Registration and Attendance Policy

**Registration and Attendance Policy**

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to promote the registration of children in Cambridge Bay who are required to be registered as per the Education Act and to promote attendance by all students and staff. This policy has been developed with the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit including Tunnganarniq (fostering good spirit by being open, welcoming and inclusive), Pijiitsirniq (serving and providing for family or community) and Aajiiqatigiinniq (decision making through discussion and consensus).

## RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2. To be registered in school as per the Education Act Sections 2.2, 2.3 and 30.
3. To access counselling to assist with attendance issues.
4. A student who is under suspension or who has been expelled from school is not entitled to access.
2. To participate actively, and with their best efforts, in learning activities.
3. To voice concerns to school staff and/or the IDEA members.
4. To follow the rules of the school.
5. To cooperate with other students and school staff.
6. To take responsibility for their own behaviour and actions.
7. To contribute to and support healthy relationships and community values in the school.
8. To help maintain a welcoming, positive and safe school environment.
 PARENTS
2. To have their child registered in school as per the Education Act Sections 2.2, 2.3 and 30.
3. To observe the student during instruction in accordance with the Education Act Section 56.
4. To receive regular updates regarding their child’s attendance.
5. To be informed on a regular basis if their child is not attending school.
2. To ensure their child comes to school ready to learn.
3. To support their child’s teacher in efforts to educate their child.
 EDUCATION STAFF
2. To be treated in a fair and consistent manner at school.
3. To receive necessary supports from the school team to help students attend regularly.
2. To keep records of daily attendance of their students and provide this information regularly to parents.
3. To identify students with attendance issues and advise the parents/guardians and the school team.
4. To provide feedback to the principal and parents regarding student attendance.
5. To work with the school team in providing an appropriate program for students with attendance issues.
 PRINCIPALS
2. To have all school staff attend regularly and punctually.
3. To have students attend regularly and punctually.
4. To arrange counselling for students who have been suspended.
5. To suspend students up to five days in accordance with the Education Act.
2. To provide supports for students who have attendance and punctuality issues.
3. To work with the school team to provide a re-entry plan for students in need.
 DEA
2. To suspend students more than 5 days and to expel students in accordance with the Education Act.
 COMMUNITY
2. To not employ students who are required to be registered in school according to the Education Act.

## REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

1. Student registration is required for all students who fall within the ages of 5 and 18 according to the Education Act, Sections 2.2, 2.3 and 30 and is available at any school in Cambridge Bay any day that the school is open.
2. Parents who reside in Cambridge Bay will ensure that their child is registered with a school in Cambridge Bay on or before the first instructional day of the school year which usually begins in August.
3. If the student is a minor under the age of 18, the parents must register the individual at school. Students who are 18 years of age or older may register themselves at school.
4. In Cambridge Bay, individuals who are 18 years of age and older may or may not be allowed to register at school and are treated on a case by case basis by the Principal and IDEA.
5. The IDEA will not allow the registration of those students who meet all of the following requirements: 18 years or older as of December 31 in the current school year; have earned between 0 and 20 credits to date; have a history of unresolved behavioral issues which have resulted in suspensions; and have less than 40% attendance in the most recent school year.
6. Students from outside the community who are visiting for short periods of time (less than two weeks) will not be permitted to register at any school; however, they may be permitted to attend school as a guest on a case by case basis as determined by the Principal and the IDEA. Students from outside the community who are visiting for more than two weeks will be permitted to register and attend classes.

## ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

1. It is the duty of all students that they shall attend school regularly and punctually.
2. It is the duty of the parents to promote regular and punctual school attendance by their children.
3. There are some exemptions from attendance in the Education Act, Section 34.3 and these are allowed on a case-by-case basis and only if a written agreement is made between the parent and the Principal. This written agreement is called an Exemption Agreement.
4. If any student misses more than two consecutive mornings of school, has not provided communication or explanation from the parent to the school, and does not have an exemption agreement, the student shall be referred to the school community counsellor for assistance and support, which may result in a phone call, a letter home or a home visit.
5. The school community counsellor will keep documented records of all non-attenders that have been referred to them and this will be presented in the Principal’s monthly report to the IDEA.
6. If students are absent for two mornings a week or more and for three consecutive weeks without communication or explanation from the parent to the school and without an exemption agreement, the parents shall be referred to the Department of Family Services by the school community counsellor.

## See also

* Registration and Attendance Policy proposed amendment