RHP Information

Attendance

Good attendance is essential for a good education. Students are not to miss school for vacations, visits to relatives or outings. Parents are expected to stress to their children the importance of education by only permitting excused absences.

Excused Absences

To have an absence excused, students will clearly state the reason for the absence through a phone call from their parents the morning of the absence or in a note signed by the parent (or petitioned absence) submitted to the school after the absence. Excused absences are as follows:

  1. Personal illness.
  2. Quarantine directed by a health official.
  3. Medical, dental or optometrical services (not physical therapy).
  4. Death of a relative or close friend.
  5. An approved petitioned absence.

Petitioned Absences

The form for a petitioned absence can be obtained in the school office. To be considered for approval, this form is to be signed by each teacher before and after the absence. Teachers will only sign and aspprove a petitoned absence when they feel the student is able to make up the work and will not suffer academic consequences by missing the class. Teachers will indicate the homework requirements on the form before the absence so they will be able to return to school prepared for class. After meeting these requirements (turned in the assignments, etc.) the student will ask the teachers to initial the form and then submit it to the school office for approval.

Unexcused Absences

If an absence is unexcused, students will not be able to make up assignments and/or tests for full credit. A student will receive a demerit for each class missed up to a maximum of 5 demerits. 'Unexcused absences' are serious offenses and affect grades issued in courses. Please read the section above on Petitioned Absences.

Steps To Follow When Absent

  1. Have the parent or guardian (not the student) phone the school and inform the office of the absence 9:00 a.m. each day the student is absent. No note is necessary.
  2. If the student is absent more than one day, have someone pick up the assignments from the parent file in the office after school each day. Please read the section on 'Makeup'
  3. Have the student report to the office before school on the day of return and obtain an 'Official Admittance Slip' for class or a 'Temporary Admittance Slip'. Students who fail to report to the office will receive a demerit.
  4. If the parent or guardian did not phone in advance, as outlined in step #1 above, the student is to bring a note signed by the parent explaining the absence. The reason for the absence is to be clearly stated in the note.
  5. If the student should forget a note, the office will provide a Temporary Admittance Slip for that day. No absence is excused unless the parent verifies it. Parents have three days in which to verify the absence before it becomes an unexcused absence. Please read the section on 'Unexcused Absences'

Tardies

Promptness to class is very important. Students are to be in their seats and ready to work when the bell sounds. Demerits are issued for tardies. Students may appeal unexcused tardies by submitting their case in writing to the principal within one week. Students who are more than ten minutes late to a class are given an unexcused absence.

Make-Up Work

Students at Rio Hondo Prep are responsible for their class work when they are absent. They are not to be more than one day behind after they return. The teachers in Middle School will bring make-up assignments to the office after school on the day of the absence. High school students are mature enough to call their friends or teacher for assignments. If students cannot do the homework they are to make arrangements with the teacher before returning to school.

Leaving Campus

If it is necessary to leave school for any reason, students will:

  1. Have the parent check them out or have written consent from the parent...and
  2. Sign out in the school office before leaving.

Seniors have the privilege of leaving campus for lunch if they have 96 merits and written permission on file in the school office. All other students are to remain on campus for lunch. Students who leave campus without permission will receive three demerits.