Attendance Policy

Michigan law requires students age six to sixteen to attend school the entire school year (MCL 380.1561). Students are expected to attend school every day school is in session.
Students are to arrive before the start of the school day and stay until the scheduled end of their school day. If a student is unable to attend school, the student or parent/guardian must report that absence to the school’s attendance line.

Novi High School 24-hour Attendance Line: 248-449-1501

To Report an Absence Press 1
To Request an Early Release Press 2
To Report a Late Arrival Press 3

Please make sure to state a reason for the absence and spell your student's name clearly.

Students/Parents/Guardians are expected to:

Sign out of school at the office if leaving school during the school day. (K-8 students must be signed out by a parent/guardian prior to leaving the building.)
Make alternative class work arrangements with their teacher/building administrator. Make up work that is assigned for the instructional time that has been missed.

For more information, see Policy 5301.

Types of Absences

If a student arrives late, the parent/guardian or student must sign in at the office.
Absences are recorded as follows:

Unverified Absences: Any absence in which a parent has NOT called or provided a note within 24 hours of the absence. An automated phone call is made to the parent/guardian after every unverified absence.

Verified Absences: Parent or legal guardian has called the attendance office or provided a note within 24 hours verifying the student was not at school with parental acknowledgement.

Documented Absences: A documented absence will not count against the total number of student absences. To ensure accurate attendance records, it is necessary for all related documentation to be turned in upon the student’s return to school. Documented absences will not be accepted after two (2) school days following the absence. The following are considered documented absences:

Hospitalization/medical leave or a doctor’s appointment
Religious obligations
Mandatory court appearance
Funeral
College planning

The school may require documentation explaining the reason for the student’s absence.
A student will be provided the same number of days as he or she was absent to submit the make-up work. The student is responsible for obtaining assignments from his or her teachers. A student with verified absences will receive credit for completed work.

Planned Absences:
Parents who know in advance that a student will be absent must contact the school at the earliest possible date. Students who will be absent for reasons that can be anticipated, such as routine medical appointments and school activities, must complete any work required by the teacher. Parents should make every attempt to schedule medical and other appointments outside of school hours.

Planned Absences over 10 days must be coordinated with the school. Students should pick up an Extended Travel Form from the Taft Rd. Attendance Office secretary in advance of their absence. This form will assist students in communicating their upcoming absence to their teachers. The student will be provided an appropriate amount of time verified by the teacher to submit missed work. The student is responsible for obtaining missed assignments from their teachers.

Absences Due to Illness:

The school will contact parents/guardians if a student becomes ill at school and may ask that the parent pick up the student. Every attempt should be made to pick up the student in a timely manner.

High School Attendance Procedures

Please call the Attendance Office at 248-449-1501. Be sure to spell your student’s name when leaving a message.
With early departure, please call in advance with enough time for the Attendance Office to get students out to you in a timely manner.
Students should pick up their pass from the Attendance Office during passing time of the class they are being dismissed from.
The student will come to the Attendance Office, sign out, receive their pass, and leave the building.
Students will then meet you outside near the entrance off of Taft Road for pick up. PARENTS/GUARDIANS DO NOT NEED TO ENTER THE BUILDING. Please park in the lot and watch for your student to exit the building.
Students may only enter through the main Taft or 10-Mile entrance when arriving late. They should check in with office staff, hand in any documentation (if applicable), sign in and make a pass to go to class. Parents/guardians need to call in or provide documentation for a late arrival to be considered a documented or verified absence. If there is no correspondence, the late arrival will be documented as unexcused.
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to monitor student attendance via PowerSchool
Unverified absences during the school day will result in an Administrative Referral and a subsequent after school detention.

Tardies

Students who are less than 20 minutes late to any class are considered tardy. Students who miss 20 minutes or more of a class are marked absent. A student who violates attendance expectations may be subject to discipline and any other applicable responses.

Tardy documentation begins after teachers have entered their classroom and shut the door.
Tardies (periods 2-6)
- 1st-3rd Offense: Conversation with classroom teacher
- 4th Offense: Teacher will complete an Administrative Referral Form; Administration will meet with the student and call home
- 5th Offense: Administration will call home and assign a lunch detention
- 6th Offense: Administration will call home and assign a lunch detention with reflection paperwork that must be completed
- 7th Offense +: Administrative Discretion (ex. Multiple lunch detentions, after school detention, ISS, parent meeting, etc.)
Administration will handle all communication/discipline related to 1st period tardies

Homebound/Hospitalized Services

Homebound and hospitalized services are designed to provide continuity of educational services for students with medical conditions that prevent them from physically attending school for a period of time during a school year. Parents are responsible for notifying the school district when the student is going to be homebound or hospitalized for a period longer than five (5) school days. Parents should contact their child’s counselor for additional information and paperwork should they believe their child may qualify for services.