FWE Policies

Attendance

Students are expected to attend class regularly and to be on time in order to benefit the most from the instructional program. Any student who is absent will be expected to make up all work missed. Grades will be recorded when appropriate. It is the responsibility of the student and his/her parent to arrange for the makeup work with each teacher involved after the student’s return to class. It is the teacher’s responsibility to provide and accept assignments within a time frame prescribed by the principal, not to exceed two weeks.


In compliance with Florida School Laws, The School Board of Highlands County recognizes excused absences as those resulting from:


  1. Personal illness of the pupil (medical evidence may be required by the principal);

  2. Court appearance of the pupil (summons required);

  3. Medical appointment of the pupil (a medical statement may be required);

  4. Religious holiday;

  5. Death in the immediate family;

  6. Approved school activity (absences recorded but not reported);

  7. Attendance at a center under Health and Rehabilitative Service supervision;

  8. Insurmountable problems (permission by principal may be required).

Written notice stating the reason for the student’s absence must be presented to school personnel. Absences not documented in writing by the parent/guardian and not included in the excuses listed above shall be UNEXCUSED. If a student is continuously sick and repeatedly absent from school, the student must be under the supervision of a physician in order to receive an excuse from attendance.


Pre-Arranged Absence Policy:

The purpose of a pre-arranged absence is to allow absences for reasons normally unexcused. Pre-arranged absence forms (MIS 01.12) are available in the school office and one should be submitted as far in advance as possible, but not less than three days prior to the requested date. Students must present a signed pre-arranged absence form to the principal or designee. During the initial review, an administrator/designee will consider the student’s attendance, grades, and discipline. Upon initial review, the form will be returned to the student to obtain teachers’ signatures, and comments/assignments (secondary schools only). Once teachers’ signatures are obtained, it will be resubmitted to the administrator/designee for final approval or disapproval. Students are responsible for turning in assigned work within reasonable amount of time. No pre-arranged absences will be granted during FSA/high-stakes testing.

Civility Policy

Members of the Highlands County School district staff will treat parents and other members of the public with respect and expect the same in return. The district must keep schools and administrative offices free from disruptions and prevent unauthorized persons from entering school/district grounds. Accordingly, this policy promotes mutual respect, civility, and orderly conduct among district employees, parents, students and the public. We do not intend this policy to deprive any person of his or her right to freedom of expression. Rather, we seek to maintain, to the extent possible and reasonable, a safe, harassment-free workplace for our students and staff. In the interest of presenting teachers and other employees as positive role models, we encourage positive communication and discourage volatile, hostile, or aggressive actions. This district seeks public cooperation with this endeavor.

DISRUPTIVE INDIVIDUAL MUST LEAVE SCHOOL GROUNDS.

Any individual who disrupts or threatens to disrupt school/office operations, threatens the health and safety of students or staff, willfully causes property damage, uses loud and/or offensive language that could provoke a violent reaction, or who has otherwise established a continued pattern of unauthorized entry on school district property, will be directed to leave school or school district property promptly by the school’s principal, his/her designee or other chief administrative officer.

DIRECTIONS TO STAFF IN DEALING WITH ABUSIVE INDIVIDUAL.

If any member of the public uses obscenities or speaks in a demanding, loud, insulting and/or demeaning manner, the administrator or employee to whom the remarks are directed will calmly and politely warn the speaker to communicate civilly.

If the abusive individual does not stop the behavior, the district employee will verbally notify the abusing individual that the meeting, conference, or telephone conversation is terminated; and, if the meeting or conference is on district premises, the employee shall direct the abusive individual to leave promptly.

PROVIDE POLICY AND REPORT INCIDENT.

Parents shall be provided a copy of this policy via the Code of Student Conduct. Other members of the public shall receive a written copy of this policy when a staff member determines that the provisions of this policy are being violated. The staff member will then immediately notify his/her supervisor and provide a written report of the incident. (MIS 01.11) If necessary, the School Resource Officer or other local law enforcement shall be notified of the incident.