Parent Excused Absences
Parents are asked to call the office of their child's school by 8:20 a.m. on the morning of an absence. Parents should provide a written excuse upon return to school only if they have not called to report the student absence. Students and/or parents are responsible for contacting teachers regarding make-up work. Listed is a summary of excused absences per Board policy:
- Illness or personal injury.
- Appointments including medical, legal, social services, psychological, or court of law.
- Suspension from school.
- Impassable roads and extreme weather conditions which endanger the student's safety.
- Family or community emergencies/crisis/celebration.
- Absences due to penalties imposed by the court system or due to legal placement in an alternative center by another public agency.
- Religious instruction or holiday.
Administration may excuse additional absences if parents communicate the circumstance/situation.
Pre-Planned Absence
Students should bring a note from parents and pick up a Pre-Planned Absence Form from the office well in advance of an absence. Students will take the form and have it signed by all of their teachers. When complete, return it to the office. It is the responsibility of the student to make up work for any absence. Students are encouraged to complete assignments ahead of time so that they are not overloaded upon their return
Unexcused Absence
Unexcused absences demonstrate a disregard for the educational program and are considered a serious matter. Absence from school for all or part of a day for reasons other than those defined under excused absences will be marked as unexcused. Failure of the parent to notify the school office of the reason for an absence will cause that absence to be unexcused. An administrator may issue consequences for unexcused absences.
Truancy
Truancy is when a student is absent from a class or classes without the knowledge and consent of the parent and staff. School personnel will work with the student, parents, social workers, and the court system to resolve truancy issues pursuant to state law. An administrator or police school liaison officer may issue detentions, habitual truancy and/or simple truancy citations. Students are required to make up time missed due to truancy. Truancy court can be avoided with strong two-way communication between the parents and the school.
Tardiness
Tardiness is disruptive to the learning process. A student who is late for school must report to the office with:
- A parent/guardian or
- A call received by the office from the parent/guardian or
- Have a note from the parent/guardian explaining the reason for the tardiness, or
- Have a note from a provider; and sign-in at the office before proceeding to class.
A student arriving late to school without parent/guardian contact, will be considered tardy unexcused/truant. Disciplinary infractions may be assigned for repeated tardiness.
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