Attendance & Truancy
Academic success is directly impacted by good attendance. If your student is going to be absent, please contact the office the morning of the absence before 8:30 AM and provide the reason for the absence so it can be recorded as excused or unexcused. If we do not get a call or note from a parent or guardian, we WILL call to make sure we do not have a student who is absent without parental permission or knowledge. (See Attendance Works Infographic).
By Kansas statute, if a student has three consecutive unexcused absences, more than 5 absences in a semester, or 7 absences in a year, whichever occurs first, the school is required to send a letter informing the parent or guardian that not attending school will result in a truancy report to the Department of Children and Families.
Missed Work Due to Absence
Students will be allowed one day for each day missed, plus one additional day, to make up work for excused absences. Teachers are advised to record an automatic “0” if make-up work is not completed within the time limit designated. Teachers have the right to make up schoolwork missed during the absence before and after school, or during recess. Exceptions to this policy may be made by the building administrator(s) or by the teacher and the time allowed for make-up work extended.
Tardies
Tardies are a disruption to learning for all students in your child’s classroom. Please ensure your student arrives on time. After 8 tardies, students may serve an after school detention to make up for missed time and work.
Excused absences
The following are acceptable reasons for an excused absence:
Student illness (The administration reserves the right to require a doctor’s note with three consecutive days or five absences in a semester.)
Serious illness of an immediate family members
Death of a family member
Medical/Dental/Mental Health appointments (Must bring a note from the medical professional to excuse absence.)
Religious observances
Absences that pre-arranged by parents and approved by Administration (See BOE Policy JBD)
Unexcused absences
Any other absences would be considered unexcused and apply towards the truancy policy. Examples:
Parent permission/sick days over the allotted amount (listed above)
Oversleeping
Missing the bus/car trouble
Home chores/babysitting
Personal appointments (hair appointments, pictures, etc.)
Excessive Absences
If your student is nearing 3 absences in a quarter, you will be contacted by our Family Advocate with resources and support for attendance, which may include an attendance contract. After a student has missed a total of 5 days, they will receive an approaching maximum absences letter. When a student has missed a total of 7 days, they will receive a hit maximum absences letter and a parent conference may be required. Any further absences will require verification from an appropriate source (i.e. doctor, dentist, therapist, etc.), insufficient verification of further absences will be considered unexcused, and the student will be reported truant. Students who are hospitalized, suffering from a long-term illness (an illness of 4 or more days in a row), or have a chronic medical condition while under the care of a licensed physician, will be exempt from the absence limit. Insufficient verification of further absences will be considered unexcused, and the student will be reported truant to the proper authorities per the Truancy Policy.
Note: Absences sanctioned by the home are not necessarily accepted by the school; therefore, all foreseeable absences should be discussed with the administration before missing school.
Truancy
Truancy is defined as any three consecutive unexcused absences, any 5 unexcused absences in a semester, or 7 unexcused absences in a school year, whichever occurs first. When a student becomes truant, the principal shall send a letter to the student’s parent or guardian notifying them that the student’s continued failure to attend school without a valid excuse shall result in the student being reported to the appropriate authority. The letter shall be sent before reporting the truancy to either the Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) if the student is less than 13 years of age, or the county or district attorney, if the student is 13 or more years of age. (See BOE Policy JBE)
