Attendance/Absences
State law requires all student absences to be verified. Parents/guardians must call the school whenever a student will be absent.
Our primary concern when a child is absent is to ensure the child’s safety. Therefore, it is crucial that the school office is aware of your child’s whereabouts if they are absent or will be late. It is your responsibility to call the school absence line to report your child’s absence.
If an absence is not reported, the school will contact parents using the provided numbers in Infinite Campus. Please ensure the school has current phone numbers on file. Unreported and unverified absences will be marked as truant.
Regular Attendance: Regular, on-time attendance is crucial. Absences can negatively affect progress, work habits, and attitudes. "Attend Today – Achieve Tomorrow" is our guiding mantra.
Reporting an Absence: Parents/guardians must call the school absence line before the start of the school day. Provide your child's full name, teacher’s name, date, and reason for the absence. Do not leave this information on the teacher’s voicemail or email.
If your child is absent and you do not call:
- The school will attempt to contact you using the provided phone numbers.
- Ensure the school has current phone numbers.
- Unreported and unverified absences will be marked as truant.
Valid Reasons for Absence:
- Illness
- Death in the immediate family
- Family emergency
- Religious holidays
- Mental or behavioral health reasons
- Situations beyond the student’s control
- Safety or health concerns
Students absent for these reasons can make up missed work. Vacations during school days are discouraged and considered unexcused. Teachers are not required to provide work for such absences.
After-School Activities: Students absent for a full day cannot participate in after-school activities that day. They must attend at least half of the school day to be eligible.
Arriving Late: Students must arrive on time. Late arrivals disrupt class and result in lost instruction time. Late arrivals must get a pass from the office. Repeated tardiness will be monitored, and parents will be notified.
Monitoring Absences, Tardiness, and Truancy: The Illinois State Board of Education defines full and half-day attendance, tardiness, and truancy:
- Late for school (≤30 minutes) = Tardy
- Leave ≤30 minutes before end = Early Pick-up
- Attendance >150 but <300 minutes = Half Day Absent
- Attendance <150 minutes = Full Day Absent
A truant is a child absent without valid cause. Chronic truancy involves absences without valid cause for 5% or more of the previous 180 school days. Support services will be provided, but if they fail, further action may be taken.
Addressing Absence Issues: Persistent absenteeism will be assessed, and appropriate procedures will be developed. These may include counseling, health evaluations, and clinical evaluations by local/state agencies.
Support Services:
- Parent-teacher conferences
- Counseling
- Case study evaluations
- Alternative educational programs
- Community agency referrals
- Medically certified homebound instruction for ongoing medical issues
Leaving During the School Day: Students cannot leave school grounds during the day without being signed out by a parent or guardian. A note stating the reason, date, time, and person picking up the student should be directed to the office. Identification is required for pick-up. Students returning to school must sign in and get a pass to return to class.
Vacations: Vacations during school days are unexcused. Notify the school in writing at least one week before the planned absence. Teachers are not required to provide homework for vacations.
Mental Health Support Days: Students aged 6 to 17 can take up to five mental health days per year without a doctor’s note. Report these days through the attendance line. Schools will check in if more than two mental health days are taken in a school year.
Missed Homework: For excused absences, students will be provided make-up work. They will have one day to make up homework for each day absent. Teachers are not required to provide homework for unexcused absences, such as vacations.
The Importance of Attendance
About 1 in 4 students in Illinois misses about one month of school each year. Missing just one to two days a month may not seem significant, but over time, it adds up. Missing as few as 10 days a year can slow academic growth and achievement in both reading and math. This impact may prevent a student from meeting grade-level targets.
Absences impact all students, even those already above grade level. Advanced students may miss out on important academic enrichment opportunities, such as advanced math, due to several absences.
Every Day Counts Initiative
Our initiative uses a four-point plan to improve attendance:
- Increased Parent Communication: We will keep you informed through texts, emails, and newsletters.
- Education and Tips: We will provide parents/guardians with tips and information to promote good attendance habits.
- Early Intervention: Our recalibrated intervention systems will help students feel connected and motivated to come to school. This support is available to any student in need.
- Support and Guidance: We will offer guidance on when to send your child to school and when to keep them home.
Excused and Unexcused Absences: The Differences
In our school district, absences are considered excused or unexcused based on whether they have a valid cause. Here's a simple way to understand the difference:
Excused Absence
An absence is excused when the reason is outside the family’s control. Examples include:
- Illness (including mental health days)
- Doctor or dentist appointments
- Family emergencies (such as a funeral or serious issue)
- Religious holidays or observances
- Family Member Military Deployment
Make sure to notify the school about the reason for your child’s absence to ensure it is marked correctly.
Unexcused Absence
An absence is unexcused if it could have been avoided and thus does not have a valid cause. Examples include:
- Oversleeping
- Missing the bus
- Vacations or trips
- Sporting events, practices, or tournaments.
- Family events or personal reasons that were within the family’s control
Why It Matters
Tracking excused and unexcused absences helps us identify when your child might need support. Frequent absences may prompt your school to offer support. This support is tailored to the type of absences, excused or unexcused, that are occurring.
If you have any questions about whether an absence is excused or unexcused, please contact the school office for clarification. We’re here to help!