Attendance Line: 403-817-3552 ext. 1

There is a direct relationship between achievement and regular student attendance. Every student is required to attend school regularly and punctually.

Please remember that your child’s absence, or late, should always be called into the West Ridge School attendance line each morning prior to the start of school at 8:30 AM. You may leave the absence message the night before, or anytime in the early morning prior to the 8:30 AM start. The prompt reporting of your child’s absence enables us to track any unaccounted student absences efficiently, which greatly contributes to the safety of all our students!

Excused Absences

Students will only be marked excused when they are ill, there is a family emergency, or if they have medical appointments. It is essential to let the school know of the absence. Please call the absence line any time of day at 403- 817-3552 ext.1. To help our office run efficiently, please ensure you have called in before 8:30 AM.

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete all work missed while absent and to make arrangements to write tests that may have been missed. Parents may want to request homework and arrange for someone to pick it up at the end of the school day.

Skipping

Class attendance is mandatory and students who skip classes will be required to make up the time during lunch or after regular school hours.

Students who need to leave the building for a scheduled appointment or due to illness must check out through the office. Parental permission must be given by note, phone call, or by email at westridge@cbe.ab.ca.

Unexcused Absences

Students who are away from school without permission are considered truant and may face disciplinary action.

Extended Vacations

Each year families extend vacations or take time off during the school year. Students will be marked absent-unexcused during this time. When this type of absence is necessary, parents should provide the office with a note indicating the dates and reason for the proposed absences at least 5 days prior to leaving. Students are expected to inform each of their teachers of the absence. We will attempt to work with parents to accommodate the absence but we are unable to work as a distance learning center and will not provide work for students who are absent for extended periods.

Lates

Punctuality is an important attribute for future success. It is a matter of courtesy to your teachers and fellow students to arrive to school and your classes on time.

Students arriving late in the morning or at noon must get a “late slip” from the office before going to class. Students late for class during class changes will have this monitored by their teachers. To address the issue of excessive “unexcused lates”, students may face progressive disciplinary consequences.

PowerSchool Attendance 

Our student information system will notify parents of lates and absences. This is done on a per period basis so missing one day of school will show up as seven absences.