Student Absences

In accordance with the School Act of British Columbia, there is a legal requirement for all students to attend all classes in which they are registered. Regular attendance is an essential ingredient of success and it is the responsibility of parents and students. We ask that parents notify the school (by telephone, email or note) when a student is legitimately absent. Unexcused absences will result in a phone call home on our automated phone home system in the evening. Persistent unexcused absence will result in disciplinary action. 

Parents should note that family holidays or trips should not interfere with regular attendance at school and should be scheduled only at times when there is a school break. Note too that excused absences means "explained" absence, students are still responsible for work that is missed except in cases of extreme circumstance where parents should notify an administrator about the situation.

School begins promptly at 8:40 am and ends (Monday to Thursday) at 3:05 pm and Fridayat 1:45 pm. It is expected that students and parents will use the early dismissal on Friday to arrange special appointments for medical, dental and other issues so that students will not miss class. 

EMCS Attendance Policy
Consistent attendance is key to success and becomes critically important as students enter their senior years. To that end, home and school need to communicate regularly to help support our students.

Excused Absence
To report an absence, please inform the main office by telephone, email or written note; email or telephone would be preferred. If a written note is used, the student will need to take it to each of his/her classes to be signed by their teachers and then return the note to the office at the end of the day.

Unexcused Absence
When a student has an unexcused absence, our computer system will pick up this information and send it home as an email or phone message using our “auto dialer” system.

If you get one of these messages, one or more of several options are open to you.

1)      Contact the school and let us know that in fact the absence was excused and we will change it in our records.
2)      Contact the school and let us know that the absence was unexcused and that you have received the message.
3)      Discuss the absence with your son or daughter, emphasizing the importance of consistent attendance.

If you are receiving these unexcused absence messages on a consistent basis, please contact the school to set up a meeting where we can try together to set up a plan to improve attendance.

If unexcused absence continues, it may be necessary for the school to follow up using a progressive discipline model.

                                                    We care! 
Attendance offers an opportunity to interact in meaningful ways with teachers, students, and ideas – a necessity for learning.