OOLOGAH-TALALA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Absence Notification

High School

A student may be excused from school and allowed to make up missed work if the parent/guardian notifies the attendance office by noon on the day following the absence. Acceptable reasons for excused absences include:

• Illness

• Medical or dental appointments

• Family emergencies

• College visits

To report an absence, contact the High School Attendance Office at 918-443-6000, ext. 6221 or email Chandra Guthrie

Middle School

An “Absence Explained” is recorded when the attendance office receives notification from a parent or guardian. While the absence is documented, it still counts toward the student’s allowable absences per semester.

To report a Middle School absence, contact the Attendance Office at 918-443-6000, ext. 6155 or email Nicole Moffett

An “Absent Unexcused (AU)” designation is given when the attendance office has not received notification from a parent or guardian regarding a student’s absence.

• This type of absence counts toward the student’s allowable absences per semester.

• Failure to resolve unexcused absences may result in disciplinary action or loss of course credit as outlined in the district's attendance policy.

Truancy Policy

A student is considered truant when they:

• Are absent without proper parent/guardian notification,

• Are absent without parental knowledge,

• Or arrive more than 10 minutes late to class without a valid excuse.

Truancy is a serious violation of school policy and may result in disciplinary consequences, including In-School Detention (ISD).

High School Only

• No make-up work will be allowed for any absence marked as truant.

Legal Implications

Repeated truancy at the Middle School or High School level may result in legal action being taken against the parent/guardian in accordance with the Oklahoma Compulsory Attendance Law.

Examples of Truancy

The following are considered acts of truancy:

• Leaving campus without signing out through the attendance office

• Being absent without parental permission or notification

• Being present at school but not attending class

• Claiming illness and going to the restroom instead of reporting to the nurse, counselor, or attendance office

• Remaining on school grounds but not being in the assigned classroom or designated area

Falsified Excuses

Any falsified phone calls, notes, or excuses submitted to the school may result in disciplinary action, including possible Out-of-School Suspension (OSS).

Early Check-Out Procedure

If a student must leave during the school day, the following steps must be followed:

1. Parent/Guardian Permission:
   A parent or guardian must either call the attendance office or come to the main office to provide permission and sign the student out.

2. Sign-Out Requirement:
   The student must sign out in the attendance office before leaving campus.

   Students will not be allowed to leave without verified parent/guardian permission.

3. Early Check-Out from 7th Hour:
   Any student who checks out of 7th hour within 10 minutes of the end-of-day bell will be marked tardy to that class.

   This early check-out will carry the same status as a tardy.

Students are expected to be in class on time to maximize their learning and to avoid disrupting instruction. A student is considered tardy if they are not in the classroom and prepared to learn when the bell rings. Tardiness may result in disciplinary action by the teacher or administration.

Efforts will be made to correct repeated tardiness through communication and intervention. However, students who consistently disregard expectations may face escalating consequences, including suspension or removal from class.

Any student who is 15 minutes or more late to class will be counted absent and must obtain an admit slip from the office before being allowed to return to class.

Loitering in the halls or at lockers during class time is not permitted.

Tardy Discipline Procedures:

• 3 tardies = 1 After School Detention (ASD)

• 6 tardies = 1 day of In-School Detention (ISD)

• 9 tardies = 3 days of In-School Detention (ISD)

• 12 tardies = 5 days of In-School Detention (ISD) AND one unexcused absence.

Closed Campus Policy

Oologah-Talala Public Schools operates as a closed campus. This means:

• Students must remain on campus after arrival—whether by bus, car, or other means—unless explicitly excused by an administrator.

• Vehicles are off-limits to students during the school day. Students may not go to their vehicles without administrative permission.

• Lunch Check-Out: Students may only check out for lunch if accompanied by a parent or guardian and with proper sign-out procedures followed.

Restricted Areas & Building Access

• Students are not permitted in the parking lot during school hours. Violation may result in disciplinary consequences, including suspension.

• High school students are not allowed in the middle school or elementary buildings without prior administrative permission.

• Middle school students are not allowed in the high school or elementary buildings without prior administrative permission.

Any student found in unauthorized areas or buildings may face suspension or other disciplinary actions.

Make-Up Work and Absence Responsibilities

Absence Types and Work Make-Up

• Absence Unexcused (AU):
  Work can be made up. Students have one (1) day to complete make-up work for each day missed. It is the student’s responsibility to complete and turn in the work within the allotted time.

  Note: Students marked truant are not allowed to make up work. (High School only)

• Absence Explained (Excused):
  Work can be made up under the same conditions as unexcused absences—one day for each day missed.

Student’s Responsibility for Missed Assignments

• Students must ensure all make-up work is properly completed and submitted to each teacher.

• The timeline for make-up work begins the first day the student returns to school.

• It is the student’s responsibility to complete all make-up work within the allowed time frame.

• For excused absences, the student and/or parent must arrange for completing missed daily work.

Extended Absences (More Than 3 Days)

• Absences exceeding three (3) consecutive days require a parent request for assignments.

• The due date for requested work begins the day the assignments are made available to the parent in the main office.

• Exceptions for delayed completion during extended absences require administrative approval.

Late Work Policy

• Students must submit work by the due date assigned by the teacher.

• Work turned in after the due date is considered late.

• Oologah Middle School:
  Late assignments may be submitted up to 5 days late for half credit (50%), unless otherwise approved by the teacher. After 5 days, a zero will be recorded.

• Oologah High School:
  Late assignments may be submitted up to 5 days late for half credit (50%).

Getting Help and Making Arrangements

• Students must obtain missed assignments and seek help from teachers as needed.

• Teacher assistance is available by appointment. Students should arrange meetings in advance, respecting staff availability.

Responsibilities for Planned Absences

• For absences known in advance (e.g., school activities), students must submit work by the last day of attendance or the day they return.

• Long-term assignments (projects, term papers) are due upon return and are not subject to the one-day-per-absence make-up rule.

Make-Up Tests

• Tests announced while the student is present or regularly scheduled tests missed due to absence may be made up upon return, at the teacher’s discretion.

• Each teacher will establish a make-up testing schedule, allowing up to one week to complete missed tests.

• Students are responsible for confirming the make-up test time. Missing a scheduled make-up test will result in a zero unless excused by the teacher or administrator.

• Exceptions to this policy require approval by the building principal.

Make-Up Work Extending Beyond a Grading Period

• If make-up work extends past the grading period or grades are submitted before work is completed, an Administrative Grade of “P” (Incomplete) will be assigned.

• This indicates pending work is allowed. Once the make-up period ends, the final grade will be calculated and recorded.