We want students at school! Teachers have great things planned for students each day. Our middle school program is designed specifically for the active needs of 10–15-year-olds. Student learning takes place in hands-on demonstrations, laboratories, interactive lessons, performances, and student-driven discussions. If a student is not here to participate, they miss significant learning opportunities that may impact their overall achievement. 

If a student must be absent or late, parents/legal guardians are asked to contact the school office by emailing woodmanattendance@cbe.ab.ca. Our office is open at 8:30 a.m., and the email address/attendance line is available 24 hours a day. It is the responsibility of parents and students to make sure all absences and lates are explained. Our automated phone system will be calling home in the morning and after lunch to notify parents when students are absent. While this system is generally accurate, there are occasions when a student is missed. If a family receives this call and wishes to verify their child’s attendance please contact the main office at 403-777-7490. 

Some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. The CBE determines the following reasons for absence as an excused absence:

• If a student has been directed by AHS to self-isolate as a result of any contagious illness
• If a student is sick or has a medical or dental appointment
• If a student has a family emergency or a funeral
• If a student has a religious or cultural observance
• If there is a court appearance directly related to the student
• If a student is suspended, expelled, or on a home supported leave from school 

We recognize enrichment activities and travel may present unique learning opportunities for students. It is important to remember that these absences can create gaps in student learning and social development. The CBE provides many opportunities for families to holiday during fall, winter, spring and summer breaks. We encourage families to book holidays during these breaks. Students will be responsible for making up any missed assignments by checking the information posted on the teachers’ web-based platform (D2L, blog, etc.). 

The CBE determines the following reasons for absence to be an unexcused absence:

• If families take a vacation during school days.
• If a student needs to start late or leave early from school, due to non-school related extracurricular activities (athletic activities, enrichment programs, music programs, theatre performances, etc.) 

If student absences continue, an Attendance Improvement Plan will be initiated, and ultimately contact with a CBE Attendance Officer may be required. Parents will be asked to come to school to work out a solution to the problem. If poor habits develop, they are often difficult to break. 

Late Policy Sign In

Students are expected to arrive at school on time. The school doors open at 9:00. Students should not arrive later than the entry bell at 9:10; if so, they will be required to report to the main door and office, as all other doors will be locked at the start of instructional time (9:15). Arriving late to class disrupts the teaching and learning environment. Being late for medical or dental appointments etc. (excused) must be accompanied by an email or phone call from parents. Students arriving late to school must always report to the school office, sign into the Late Binder and retrieve a late slip prior to proceeding to their classroom. Receiving a Late Slip is a requirement, regardless of whether students come to school on foot, bicycle, school bus, public transport or by private vehicle. This will assist with accurate attendance reporting. We understand that occasionally traffic will cause an unforeseen delay but for the most part we expect students to arrive to school with enough time to organize materials, go to their locker and report to class. We appreciate parent support in assisting their child to set a routine that promotes punctuality and regular attendance, and that values their class time. 

Early Pick-Up

If a student needs to leave the school for an appointment, a parent or guardian must notify the school absence email (woodmanattendance@cbe.ab.ca). Students should inform their teacher of the need to leave class early and be prepared to report to the office independently at the determined time. Following this procedure will lower the volume of phone calls the main office receives, will reduce waiting times for parents, and will reduce telephone interruptions to classrooms. Parents of Grade 5-6 students are required to enter the school and sign out their child in the “Sign Out” binder. Students in Grades 7-9 may sign themselves out in the “Sign Out” binder, if they have the required note or email from their parents. 

Punctual Arrival to Class

In order to arrive to each class punctually, students should take all the materials needed for morning learning. At the end of lunch, students should bring all the materials they need for the rest of the afternoon. Students should not access their lockers in between classes. Teachers take attendance in PowerSchool each period of the day. If a student does not report to class within two minutes of the modified to Late. Should an increased or chronic pattern of late arrivals be noted, the classroom teacher will communicate with parent about underlying causes and a plan for improvement will be established between parent, teacher, and student. Parents have access to period-by-period attendance through the PowerSchool application.