Attendance
DHS Attendance Policy
Students who arrive after the school's designated start time are considered tardy and must follow the school's specific late arrival procedures. Students who are regularly late to school will be contacted by the school to work with the family to support a timely arrival each day. The official attendance in school is taken during the third period of classes.
Students reporting to school late must report first to the appropriate Assistant Principal’s office. This will assure the accuracy of the school’s attendance records.
On time arrival at school each day allows students to get their day started in a calm and orderly fashion with their peers and teachers. Students who arrive after the school's designated start time are considered tardy and must follow the school's specific late arrival procedures. Students who are regularly late to school will be contacted by the school to work with the family to support a timely arrival each day.
The official attendance in school is taken during the third period of classes.
Students reporting to school late must report first to the appropriate Assistant Principal’s office. This will assure the accuracy of the school’s attendance records.
Attendance is also taken for each period of the day.
The warning bell for school rings at 7:25 a.m. Students must be in their Block A classroom and in their seat when the order bell rings at 7:35 a.m. If a student is late for the Block A class, he/she will be recorded as absent by the Block A teacher. Students entering school after 7:35 a.m. must report to the Assistant Principal’s office. Students failing to follow this procedure will receive no credit for any class that they attend that day.
Up to four tardies per term will be allowed without disciplinary action. On the 5th tardy students will be assigned after-school detention. When a student is tardy for the tenth time an administrator may require a parent/guardian meeting to accompany the student to school whenever the student is late. Additional disciplinary consequences may apply.
Additionally, any student who misses the first period without an approved excuse will be considered cutting that class.
Any student who has been absent will have the opportunity to buy back (i.e., waive) up to one day of absences each term, according to the following guidelines:
• Inform your Assistant Principal of your intention to buy back a day and obtain the appropriate form
• Show that form to each of your teachers for initialing on the first day
• Attend school for seven consecutive days without incurring any tardiness or any discipline referrals
• Complete all assignments (including homework) for seven consecutive days • On the seventh day, have each teacher re-sign the form, verifying your attendance and class work
• Return the form at the end of the seventh day to the Assistant Principal’s office • If the student successfully fulfills the above guidelines, a one-day waiver will be granted • Students must check in with teachers regarding potential field trips or other issues.
DHS Attendance Phone #
781-310-1180
Please call this number and leave a detailed message to let DHS know your student will be absent, tardy or need to be dismissed early.
Absent From School
Absences are excusable for; illness, recovery from an accident, required court attendance, professional appointments, death in the immediate family, observation or celebration of a religious holiday, and such other good cause as may be acceptable to the Superintendent of Schools. Families must call and report their student(s) absent prior to 8:00 a.m. by calling the designated School Attendance Line.