Attendance Expectations

Regular and punctual school attendance is essential for academic success in school. When a student is absent from class or school, the continuity of the instructional process is disrupted, and the benefits of classroom instruction are lost. Following is a list of important information for students and parents/guardians:

• All students will attend school everyday, on time.

• Parents/guardians are responsible for their child’s daily and timely attendance.

• Parents/guardians will not keep students from school while it is in session.

• Parents/guardians are responsible for reporting their child’s absence on the same day, before the official opening of school. In case of an emergency that prevents this from happening, parents/guardians must send a note explaining the absence with the student when s/he returns to school.

• Reporting an absence is not the same as excusing it. The Superintendent or his/her designee (usually the building principal) is the only person that can legally excuse an absence.

• The only “excusable” reasons to keep a child/youth from attending school are: students’ illness, religious observance, court obligation and/or a major family emergency (accident, serious illness/quarantine, death). Please check in with your school if you have any questions. HS students are allowed to have three college visits. Please check with the guidance office for details.

• Students must present a note upon their return to school after three consecutive days.

• Tardiness will not be excused. Three tardies will equal an unexcused absence.

• After fourteen (14) cumulative or consecutive days of being out sick, students may be eligible for home or hospital tutoring.

• There are several weeks in the school calendar designated for vacation/holiday time out of school. Families are advised to plan all trips and visits during these weeks.

• Parents/guardians will be held responsible for failure to send their children to school and/or not bringing them to school on time.

• The schools have partnered with the Northwest District Attorney’s Office to implement the School is Where It’s At (SIWIA) program to provide a continuum of services and support to families, children and schools when issues of attendance arise.