To meet our mutual goal for student success, we participate in a partnership and shared expectation among school, parent and student that students will be present on time, throughout each day of school.
Excused Absence
Absence that is excused by a parent for a valid reason. The following are examples of school recognized valid reasons to excuse a student:
A doctor's note may be required to excuse a student or for admission to school at any time the administration deems it necessary. Failure to comply with such a request will result in an "unexcused" absence and follow up with:
Truancy
Absence that is not designated as excused or unexcused. Truancy is further defined as:
Interventions to address Truancy include, but are not limited to:
Unexcused Absence
When a student is unexcused, the parent may recognize the absence as being valid or legitimate, however the school does not. The following, even with parental consent are considered to be unexcused absences:
Visiting out of town or college visit (unless absence is excused following the guidelines of the prearranged process)
Interventions to address unexcused absences include, but are not limited to:
Tardy
Students must be in the classroom when the bell rings. Students who arrive in the room after the bell rings are tardy.
Reporting Student Absences
If a students is going to be absent, his/her parent or guardian must telephone the attendance office no later than 45 minutes after the start of school on the day of the absence. When parent(s)/guardian(s) are out of town, they are expected to designate a responsible adult to phone in the absence.
If there is a question about whether an absence will be considered excused or unexcused, check in advance with the building administration.
Please consider the following:
Appointments During the Day
Students must have a "Permit to Leave the Building" issued through the attendance office prior to their departure. If they have not secured this permit to leave they are considered to be truant until they are excused by a parent/guardian. (However, they will be subject to disciplinary actions for a campus violation.) Upon their return they must check into the attendance office.
Prearranged Absences
Prearranged absence with the following restrictions and procedures:
(a) Students must apply for the privilege of using the prearranged absence days through the attendance office. They will be given a Prearranged Absence Form to be signed by their teachers and parents. This completed form MUST be turned it TWO SCHOOL DAYS prior to the date of the prearranged absence or absence will be recorded as "Unexcused".
(b) The building principal or designee has the authority to grant up to five (5) school days of excused absences:
(c) Excused absences resulting from approved preplanned absences(s) shall be limited to five(5) days per year and may not be cumulative through a student's career.
(d) A student will not be eligible for an excused absence if the request for a preplanned absence covers the final week of a quarter and/or semester.
(e) Students have full make-up privilege and must initiate make-up work.
Extended Absences
Students absent for an illness or injury that extends beyond one week (five(5) consecutive school days) should contact their counselor as soon as possible and are required to have a conference with the school nurse before returning to class.
A doctor's note may be required for admission to school at any time the building administration deems it necessary. Failure to comply with such a request will cause the absence to be recorded as unexcused and notification to Kane County Truancy and local law enforcement will be made.
Field Trips
Students who plan to participate in a field trip must submit a "Parental Permission Form" prior to the time of the trip. This form may be obtained from the field trop sponsor and should be signed by the parent and returned to the sponsor.
Students are responsible for keeping up with work missed as a result of the field trip. Students should have a "Field Trip Permission Form" signed by all their teachers for prior approval. Students will not be excused from tests or other obligations on the day they return. This type of absence is approved by the school and allows for full make-up of missed work.
Fifteen (15) Days of Absence during a 90 day Period
A medical report from student's physician is required explaining the absence. If not report is resented, notification to Kane County Truant Officer may follow.
Total Absence Policy (High School Only)