Absence from school: When a student is absent, he/she must give his homeroom/PEER Group teacher a written excuse from his/her parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence.  The homeroom/PEER Group teacher will then give the student a permit for the rest of his/her classes.  Excused absences are only allowed for the following:

1. Illness of the student.

2. Illness or death in the student's immediate family.

3. Participation in legitimate school activities with the permission of the principal.

4. Emergencies or extenuating circumstances as recognized by the principal or his/her designee.

The student will be given three days to bring a written excuse from the parent/guardian for an absence.  After three days, the absence becomes unexcused.  Four or more unexcused absences in a yearlong course will cause the student to fail that course.  Two or more unexcused absences will cause the student to fail in a semester-long course.

Make up work: Students who have excused or unexcused absences will be given an opportunity to make up work missed within five school days after returning to school.  It is the student's responsibility to see that the work is made up.

Absenteeism and Tardiness: Regular attendance cannot be stressed enough.  Many studies prove there is a definite correlation between a student making good grades and regular attendance.  It is equally important that the students begin their day on schedule.  Tardiness leads to truancy and affects the student's progress in school.

Truancy: Any student who is absent from class without the consent of his/her parent or school officials is considered truant.  Students may be assigned to the Student Assignment Center or suspended from school for this offense. 

Tardiness to class: A student is counted tardy if he/she is not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings.  The teacher keeps an accurate record of tardiness.  Students will be assigned to after school detention when tardy without an excuse.

Leaving school during the school day: Parents/guardians desiring to pick up students during the school day must come to the school office and sign him/her out.  No child will be released to any person other than the parent or guardian unless the school receives a written request from the parent, which can be verified, and the person picking up the child can provide proper identification.  Also, written permission is needed from the parent before a student can leave campus for a field trip or any school sponsored trip.  Students must submit a properly signed field trip permission slip at least forty-eight hours prior to the field trip.

Withdrawals: Students who are withdrawing from Hamilton Middle School to go to another school need to report to the attendance office.  The student must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  All withdrawing students must provide information as to what school they will be enrolling in once they leave Hamilton.

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