ASA’s school culture of respect, inclusion, and strong relationships is a foundation on which the school thrives. Like any strong culture, we reinforce values, beliefs, processes and procedures that support our culture and keep our students safe. It is important for everyone – parents and students – to support the rules and norms that support the environment we have carefully fostered. Especially important is student safety during drop-off and pick-up times, and we appreciate everyone working together to keep our young people safe.
Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) requires that the parent or legal guardian of the student shall ‘enroll the child and ensure that the child attends a public, private or charter school for the full time of the school.’ To that end, ASA has implemented attendance policies in the spirit and letter of the law. It is imperative that parents understand these policies and how they will affect their child’s evaluations at ASA.
Arizona State law requires that parents ensure that their children between the ages of six and sixteen attend school. On the fifth unverified absence or 19 total verified/unverified absences (regardless of reason) parent and/or child could be issued a citation for a violation of an Arizona Revised Statutes 15-802 or 15-803. The citation would require that both parent and child appear in court regarding this issue.
Per A.R.S. §15-803(B), absences may be considered excessive when the number of absent days exceeds ten percent (18 days) of the number of required attendance days (180 days). If students exceed eighteen (18) absences in any course, they will not receive credit for that course.
Exceptions may be made for religious holidays, health-related absences with documentation from a medical professional, or for professional engagements with prior approval from ASA Administration. All other absences will be included in the total number of absences.
Parents are responsible for the timely attendance of their children to both academic and arts classes. Daily and punctual attendance to all classes (including presentation week), school functions, and performances (including Showcase) is essential for success at ASA. The ASA curriculum requires active participation and often involves group work. For this reason, it is difficult for students to make up work missed due to absence or tardiness.
Each day a student is absent their parent(s)/guardian(s) must contact the Attendance Clerk via email attendance@goasa.org or call the school attendance line at 602-257-1444 x 4121 before 8:15 AM on the day of absence. Messages should include the student’s name, grade, absence reason, parent name, and phone number.
Note: A verified absence is one that has been reported to the school Attendance Clerk within 24 hours. An unverified absence is one that has not been reported to the school Attendance Clerk within 24 hours.
Notes:
● To avoid traffic congestion, you may want to consider dropping off/picking up older High School students at the Burton Barr Library.
● Please follow the instructions of staff and volunteers wearing yellow/orange vests, unload and load students in the drop zones only.
● Please do not unload and load students on McDowell Street or 3rd Street.
Drop Off Procedures:
● Drop Off your student by 7:40am from E. Willetta Street through the Alley or the Church Curb from 2nd Street, proceeding to the drop point in the Main Lot. Faculty members will be posted along the route for guidance.
● The Main Parking Lot is used as an EXIT ONLY and you may only make a right turn onto 3rd Street.
● Please do not allow your student to exit your vehicle along the drop route for safety and expediency reasons.
● ASA gates will be open at 7:15am for student drop off.
Pick Up Procedures:
● Pick Up is either at 3:20pm – 3:30pm (if your students does not have a 9th hour) or 4:20pm – 4:30pm (if your student has a 9th hour). Tell your students which lot you will use: Main parking lot or Church Curb.
● The Main Parking Lot is only used as an EXIT and you may only make a right turn onto 3rd Street.