• 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.

     Examples of Excused Absences:

    • illness (absences exceeding three days may require a physician statement).

    • Medical/Dental appointments (we highly encourage you to make these appointments outside of school hours).

    • Required county/state court appointments.

    • Religious instruction (Not to exceed 3 hours in one week).

    • Driver's license test.

    • Serious family emergency i.e. funeral.

    • Special requests from parents (pre-arranged with Assistant Principal).

    • Family vacation/sporting events.

     

    Unexcused Absences:

    • Oversleeping/alarm failure

    • Leaving school during the regular school day without approval of a school official or other non-emergency situations.

    • Personal grooming appointments (hair, nails, tanning, etc)

    • Employment/job interview

    • Shopping/errands

    • Skipping class/leaving campus without following proper procedure

    • Family vacations that have not been pre-approved

    • Needed at home/babysitting

    • Car trouble

    • Missing the bus/ride

    • Needing sleep or rest

     

    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 Regional Office of Education considers ten (10) days of absence excessive. Parents may 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.)