Late & Tardy Policies

We will be tracking tardies 2 ways – Tardy to Class and Late to School.

Tardy to Class: Students have 5 minutes to change classes.  Students who are tardy to a class must report to Student Services to have their tardy recorded and receive a pass to enter class late.  I have attached the Tardy to Class consequence hierarchy.  Every student will have a few slip ups, so we allow for 3 warning tardies with no consequence.  However, from the 4^th tardy on, there will be consequences.  Tardies to class are tracked across periods, meaning that if a student is tardy to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd period in one day, they will be due to receive a consequence on their next tardy. Tardy counts will reset at the end of each 9 weeks. Please encourage your student to make it to class on time to every period, every day.

Late to School: First period starts at 7:25 am.  Students who arrive to school unexcused after 7:25am must sign in at the front office to have their tardy recorded.  This includes students who arrive at any point in the day (2^nd period, 3^rd period, etc.).  I have attached the separate consequence hierarchy for students who are Late to School.  Again, unexpected situations arise, which is why students can be tardy to school 5 times before consequences begin. Tardy counts will reset at the end of each 9 weeks. Note: students in the OJT program, dual enrollment students, students on late busses, and students with excused absences/tardies will not need to sign in as tardy to school, as long as they show proof of their situation  (i.e., ID badges, doctor’s note, etc.).

The Pinellas County Schools Code of Conduct clearly defines excused and unexcused absences and tardies on page 55-57:

III. Tardies 

A student is tardy when the student is not in his or her assigned seat or station when the bell rings. 

1. Excused Tardy 

A tardy is excused only if the student is late for one of the reasons described in section V (see below). 

2. Unexcused Tardy

A tardy is not excused unless it is caused by reasons set forth in section V. Examples of unexcused tardies include: 

1. oversleeping 

2. missing the school bus 

3. shopping trips 

4. pleasure trips 

5. car problems (ex: flat tire, no gas, car won’t start, student getting a parking decal) 6. heavy traffic 

7. returned for forgotten items 

Habitual tardiness is unacceptable and unfair to other students because instruction is interrupted every time a late student arrives. Individual schools may develop school-based consequences for tardy students

V. Reasons Why An Absence, A Tardy Or An Early Sign Out Will Be Excused 

An absence, a tardy or early sign out will be excused if caused by one of the following reasons: 

A. The student is ill or injured. 

B. There is a major illness in the student’s immediate family (this means parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, or others living in the home). 

C. There is a death in the immediate family. 

D. The student attends religious instruction or there is a religious holiday in the student’s own faith. 

E. The student is required by summons, subpoena or court order to appear in court. A copy of the subpoena or court order must be given to the principal. 

F. Special event. Examples of special events include important public functions, conferences, state/national competitions, as well as exceptional cases of family need. The student must get permission from the principal at least five days prior to the absence. 

G. The student has a scheduled medical or dental appointment. It is recommended, when possible, to schedule appointments outside of school hours, so students do not miss instruction. 

H. Students having, or suspected of having, a communicable disease or infestation which can be transmitted are to be excluded from school and are not allowed to return to school until they no longer present a health hazard (F.S. 1003.22). Examples of communicable diseases and infestations include, but are not limited to, fleas, head lice, ringworm, impetigo and scabies. Students are allowed a maximum of three (3) excused days for each infestation of head lice unless extended by principal. Students on field trips and students who attend alternative to suspension programs are not considered absent