Family Handbook 2017-18

where possible. Addi onally,  the  school may ask  for  suppor ng documenta on before  it  sanc ons  an extended absence  request. 

Once  the  school has been approached by  the parent and permission given  for  the  student  to miss  an extended period of  me by  the VP School  Life & Opera ons or  Interim Head,  Junior School,  teachers will provide appropriate  face‐to‐face and online  support. As well,  students are expected  to  take  responsibility  for mee ng with  their  teachers  in advance of a planned absence and  to  meet  the expecta ons established by  the  teacher  in every  course. This  includes  the  comple on of  all assignments  in a  mely manner as  specified by  the  teacher. Students must  check  their  Veracross  class page  to  see what  they missed during  their absence.  Final  summa ve examina ons  in Grades 7–12 must also be wri en by  students when  they are  scheduled unless extenua ng  circumstances warrant alterna ve arrangements being made. These  special,  case‐specific arrangements are established by  the VP School  Life & Opera ons.  Unplanned Extended Absences  Some mes  it  is necessary  for  students  to miss  school  for an extended period of  me when  they  are  sick,  injured or otherwise unwell. These, and other  kinds of unplanned absences,  can present  at any  me during  the  school  year.  In  these  instances, Havergal will do everything  it  can  to  reasonably accommodate and  support  the  student.  In general, however, when  students are  unexpectedly absent  from  school due  to  illness,  they  should  check  their Veracross  class pages  to  see what was missed during  their absences,  talk  to  their  teachers about missed assessments and  take  responsibility  for  catching up on what  they missed.  In more  serious  cases,  the  school will do whatever  it  can  to  support  the  learning needs of unwell  students with  compassion and  resolve  to help  the  student  through a difficult personal  me. These  are uniquely  considered on a  case by  case basis by  the  Interim Head,  Junior School, VP School  Life  & Opera ons,  the Vice Principal of Teaching &  Learning and  the  student’s Guidance Counsellor.  Returning  from an Extended Absence  Upon  returning  to  school a er an extended absence due  to  illness, parents are asked  to  send an  email of explana on  that will be  shared with  the  school nurse. The nurse keeps  this note on file.  To prevent  the  spread of  infec on,  students  should not  come back  to  school un l  they have  completely  recovered  from any kind of  infec on.  In  the  case of  communicable diseases  such as  measles,  chickenpox, etc.,  the  school must be provided with a medical  cer ficate  indica ng  that  all danger of  infec on  is over and  that  the  student  is fit  to  return  to  school. 

Last Updated Aug. 18, 2017  Havergal College Family Handbook 2017–18

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