Attendance
ALABAMA SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS -- FAQ Attendance
Q: Whom do I contact regarding attendance?
A: Annemarie Gray, Attendance and Conduct Manager, agray@asfa.k12.al.us
All emails or calls regarding attendance, including absences, pre-arranged absences, Dr. excuses, tardies to school, attendance codes, etc. should be addressed to the Attendance and Conduct Manager.
Q: I received an email from the school that my child was marked absent/tardy to school today. What does this mean?
A: If a student is marked absent and/or tardy to their morning classes, an email will be automatically generated by our system notifying the parent. You may respond to the email, letting the Attendance and Conduct Manager know the reason for the student’s absence or with any questions you may have.
Q: If my child is absent, how many days do I have to contact the Attendance and Conduct Manager or front desk staff with an excuse?
A: Please contact the Attendance and Conduct Manager via email on the morning of your child’s absence, if possible. However, any parent or doctor excuses must be handed in to the front desk or emailed to the Attendance and Conduct Manager within 5 days of the absence. Students checking in to school may deliver their written excuses to the front desk staff.
Q: What is Attendance Probation? Can a student be administratively withdrawn due to Attendance Probation?
A: A student who is in violation of ASFA attendance policies will be placed on attendance probation for the following semester. Two attendance probations in a row or three total during a student's time at ASFA will result in administrative withdrawal.
Q: What attendance violations result in Attendance Probation?
A: The following attendance limits are considered incontrovertible:
Tardies: a student may not accrue more than 8 unexcused tardies or 16 total tardies to any class per semester without going on attendance probation.
Absences: a student may not accrue more than 12 total absences to any class per semester without going on attendance probation. Please note: ASFA accepts 6 parent excused absences but requires Dr. excuses or third-party documentation after that.
Unexcused absences: a student may not accrue more than 3 unexcused absences to any class per semester without going on attendance probation.
Q: Do school activities count towards a student’s 12 absence limit?
A: No, school sponsored events such as in-reaches, out-reaches, performances, field trips, academic competitions, etc. do not count towards a student’s 12 absence limit.
Q: How do I schedule a pre-arranged absence for my child?
A: Contact the Attendance and Conduct Manager. Depending on the length and reason for the absence, a pre-arranged absence form should be completed by the parent and student, signed by the student’s teachers, and submitted to the Attendance and Conduct Manager for approval at least two weeks in advance.
Q: Do college visits count towards a student’s 12 absence limit?
A: Juniors and seniors who obtain prior approval from the Attendance and Conduct Manager for college visit absences will not be penalized for these absences. Please note: prior approval and documentation required.