Whether due to illness, a medical appointment or other important events, there are times when students will need to be away from school.
Report an absence
If a student is going to be late or absent, please notify the school prior to the start of the classes by entering it in the , or calling 519-254-6475 and pressing "1" for attendance. Please leave a detailed message spelling the child's name, if there is no answer.
School Policy and Consequences for unexplained absences
It is essential that all absences be accounted for the same day and that all absences are accounted for prior to the student鈥檚 return to school. If an absence is unexplained when the student returns to school, the student will be called out of class the next day during period 2 and the student will receive an automatic detention for the following day at lunch. Parents need to simply call the Attendance Hotline the day of the absence and leave a message with an explanation of why their son or daughter is absent for the day and many follow up steps will not be necessary. Timely and clear communication is key!
When a Student is Late
If a student is late for class for periods 2,3,or 4, they must be admitted to class through the Attendance Office. For period 1 ONLY, in an effort to start each day smoothly, students will report directly to class for the first 15 minutes. Students are still marked late. If a student is late too many times, they will be directed to be admitted to class through the Attendance Office for period 1.
Being in class, on time, is a fundamental expectation for all our students. Being late repeatedly impacts both the student in question and is disruptive for other students. It is important that families and students all make a plan to ensure students are on time. Being late should be a rare occurrence. The vice-principal will work with families and students to try to ensure students are not late repeatedly.
When a student Must Leave School Unexpectedly
(student is ill, etc鈥�)
Students must report to the attendance office (student must never leave the school without communicating with the attendance office). The parent, guardian or emergency contact will be notified, and arrangements will be made for the student to leave school. If parents/caregivers ask to have a student leave class without advance notice, we cannot guarantee students will leave as planned. We will need to wait until a class change as we do not want to disrupt classes.
Drop Off/ Pick Up at KCI
If possible, we encourage students to walk, ride a bike (we have brand new bike racks!) or use public transit.
If students must be dropped off at school, it is imperative that drivers follow the drop off lane directions. It is clearly marked in the lot which lanes must be used for dropping off, and which lanes are for through traffic.
Consider using the bus bay for drop off that is just South of the school on MacDougall 鈥� avoid all the congestion in the parking lot! Your son or daughter will only need to walk a short distance to the school, and you can be on your way without being stuck in the parking lot.
When using the drop off lane, please pull as far forward as possible. Students should exit the car quickly, and then the driver of the car can pull forward and exit the lot, making room for the next car to drop off.
Cars should not be stopping for extended periods in the lot. If cars stop too close to the entrance, it blocks other cars from entering the lot and creates an unsafe circumstance as cars are stopped on the street.
If students are exiting cars in the through traffic lane, it is dangerous as they now need to cross two lanes of traffic 鈥� only exit cars in the drop off lane!
If everyone follows the established procedures and remains patient, drop off and pick up will be both safe and efficient.