Required Attendance
Every person residing in the District who has legal or actual charge or control of a child who is of mandatory attendance age must ensure that the child regularly attends a public or private school or is receiving a home-school education unless the child has satisfied District graduation requirements or is otherwise exempt from Michigan’s compulsory attendance requirements.
Mandatory Attendance Age
A child who is or will turn 6 years old before December 1 of the current school year and who has not turned 18 years old is of mandatory attendance age.
Exceptions
A parent/guardian of a child who is at least 16 years old may provide the District with written notice that the child has permission to stop attending school. Upon receipt of the written notice, the child will be exempt from this Policy.
Excused Absences
The following absences will be considered excused if they are confirmed by communication to the school from the student’s parent/guardian:
• the student’s physical or mental illness (a physician’s verification is required);
• medical appointments for the student (a physician’s verification is required);
• death or serious illness of the student’s family member;
• appearance at court or for other legal matters;
• observance of religious holidays of the student’s own faith;
Excessive Absenteeism and Truancy
When a student is absent 10% of the school year the building principal or designee will provide written notice to the student’s parent/guardian encouraging the student’s regular daily attendance and explaining the truancy process.
If the Superintendent or designee determines that a student is repeatedly absent from school without valid excuse, is failing, or has behavior problems, and attempts to confer with the student’s parent/guardian have not been successful, the Superintendent or designee may request the attendance officer who has jurisdiction in the District to send notice to the parent/guardian requiring the parent/guardian to meet with District personnel to discuss the matter.
When a student is absent 10% of the school year the building principal or designee will notify the attendance officer who has jurisdiction in the District. Once notified, the attendance officer will investigate each case of nonattendance and will take all other steps permitted and required by law.
The building principal or designee may impose additional consequences for excessive absenteeism, consistent with the student handbook or published grading procedures.
Attendance Codes
Absence Verified: (AV) = an absence that has been verified by written statement, parent phone call, or personal confirmation with the office before 3:00PM.
Excused Absence: (AE) = Absences that meet the definition of an Excused Absence based on MPPS Board Policy.
School Related Absence: (SS) = an absence that is approved by the school for field trips, athletic events, conferences (with a teacher or counselor), special programs and activities.
Unexcused Absence: (AU) = an absence from class, other than an excused or school related absence. Unexcused absences from class shall be considered truancy and subject to discipline, including referral to the Gratiot-Isabella R.E.S.D. Truancy Officer.
Absent Tardy: (AT) = (> 5 minutes) absent tardy occurs when a student arrives to class five minutes after the tardy bell and/or is absent from class for up to half the class period, whether arriving late or departing early. If a student misses more than half the class period, a full absence will be recorded.
Excused Tardy: (TE) = A tardy is defined as the student not being in the classroom ready to learn when the class is scheduled to begin. The MPPS Board of Education outlines permissible circumstances for which a tardy may be excused. Students will be given an excused tardy pass to enter the classroom. Refer to the list under excused absences.
Unexcused Tardy: (TU) = (< 5 minutes) Parents may not excuse tardiness for anything other than the reasons approved by the Board of Education (See Excused Absence for a list of Board Approved excuses). Extenuating circumstances for tardiness may be directed to the administration for consideration.
*If a student arrives late, the student must check in at the office. A student may only leave school early if the student’s parent notifies the office or the student is an emancipated minor or follows the Age of Majority paperwork.
Truancy Process
Level I - 1st Time Student Reaches the 10% Standard
Parent/Guardian will receive phone calls via Thrill Share notifying them of each unexcused absence (AU/AV).
A Level I Truancy Letter will be sent home (via email) documenting the concern from the school.
Level II - 2nd Time Student Reaches the 10% Standard
Parent/Guardian will receive phone calls via Thrill Share notifying them of each unexcused absence (AU/AV).
A Level II Truancy Letter will be sent home (via email) documenting the concern from the school.
The GIRESD Truancy Officer will make contact with parent/guardian to set up a meeting to establish guidelines for the student’s attendance for the remainder of the year.
The GIRESD Truancy Officer will oversee the parent meeting.
Level III - 3rd Time Student Reaches the 10% Standard
Parent/Guardian will receive phone calls via Thrill Share notifying them of each unexcused absence (AU/AV).
The GIRESD Truancy Officer will notify the Prosecutor’s Office and provide information to the Prosecutor’s office for review.
