-week period, one point will be deducted from the overall average for every three occurrences. Any student who comes to school late must report to the school office. The tardy will be marked as unexcused unless the student has a note from the parent stating the reason for the tardy. The office will determine if it is excused and will give the student a pass to class.
Excused Absences
Emmanuel Christian Academy realizes that there are instances in which absence from school cannot be avoided. The following circumstances are considered to be acceptable reasons for absence:
- Personal illness
- Medical, dental, or optical appointments
- Death in the family
- Family emergencies
- Special trips (pre-excused by the Academy administration)
Unexcused Absences
Absences not listed above will be considered unexcused as well as absences in which no written note is received by the Academy office upon the student's return to school. A student will be allowed to make up work missed due to an unexcused absence; however, only half credit will be given for that work, and one point will be deducted from the final average of each class missed.
Excessive Absences
If a student is absent for ten (10) days during the semester, Emmanuel Christian Academy reserves the right to give the student an automatic failing grade for the semester. In the high school, this could result in a loss of credit for any course in which the student has accumulated more than ten (10) absences per semester. If the number of days absent exceeds ten (10) days, all futures sick days must have medical documentation. Failure to present proper medical documentation for absences over ten (10) days will result in a loss of credit. Summer school arrangements may be made in order to secure credit.
Make-up Work
All work, including tests, missed due to an excused absence must be made up according to the number of days absent. Each student is given the number of days he is absent plus one extra day to make up for his work (i.e., Student A misses four days; he has five days to complete his work). If work is not made up in the time allotted, zeros will be given for each incomplete assignment.
Ilnesses During the School Day
Please do not send students to school who during the previous night have experienced a fever, sore throat, diarrhea, or vomiting. Please give them time to recover. If a child becomes ill during the school day, the parent will be notified. Sickness at school is generally determined if the child is running a fever or vomiting.
Leaving School
All parents coming during class time to pick up students for dental appointments, medical appointments, or other excused absences must report to the office and not to the student's classroom. If a student must leave school early, a written note from the parent stating the reason is to be brought to the school office before classes begin in the morning. A Cut Slip will be given to the student to show the teacher when it is time to leave. The parent is to come to the school office and ask for the student. The office personnel will call the student, and the parent must sign the official checkout register before the student may be dismissed. High school students who drive may sign themselves out. Medical and dental appointments should be scheduled after school when possible.
Students are to be in classes scheduled for them at all times unless ill or excused by the office. Only the principal can grant permission for the student to leave the campus. Teachers are not allowed to grant such permission.
All students leaving the school grounds before afternoon dismissal must sign out in the school office or be picked up in the Academy office by a parent or guardian.
Chapel
Every student of Emmanuel Christian Academy is required to attend chapel. Each student must bring his Bible (and songbook, for high school students) to chapel in order to be prepared for chapel. Special dress code considerations for chapel days are delineated in the Academy dress code.
Missing Physical Education
Students who are unable to participate in PE must have a doctor's excuse.
