Message from MRHS Administration Team

January 31, 2019

Important Update: Student Late Arrivals to School
Attendance, daily and on-time, is an important part of making sure students thrive in the learning environment.  Students are expected to arrive to school on-time and report to class by the 7:25 a.m. bell, which indicates the start of Period 1.   As we end the first semester, we’ve been reviewing data regarding student attendance. More specifically, we’ve been looking at the on-time arrival data.  We’ve noted an increase in the number of students reporting to school after the 7:25 a.m. start time.  

As enrollment has increased over the last several years, the number of vehicles entering the parking lot has also increased, which in turn as led to a greater amount of morning traffic. The number of vehicles will likely increase as more students get their driver’s licenses and student parking permits this Spring.   During first semester, we have tried to be flexible by asking teachers to hold recording attendance on days with extremely heavy traffic. These instances have increased lately, which has impacted first period instruction, as well as, created uncertainty regarding student tardy consequences.  

Beginning immediately, students who arrive to school after the 7:25 a.m. bell will report to the late table outside the front office for a pass to class.  Students should have a written note from a parent with the date and reason for lateness.  At that time, school staff will determine whether the lateness is excused or unexcused and issue the appropriate pass and consequence.  Traffic, windshield scraping, oversleeping, car trouble, or slow sibling have all been given as reasons for arriving late and are counted as unexcused.   The most common reasons that are accepted for an excused tardy, according to the HCPSS Attendance Policy, are illnesses and medical appointments.
While we are reinforcing the 7:25 a.m. start time, we are also going to reset the consequences for students with unexcused tardiness to school.  This adjustment does not change the attendance record, however, does allow students to have a fresh start to consequences for second semester.  In examining our consequences for tardiness, we’ve determined there is a need to amend the published consequences.  Below is an updated list of consequences that will replace what was published on page 7 of the Student Agenda Book.

First offense – Verbal warning
Second offense – Verbal warning (Parent contact) -- Amended
Third offense – Lunch detention
Fourth offense – Lunch detention (Parent contact) -- Amended
Fifth offense – After school detention (Parent contact)
Sixth offense – Morning detention (Parent contact)
Seventh offense – Extended school day 3-hour detention (Parent contact)
Eighth offense - Extended school day 3-hour detention (Parent conference)
Ninth offense – In-school intervention (Parent conference), Referral to the Pupil Personnel Worker
Subsequent offenses –Administrative discretion

On a related topic of morning traffic, for parents who choose to transport students, please remember to use the second entrance and drop off students by the auditorium.  The first entrance is designated only for buses or staff vehicles prior to 7:25 a.m.   After 7:25, cars can enter the bus loop where students and visitors can use the door by the front office with the buzzer.  It should also be noted that, for building security purposes, doors located by the auditorium and athletic entrances are locked and secured at 7:25 a.m.

Please talk to your student about arriving early and safely to school every day.  Encourage them not to stop for food/beverage along the way.  We recommend either riding the bus or planning to arrive between 7:00 and 7:15 a.m. (by 7:10 a.m. on rainy days!).  Students arriving early may enter the building as early as 7:00 a.m.