Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts

School hours shall be from 8:00 a.m. until 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Office hours will be from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Closed Campus: 

Upon arrival on school ground, students may not leave campus at any time or for any reason without first checking out in the office. Students requesting to leave school during the day must be checked out by his/her parent/guardian in the school office. Every parent/guardian may be requested to show picture identification to school personnel when signing out their child for any reason. If a student becomes ill and needs to be sent home, FWAFA will notify the student’s parent/guardian.

Attendance: 

In Texas, all children who are six (6) years of age and have not yet reached their 18th birthday are required to attend school unless otherwise exempted by law. Upon enrollment in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, a child shall attend school (Section 25.085, Texas Education Code). A student under the age of 18 is required to attend school daily.

Students are required to be in attendance at least 90% of the scheduled class time to receive credit for a course. The Board of Directors shall appoint an attendance review committee to hear student petitions for class credit by students who do not achieve the 90% minimum attendance. The attendance committee shall establish guidelines (approved by the Board of Directors) for evaluation of these petitions and shall have the discretion to award class credit to students who have exceeded the maximum number of absences. Students may appeal negative decisions of the attendance committee to the board of directors. For purposes of determining whether a student has been in attendance for 90% of the scheduled class time, absence for observation of a religious holiday shall not be counted as an absence. Excessive absences, excused or unexcused, may result in loss of standing in the performance group.

If any student fails to attend or the parent/guardian of a school age child fails to send the child to school as required by law, a warning shall be issued by the school and/or the attendance officer that attendance is immediately required. If, after a warning the student fails to attend and/or the parent/guardian fails to send the child to school as required by law the parent/guardian commits an offense (Sec. 25.093, Texas Education Code/Sec. 51.03, Family Code). The director/designee shall file a complaint (citation) against the student/parent/guardian in court at this time. If the student/parent/guardian is found in violation of the compulsory attendance laws, the court shall assess a penalty that may include, but is not limited to, community service, suspension of a student’s driver’s license, mandatory summer and/or Saturday school attendance, and/or a fine up to $500 for each day a student remains truant. Some students may be referred to the juvenile probation department for action as engaging in conduct indicating a need for supervision (Sec. 51.03, Family Code).
Decisions of determining excused or unexcused absences shall be the responsibility of the director/designee. Any absence, regardless of the number, will be considered and dealt with on its own merit.

Absences: 

The FWAFA supports regular attendance and student success by combining early intervention with prosecutorial enforcement of compulsory attendance laws, as well as incentive programs to recognize good attendance.

A student absent from school or from any class without parental permission will be considered unexcused and subject to disciplinary action, denial of TEA form necessary for the student’s driver’s license, a police citation and/or a referral to the proper court for appropriate judiciary action.

A student not actually on campus at the time attendance is taken will be considered absent unless the student is temporarily absent due to an appointment with a health care professional or a performance approved by the Principal. If that student commences classes or returns to school on the same day of the appointment WITH A NOTE FROM THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL, he/she is considered in attendance.

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to call the school each day of a student absence to explain the reason for absence. The school should receive calls within 30 minutes of class starting time. The purpose for notifying the school is to ensure that both the school and the parent/guardian are aware that the student is accounted for as well as to clarify the absence as excused or unexcused. ABSENCES NOT CLEARED WITHIN 24 HOURS WILL BE CONSIDERED UNEXCUSED. A student absent from school for any reason may not be allowed to participate in school-related activities on that day or evening.

Excused Absences:

Students shall be excused for temporary absences based on any reason acceptable to the School Director or designee including, but not limited to, illness or appointment with a health care professional.

• Illness - After 3 consecutive days missed, a doctor’s note is required for return to school.

• Family illness – A life threatening illness in the immediate family, subject to approval by Executive Director.

• Death in the family.

• Religious holidays – Students shall be excused for the purpose of observing religious holy days, including travel for that purpose as long as the parent or guardian having custody of the student submits a written request for the excused absence. Absences are subject to prior approval from the Executive Director.

• Health Care Professional Appointment – Must have a note from the Health Care Professional for return to school.

• Graduating seniors may have two (2) excused absences for reviewing colleges.
  

Exemption from Class for Religious Activity:

Parents who have a religious objection to a classroom activity may request that their child be removed from the classroom while that activity is conducted. Parents may also object to their child’s participation when they feel that a class activity is controversial in nature for any reason.

The School Administration shall listen to the parent's concern and attempt to reach an agreement regarding the child's participation in the class activity that is being questioned.

Unexcused Absences:

An unexcused absence shall be defined as missing all or part of a school day without parent/guardian and/or director/designee permission. Cutting or skipping a full or partial class period, missing more than ten minutes of a class (including tardies), and any other reason deemed unreasonable by the director/designee shall be considered unexcused. Attendance violations may affect promotion and/or class credit status and student’s standing in the performing group. The director/designee may use one or more discipline management techniques after each unexcused absence.

Tardiness:

Student tardiness is considered a disruption and is not acceptable. A student that arrives at school after attendance is taken may be considered absent for that particular day. Disruptions in class are a violation of the penal code EC 37.124 and the student may receive a citation. All students are expected to be in place with all materials for each class. This means that the student must be in his/her desk, or in the appropriate are (on the risers, etc.) with all materials at the time the tardy bell rings. When a student is tardy he will be sent to the office. Tardies will be recorded in the office and an infraction will be issued for every third tardy received.

Make-Up Work:

Students shall have make-up privileges for excused absences. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO SECURE ASSIGNMENTS MISSED AND MAKE-UP ALL WORK. One day will be given to make up work for each for each day of excused absence.
Failure to complete assignments, according to the guidelines, will result in no credit for such assignments. Parents/guardians and students should understand that certain types of schoolwork cannot be assigned for completion at home because of teacher explanations and/or special materials that may be needed by the student.

Students who miss school without an excused absence will not receive credit for work missed, will not be allowed to make up work for credit, or be given a grade for material assigned during the unexcused absence period.

Decisions on Absences:

The decision of determining excused or unexcused absences shall be the responsibility of the director/designee. Any absence, regardless of the number, will be considered and dealt with on its own merit. Violations of attendance policies may result in disciplinary action and/or affect promotion or class credit status.