General School Policies
School Attendance Policy
The State of Hawaii’s compulsory attendance law (Chapter 298 of Hawaii Revised Statutes) requires all children between six and eighteen years of age to attend school.
1. All students are to attend school regularly and are expected to be in school on time. Students must be in the classroom, or on a school-related activity, for a minimum of 3 hours (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) or 2.5 hours (Wednesday) to be marked “present” for the day. If present for less than half of the school day, the student will be marked “absent.”
2. Students reporting to the homerooms after the 7:55 a.m. tardy bell must report to the school office for a tardy admittance pass.
3. When a child is absent from school, a parent or guardian must notify the school by completing the Report an Absence Google form by 7:30 a.m. explaining the nature of the absence. Authorized absences include:
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- illness/injury
- medical/dental appointment that cannot be scheduled before or after school
- death in family
- court attendance
- emergency situation
- special cases as approved by administration
4. If it is necessary to take a child out during instructional hours, students are released to parents or guardians only through the school’s office.
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- Please call the office and notify your child’s teacher ahead of time – giving date, time and reason for release.
- At the designated time, Parent/Guardian/Authorized Adult should check-in at the school’s office where they may be asked to provide proof of identity.
- Please wait at the office until your child is brought from their classroom. Students will not be released directly from their classrooms.
- Parent/Guardian/Authorized Adult will sign out and obtain a Student Pass before leaving campus.
5. Depending on the frequency of a child’s absences, parents/guardians will receive attendance notification letters as follows:
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- “Letter A” from the child’s counselor after a total of five (5) unexcused absences from school
- “Letter B” from the child’s grade level counselor after a total of eight (8) unexcused absences from school
- “Letter C” from the administrator after a total of twelve (12) unexcused absences from school
Upon receipt of each letter, parent/guardian should sign the letter and return it to the child’s teacher.
Receipt of “Letter B” also requires the scheduling of a parent conference with the school counselor.
Receipt of “Letter C” also requires the scheduling of a parent conference with the administrator.
Moanalua Elementary School strongly believes that regular and prompt attendance is a key component to a child’s success in school (General Learner Outcome (GLO) #1 - being responsible for one’s own learning). Extended absences from school may result in academic consequences. Please enjoy family vacations during non-instructional days and breaks as indicated on our school year calendar.
Drop Off & Pick Up Policy
Arrival:
- The school day begins at 7:50 a.m.; the tardy bell rings at 7:55 a.m., coinciding with the daily flag raising ceremony.
- When students arrive at school each day, they should sit quietly outside their classroom or their designated waiting area to await the arrival of their teacher. Students will be limited in what they do before school. Therefore, parents are to drop off students no earlier than 7:30 a.m., unless they are registered with YMCA for morning care.
- Parents may drop off students starting 7:15 a.m. if students will be eating school breakfast in the cafeteria.
Dismissal:
- Dismissal is at 2:10 p.m. except on Wednesday, when dismissal is at 12:55 p.m.
- Students should leave campus promptly after school unless enrolled in A+ or after school program.
- Students may not wait on campus before or after athletic practices and/or programs at the swimming pool or recreation center. Parents must make arrangements for their children to be picked up immediately after school.
- Students may not be on the field or playground equipment before or after school hours.
- Except in the case of an emergency, the school personnel may not be available to relay messages to students. Please confirm arrangements with your child ahead of time.
School ID Policy
For safety reasons, the school ID must be worn and be visible at all times when on campus. One ID is provided at no charge during the first week of school. Students are not allowed to deface their school ID. Any ID badge that is deemed unrecognizable must be replaced. Replacement IDs may be purchased for $3.00 (cash only) at the school office.