Important Attendance Information:
Regular school attendance is vital to support student learning and achievement in school. The state requires that attendance be reported in hours of missed instruction. The state defines absences as:
What is an excused absence?
Excused absences are those considered to be excused per board policy. A parent or guardian must notify the school of each absence. This can be done via phone, email, or written note to the school. Excused absences accumulate towards the excessive absence threshold.
What is a medically excused absence?
If a student misses school for a medical reason or appointment, a medical note from the provider substantiates that absence as medically excused. This medical note prevents those missed hours from accumulating towards excessive absences or habitual truancy. If your student misses school for a medical appointment or an illness under the supervision of a medical provider, please request medical documentation from the provider excusing school attendance. This medical note must include specific dates of service and indicate the anticipated or actual time missed from school.
Physician notes should be submitted immediately upon return to school.
What is an unexcused absence?
Unexcused absences are considered unexcused per board policy, including absences in excess of 65 excused hours (without a medical note).
Unexcused absences accumulate towards the habitual truancy threshold. Students who are habitually truant are required by law to have an attendance intervention plan. This plan, created collaboratively with the school, the family, and the student, identifies barriers to attendance and solutions to increase school attendance.
What is an unverified absence?
Unverified absences indicate that the school has not received communication from a parent or caregiver regarding an absence.
