• STUDENT ATTENDANCE & ABSENCE PROCEDURES

    Absence

    In the event the student is absent from school, parents are required to contact the school office (not the teacher) stating the reason for the absence before the start of school. Failure on the part of the parent to report the student's absence requires the school to investigate the absence by a phone call beginning at 10:00 A.M. It is the student's responsibility to make up any work missed due to absence. Valid causes for absence are illness, observance of a religious holiday, death in the immediate family, family emergency, and includes such other situations beyond the control of the student as determined by the Board of Education, or such other circumstances which cause reasonable concern to the parent for the safety or the health of the student. In case of absence due to a communicable disease, a doctor's release may be necessary upon the student’s return.

    What is an excused absence?

    According to 105 ILCS 5/26-2a of the Illinois School Code, a valid reason for a student's absence from school is considered an excused absence:

    • Illness: Includes mental or behavioral health, and students can be excused for up to five days per school year for mental or behavioral health

    • Religious holiday: Students may be excused from classes, exams, or assignments on a particular day or time

    • Death in the immediate family: Or family emergency

    • Other situations beyond the student's control: As determined by the district's board of education

    • Circumstances that cause reasonable concern: For the student's mental, emotional, or physical health or safety, as determined by the parent or guardian

     

    What is an unexcused absence?

    • Returning to school after three consecutive absences without a valid doctor's note

    • Missing the bus

    • Oversleeping or alarm problems

    • Transportation issues

    • Vacation of more than 5 cumulative days in a school year

    • More than 9 cumulative days of illness without a doctor’s note – (each day of absence past 9 will require a doctor’s note or the absence will not be excused)

    • Other reasons that do not fit the excused category

     

     

    Below will be our actions steps we will be implementing this year in regards to attendance.

    Action Steps

    Attendance

    Illinois law requires that whoever has custody of any child between six (by September 1st) and seventeen years of age shall assure that the child attends school in the district in which he or she resides, during the entire time school is in session (unless the child has already graduated from high school). Illinois law also requires that whoever has custody or control of a child who is enrolled in the school, regardless of the child’s age, shall assure that the child attends school during the entire time school is in session. There are certain exceptions to the attendance requirement for children who: attend private school, are physically or mentally unable to attend school (including a pregnant student suffering medical complications as certified by her physician), are lawfully and necessarily employed, have a religious reason requiring absence, or are 16 or older and employed and enrolled in a graduation incentive program. Attendance, both punctual and regular, is important to a student's success. Regular attendance is a requirement for satisfactory schoolwork. Unfortunately, there are times when a student may not be able to attend school. The state of Illinois considers seventeen (17) days of absence excessive (Chronic). Parents will be contacted if this amount is exceeded in regards to this matter.

     

     

     

    Tardiness

    Students arriving at school after the beginning of their school session must report to the school office prior to entering class. They will receive an excused tardy. This information will be recorded in the permanent record of the student. Three tardies within a 30 day “rolling time period’ will result in notification to parents. 

     

    Truancy

    Truancy is any absence from class or school without the knowledge or consent of the parent and teacher. Valid causes for absence are illness, observance of a religious holiday, death in the immediate family, family emergency, and includes such other situations beyond the control of the student as determined by the Board of Education, or such other circumstances which cause reasonable concern to the parent for the safety or the health of the student. “Religion” for the purposes of truancy law, includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief. Ref. 105 ILCS 5/26-2a.

     

    Notes Required

    The school requires notes from parents or guardians if your child will be: 1. dismissed early for a special reason, i.e., doctor/dental appointments, etc. 2. excused from regular physical education activity and/or athletic practice for one day. (Medical absences longer than one day must be issued by a physician.)