Attendance

​Attendance Practice

The Education Act states that it is the responsibility of every student to attend regularly and punctually. With this in mind, our System continues with the current attendance practice in all 4 high schools (specific information is available in on-line).

Regina Catholic Schools Attendance Practice

Students attending any one of our four high schools must keep in mind the following:

1. Students must attend a minimum of 85% of classes. 15 missed classes – excused or unexcused – in any class results in being dismissed from the class.
    
2. Students must be punctual for a minimum of 85% of classes. 15 tardy classes – excused or unexcused – in any class results in being dismissed from the class.
    
3. Absences and tardiness will be carried forward if students transfer to another school in our school division within a semester.
    
4. Students failing classes or dismissed from classes will not have an option of repeating the classes in semester two of that academic year.

Extenuating circumstances – Students who are absent in 15 classes who have special circumstances can apply for an exemption. For absences that are planned this must occur in advance of the event. In unforeseen circumstance, appeals must be applied for within 3 school days of the 15th absence.

Absences

In the event that a student must be absent from one or more classes, the parent/guardian is to provide verification of the absence(s) by:

1. submitting absences via Edsby.
2. telephoning the school at 306-791-7240 (preferably before 8:30 a.m.) the morning of the absence(s);
3. e-mailing the school at OneillHighSchool@rcsd.ca.
4. dialing 306-791-7240 after hours and leaving a message on the answering machine.

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Note – Students absent from scheduled tests/exams are required to have the parent/guardian excuse the absence before being permitted to complete the assessment.

Lates

• Students are expected to be in their desks ready to receive instruction prior to the ringing of the bell to begin class.  Late students report directly to class.
• If students arrive more than 30 minutes late, they are to be sent directly to the office at which time the late may be deemed as an absence.

Consequences will be implemented for repetitive lates.

Early Leaves

Students who wish to be excused from the school during the day must have an early leave entered into Edsby prior to the class in question. 

A student who is ill must report to the office in order for parents to be contacted before the student is allowed to go home.

Extended Leaves from School

Families should be utilizing the holiday times scheduled each year for any travel or holiday being considered.  Such holiday travel should not be taken around or during the days established for Course Finalization Days (CFDs)/final exams.  Written requests for permission to have students leave the school for extended periods of time should only occur in consultation with O'Neill's administration prior to booking. 

When students are away on an extended absence of 5 or more days, please submit the appropriate form to the office. A description for each is included below along with the attached PDF documents. Students can also drop by the office to pick-up a copy. Students are required to meet with administration when submitting the documents to the office.

a) Secondary Attendance Practices Applications for Exemption - Prior Knowledge Form PDF Link

• Purpose: Form is intended for families leaving for extended travel.
• Students are required to meet with school administration to ensure a plan is in place to maintain studies in his/her academic program.
• Form is to be submitted to school administration for approval two weeks prior to departure.

b) Secondary Attendance Practices Applications for Exemption - Emergent Issue/Extenuating Circumstances PDF Link

• Purpose: Use this form when there is an unforeseen situation which has required the student to be absent. Such absences might include a funeral or emergent medical circumstance.
• This form should be submitted as soon as the student returns to school.
• Sick days are not included in our exemption policy unless they are accompanied by the appropriate documentation.

Attendance Reports

Regular attendance reports are available in Edsby. The procedure for accessing Edsby is included here.​