Attendance & Sickness

Updated May 2023

Importance of Attendance

Consistent attendance is an important requirement for all of us as a community of learners, and an integral key to success as a student.
We value coming on time, prepared, and ready to learn and participate - whether learning in person or online.
These are core values of our school community, and create an atmosphere of mutual respect for each other. 

When we are absent or late, it can affect not only our own learning, but also our classmates.
While occasional absences can be unavoidable, when students are absent they can miss the opportunity to share in classroom discussions and activities, the explanations, demonstrations, ongoing group work, and also the opportunity to ask their own questions.
This is why we, as a school community, want to create an environment of mutual respect for each other’s time and learning by being present and punctual whenever possible. 

Absences

Sometimes absences such as sickness, medical appointments, or other important engagements can be unavoidable.
In the case of a student’s absence, parents are asked to contact the school administration office prior to 8:30AM through Circle or email to give notice of the student’s absence.
If a student does not arrive at school and there has been no contact from parents, naturally we would worry.
In this case we will attempt to contact home to make sure there hasn’t been any unexpected difficulties on the way to school.

For planned absences, please notify the school as early as possible in advance.
Students are responsible for catching up on any missed work while they are away, as set by the teacher.

If a student needs to leave school early, the parent must notify the school in regards to an early dismissal.
 If the student becomes ill during the day, his/her parents will be contacted.
Please notify the school if a person other than that designated on the student application form will collect them.

Types of Absences

  1. Excused Absence - notification from legal guardian with a valid reason (sickness / appointments, sports or study commitments etc)
  2. Unexcused absence - notification from legal guardian without a valid reason (holidays / birthdays / family convenience etc)
    3. Truant - no notification from legal guardian

Lateness

Lateness is not consistent with our school values or our desire to respect each others’ time.
Students are expected to be ready to learn by 8:45AM each day, and before the start of each class session.
We understand that circumstances may prevent a student from arriving on time due to train or bus delays.
Lateness without an excuse will be recorded by the classroom teacher.
Three unexcused late arrivals will be considered as one day of absence and reflected on student reports at the end of each term.
If a student is consistently late without a valid reason, disciplinary action may follow. 

Attendance Rate

All students are expected to have at least 80% attendance in order to obtain a “passing grade” at Zoe International School.
If a student’s unexcused absences or truancy exceed this threshold within a school year, they may be at risk of not progressing to the next grade.
Exceptions may be granted by the principal or school board upon satisfactory documentation regarding the reasons for the absence. 

Students who are absent without parental permission or notification are considered truant.
Disciplinary steps may be taken to address truancy.

Attendance for online students refers to active participation in Zoom meetings as required.
Students are expected to join the beginning of each session with their cameras on.
Students who join Zoom with their camera off and do not respond when called on will be considered absent.

Sickness

As a parent, you can help prevent the spread of illness by not sending a sick child to school. 
Even so, it is sometimes hard to know when you should keep your children home from school. 

Please keep your child home from school if he/she is not able to participate in regular activities or is having any of the following symptoms or diagnoses:

  • Fever of  37.5 degrees C (99.5 degrees F) and above 

*must be fever free for 24 hours without fever medication before returning to school 

  • Lethargy or a very decreased activity
  • Irritability or persistent crying
  • Trouble breathing
  • Rash, if it is associated with a fever
  • Diarrhea and/or vomiting
  • Eye infections (conjunctivitis or pinkeye)(follow doctor directives)
  • Influenza (follow doctor directives) 
  • Throat infection (Strep- Need at least 24 hours of antibiotic treatment)
  • Covid-19 (Must be 24 hours symptom free)
  • Chicken Pox (follow doctor directives)

With many bacterial infections, it is safe to go back to school after appropriate treatments, including:

  • After 24 hours of antibiotic therapy for strep throat and impetigo 
  • After a single treatment for scabies and head lice 
  • After 5 days of antibiotics for pertussis (whooping cough) infections 

Viral infections, which usually do not have any treatments, are usually contagious for a period of time.
Please follow the advice of your doctor for cases such as chicken pox etc.
A student that has a high temperature or communicable disease should not be sent to school.
Students who experience illness or exhaustion while at school will be sent home should it be deemed that they are unwell and unable to participate in class activities.


When students show signs of colds, flu, or other communicable diseases, the school will contact parents to pick up their children.
It shall be the school’s decision to send the child home, not the parents.
The decision would be made based on a fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 degrees Fahrenheit) and/or other symptoms of illness.
Parents are asked to have emergency, contingency plans ready for this possibility.

In the event of an accident or serious illness, the student will be taken to a medical facility/clinic and the school will endeavor to notify the parents immediately.

If your student is absent for more than 3 days, for any of the above reasons, a doctor’s note may be required to be considered an “excused absence” to be cleared to return to school.

School Office Contact Details

Should you have any attendance or health-related questions, feel free to contact us any time.

School Reception - 8:30AM~3:30PM
Phone - 090-9546-1074
Email - hello@zoeinternationalschool.com
Circle - Zoe International School