Absences

Students are expected to attend all assigned classes. Regular attendance is a legal requirement and it is an important part of each course.

Reporting Student Absences

In June 2026, the Ontario Ministry of Education updated Growing Success to establish mandatory requirements for final evaluations in Grade 9-12. Beginning in September 2026, final grades must be determined using prescribed weightings for classroom assessment, final evaluation, and attendance and participation. These requirements provide a consistent provincial framework for determining final grades.

As per Ontario Regulation 288: 23(3), school attendance is mandatory, and the school will require written confirmation (note or email) from parent/guardian of the student for absences to be excused. Based on the Ministry’s definition, telephone calls or voicemail messages do not meet the requirements for an excused absence. Absences must be validated within 48hrs of return to school. The enrollment register instructions require written notification from the parent/guardian must identify;

  • student’s first and last
  • date(s) of the absence
  • time or period the student will be absent
  • reason for the absence 

To report an absence, please email: wod-attendance@wrdsb.ca

Please note if the above information is not included in the email, we will be unable to validate the absence.

Lates / Early Departures

  • If you are late or absent for any portion of the day, you must sign in/out with the attendance office. For example, if you have an appointment in the morning and arrive at school during the middle of lunch, you must proceed to the attendance office to sign in before going to your afternoon classes. It is expected that all absences are validated by a parent/legal guardian.

  • If you need to leave for an appointment during the day, we will need an email, a call, or a note from a parent/legal guardian PRIOR to your leaving. All students are required to come to the main office to sign out with the attendance secretary.

Adult Status

Under the Age of Majority and Education Acts, adult status means any person who attains 18 years of age. When students turn 18, information about their academic progress, attendance, and access to their records can no longer be provided to their parents/guardians without the student’s written consent. If adult students wish to authorize school staff to continue sharing their information with their parents/guardians, they have the option of completing the Consent for Information Sharing – Adult Students form and returning it to the school office. Adult students also have the right to change these permissions/contacts at any time by submitting a new form with the amended information.

Adult Status Forms can be found in the main office or by clicking the link below.

https://www.wrdsb.ca/wp-content/uploads/IS-18-BB-AdultStudentForm.pdf