Policies & procedures
- Attendance policy
- Student expectations
- Dress code
- ID badge expectations
- Personal electronic device policy (cell phones)
- Tardy policy
- Student parking (student drivers and parking)
- Admission Procedures
Attendance policy
Attendance
Attendance
Attendance is imperative to ensure students’ academic success. Attendance is required to obtain and keep a parking permit, earn exemptions, qualify for senior release, and/or obtain or renew a driver’s license. Attendance also determines if a student will have loss of credit (LOC) in one or more classes. Students who maintain perfect attendance are recognized each year.
Excused Absences
Excused absences
When a student is absent for a class or for a day, one of the following is required:
- A note written and signed by the parents, verification provided by the doctor or dentist office
- A note from the agency visited or from the organization represented (court, religious holidays, university, etc.)
The Attendance Office must receive notes within 3 days of the student returning to school. If it is not received within 3 days, the absence becomes an unexcused absence. FINAL DISCRETION ON EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES LIES WITH THE ATTENDANCE ADMINISTRATOR AND/OR PRINCIPAL. ALL OTHER ABSENCES ARE UNEXCUSED.
Skyward
Parents notes for illness may be entered online or see attendance information via their parent Skyward account. For more information about student attendance in Skyward, visit the district page for Skyward Family Access.
We can only accept six parent generated notes per semester. We can only accept these notes for the three dates following your students RETURN to school. Parent notes may be entered to cover one or two days of absence. Three consecutive days of absence require a doctor's note in order to be excused. The original of all doctor's notes must be turned in to the Attendance Office and should not be entered on-line. Notes received not meeting these requirements will be denied.
Juniors and Seniors are allowed two college visit days per year with proper documentation submitted to the attendance office. See attendance office for details.
Please note that any student that arrives after 7:50 AM or is signed out and picked up before 2:15 PM will be marked absent for the first or last period of the day. Also, any student who leaves campus without permission will be considered skipping and will receive consequence. All students leaving campus that are not part of work program, have courses at the GRCTC building, or early release/late arrival must sign out through attendance office.
Students who drive needing to leave campus for appointments or other personal reasons must give attendance office personnel parent authorization.
Unexcused Absences
Unexcused Absences
Students who accrue 3 unexcused absences at any time during the school year will generate a warning letter which will be emailed home to the email address on file. A phone call will be made the evening of which the warning letter was generated.
Students who accrue 10 or more unexcused absences will be subject to truancy court.
Any student who obtained an unexcused absence in any one class or more, will not qualify for exemptions at the end of the semester.
Any student, who arrives to school and is wanting to go home for illness after school has started, must be evaluated by a school nurse.
Skyward
Parents notes for illness may be entered online or see attendance information via their parent Skyward account. For more information about student attendance in Skyward, visit the district page for Skyward Family Access.
We can only accept six parent generated notes per semester. We can only accept these notes for the three dates following your students RETURN to school. Parent notes may be entered to cover one or two days of absence. Three consecutive days of absence require a doctor's note in order to be excused. The original of all doctor's notes must be turned in to the Attendance Office and should not be entered on-line. Notes received not meeting these requirements will be denied.
Juniors and Seniors are allowed two college visit days per year with proper documentation submitted to the attendance office. See attendance office for details.
Please note that any student that arrives after 7:50 AM or is signed out and picked up before 2:15 PM will be marked absent for the first or last period of the day. Also, any student who leaves campus without permission will be considered skipping and will receive consequence. All students leaving campus that are not part of work program, have courses at the GRCTC building, or early release/late arrival must sign out through attendance office.
Students who drive needing to leave campus for appointments or other personal reasons must give attendance office personnel parent authorization.
Loss of Credit
Loss of Credit
The Loss of Credit (LOC) list shows any student who has accumulated 5 or more absences (subject to change per semester) in a course and have fallen below the 90% compulsory attendance law. Please note Loss of Credit means a student will not receive the ½ credit for the course due to too many absences. This could require the student to take the course again, even if they have a passing grade. Unfortunately, all absences (Excused, Unexcused) count toward Loss of Credit.
Loss of Credit FAQs
- What is the Loss of Credit (LOC)Spreadsheet?
- The Loss of Credit spreadsheet shows any student who has accumulated too many absences (5 or more in the Fall semester/6 or more in the Spring semester) in a course and have fallen 90% compulsory attendance law.
- The Loss of Credit spreadsheet shows any student who has accumulated too many absences (5 or more in the Fall semester/6 or more in the Spring semester) in a course and have fallen 90% compulsory attendance law.
- What does “LOSS of Credit” mean?
- Loss of credit means you will not receive credit for the course due to having too many absences. You will receive an “AF” on your report card for your semester average. The numerical value of an “AF” is 69. This may require you to take the course again, even if you have a passing grade. This will also impact your GPA!
- Loss of credit means you will not receive credit for the course due to having too many absences. You will receive an “AF” on your report card for your semester average. The numerical value of an “AF” is 69. This may require you to take the course again, even if you have a passing grade. This will also impact your GPA!
- What if all of my absences are excused? Do I still lose credit?
- Unfortunately, all absences (Excused, Unexcused) count toward loss of credit, so, yes, too many excused absences will cause you to lose credit in a class.
- Unfortunately, all absences (Excused, Unexcused) count toward loss of credit, so, yes, too many excused absences will cause you to lose credit in a class.
- What can I do to earn my credit back?
- You must complete a Principal’s Plan and attend and document tutorials for the classes in which you have lost credit.
- You must complete a Principal’s Plan and attend and document tutorials for the classes in which you have lost credit.
- How many tutorials do I need to attend?
- The spreadsheet on the Canvas LOC link will show you how many minutes of tutorials you must attend in order to earn your credit back in a class if you were absent after the “AS OF” date listed then you will need to add additional tutorials to the total (30 min. for each additional absence in a class). This is updated every 3 weeks.
- The spreadsheet on the Canvas LOC link will show you how many minutes of tutorials you must attend in order to earn your credit back in a class if you were absent after the “AS OF” date listed then you will need to add additional tutorials to the total (30 min. for each additional absence in a class). This is updated every 3 weeks.
- How do I document my tutorials?
- Come by the attendance office and pick up a “Principal Plan” for Credit Restoration form. Take it with you when you attend tutorials and have your teacher sign. Make sure you write the number of minutes you attend for each tutorial.
- Come by the attendance office and pick up a “Principal Plan” for Credit Restoration form. Take it with you when you attend tutorials and have your teacher sign. Make sure you write the number of minutes you attend for each tutorial.
- What happens if I pass my classes but don’t turn in the required documentation?
- You will receive an “AF Semester Average” for all courses in which you have lost credit. This will impact your GPA, could result in you having to take the course again, and/or impact your ability to graduate on time.
- You will receive an “AF Semester Average” for all courses in which you have lost credit. This will impact your GPA, could result in you having to take the course again, and/or impact your ability to graduate on time.
- What happens if I fall below the 75% attendance level?
- You and your parent(s) must file an appeal with the Attendance Committee. This committee will determine whether you receive your credit for the courses in which you have lost credit.
- This form may be picked up in the Attendance Office. Documented tutorials will play a large role in the committee’s decision!
- When is the tutorial documentation and/or Appeal Form Due?
- The due date is listed on the Principal’s Plan form. It is usually 2-3 weeks before the end of a semester.
VOE
Verification of Enrollment
Students who are under the age of 18 and are wanting to apply for a Verification of Enrollment for a driving permit must request their VOE at the Attendance Office 24 hours in advance. Criteria for meeting a VOE is based on the 90 percent state requirement. Attendance is examined for the semester prior to application for the VOE.
Resources:
- Attendance clerk: Freneka McCuin
- Attendance office: 972-926-2700 ext. 60513
- GISD attendance guidelines
Student expectations
- Students will arrive on time to every class every day.
- Students will comply with GISD dress code (includes wearing ID badges at all times).
- Students will engage and take ownership of their own learning.
- Students will meet all behavior expectations in every class.
- Students will respect all students and staff.
- Students will represent South Garland High School with pride and integrity at all times.
Dress code
Tops:
- Shirts must fully cover the stomach, back, and midriff.
- Inappropriate designs are not allowed.
- No crop tops, spaghetti straps, halter tops, racerback tops, off-the shoulder tops, or see-through clothing.
- Hoods on any garment are not permitted (no hoodies or jackets with hoods).
- Leggings may be worn only if the shirt fully covers the front and back and not see-through.
Bottoms:
- Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be no shorter than (approximately 3 inches) above the knee.
- No sagging.
- Students may wear jeans ripped from the knee down. Jeans with rips above the knee are permitted only when tights or leggings are worn underneath.
- Pajama pants and other sleepwear are not permitted.
Shoes:
- No house shoes, slippers, fuzzy, or character slippers.
Backpacks
- Clear backpacks only. Students are not required to carry a backpack; however, if they choose to bring one, it must be clear.
ID badge expectations
All Garland ISD secondary students will be required to wear photo ID badges. These badges will help us with student safety and security. Visible photo identification will help our campus assure that everyone in the building both students and staff, is supposed to be on our campus. In addition, the ID badges can be used in the cafeteria, library, and technology.
These badges will be worn so that they are visible, preferably on a lanyard. There is no cost to students for the original ID badge, but should a student lose or damage his/her badge, there will be a replacement fee.
- ID and lanyard: $5
- ID only: $3
- Replacement lanyard: $2
- GISD policy can be found on the Safety Precaution page of the district site.
Personal electronic device policy (cell phones)
While cell phones and other electronic devices play a major role in our daily lives, their presence in our classrooms negatively impacts students' ability to focus, complete assignments, and succeed academically.
House Bill 1481 is a law that prohibits students from using personal digital communication devices during the school day.
District Policy on Student Personal Communication Device
Exceptions will be made for:
- Students with 504, Special Education, and/or Dyslexia accommodations as documented in their IEP/IAP
- Medically required orders by a doctor
Cell phones, personal electronic devices, and headphone usage for any other reason is prohibited. This policy aims to improve overall student achievement.
If a student is found to violate this policy and fails to follow the teacher’s initial attempt to redirect the behavior, a campus administrator will be notified immediately.
Personal Electronic Device Policy
Our goal is to ensure all students are successful. It is imperative that we eliminate distractions and interruptions often caused by personal communication devices.
Thank you for your support.
Tardy policy
Students are expected to be in class on time. The following procedures are in place to minimize classroom disruption and ensure student success.
Tardy Policy:
- Students are tardy if they are not in their seats, with all appropriate materials, when the bell rings at 7:30 a.m.
- When a student misses up to the first 20 minutes of any class it will be recorded as a tardy. After 20 minutes, he/she will be considered truant or absent.
- Excused Tardy - Students will be marked with an excused tardy if: they have a pass signed by the attendance secretary, which excused the tardy.
Unexcused Tardy - Students who exhibit a habitual pattern of unexcused tardiness will face disciplinary action.
- This disciplinary action may include counseling, detention, parent conferences, Saturday School, and/or exclusion from participation in extracurricular activities.
- Students with 5 or more tardies in a week period will be eligible for detention, Saturday School, and will be ineligible for extra-curricular activities, such as dances.
If a student earns an absence, the parent/guardian will need to verify the absence within 72 hours of the absence.
- This can be done by: accompanying the student to the Attendance Office, a written note signed by the parent/guardian or by calling the Attendance Office.
Student parking (student drivers and parking)
- All students who request a Parking Permit to use our parking lot, must show a valid driver's license and a proof of vehicle insurance in order to be granted a permit.
- You are expected to park in the student parking lot only.
- Immediately leave the parking lot after parking the car.
- Do not park on grass, staff or visiting parking areas.
- Drive slowly, (15 mph) while on school property.
- Do not smoke or loiter, etc. in or out of cars on school property.
- Arrive at school on time.
- Continued tardiness or parking/driving violations may result in loss of driving privileges. Cars may be towed for violation of school procedures.
- Cars in the school parking lot are suspect to search upon cause.
Parking fees
- $15 - Parking Permit (annual fee)
- $15 - Replacement Permit
Admission Procedures
SGHS is happy to enroll new students. There is, however, a set of procedures one must adhere to in order to enroll students for classes. The enrollment process will go a lot faster if parents and students come prepared.
Hours of Enrollment
New students may be enrolled at South Garland High School between 7:30 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. Monday through Friday with the exception of student holidays and test days. New enrollments will not be processed after 9:30 a.m.
Required Documents for Enrollment
The following items are required by GISD for a student to be enrolled in school. Please make sure that all of the listed documents are brought with you at the time of enrollment.
- Proof of Residency
- Current Electric, Gas or Water Bill (in the parent or guardian's name) OR
- Lease Agreement with Student's Name Listed as an Occupant
- Parent or Guardian's Driver's License
- Shot Records
- Birth Certificate
- Social Security Card
- Transcript or Report Card
- Withdraw Papers from Previous School
Online student services requests
Do you need to enroll your child, request a transfer, withdraw or request a transcript? It's easy to start these common processes at home. Visit Online Student Services page to get started. If you have any questions please contact our data clerk.
Data clerk: Rita Alvarado
Phone: 972-926-2700 ext. 60586
Campus Improvement Plan
A Campus Improvement Plan serves as the blueprint for how a campus will address performance objectives and other campus needs that have been identified from a Campus Needs Assessment.
Title 1
The Campus Parent Involvement Policy explains how our campus supports the important role of parents in the education of their children. We offer a Parent Compact to establish a partnership among parents, school staff, and students for improving student academic achievement.