2024-25 Family Handbook
Attendance/Absences
Attendance
501 - Student Attendance
501.3 - Compulsory AttendanceDaily attendance is required for all students, including students who are enrolled in the district online learning program. Regular school attendance is essential to obtaining all the learning opportunities offered within the district’s educational programs. The daily attendance of each student is recorded and maintained on file by the records custodian, which is overseen by the building principal.
Compulsory Attendance
Parents within the school district who have children over age six and under age sixteen by September 15, in proper physical and mental condition to attend school, will have the children attend the school district at the attendance center designated by the board. Students will attend school the number of days school is in session in accordance with the school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance age will attend school a minimum of 1,080 hours. Students not attending the minimum days must be exempted by this policy referred to the county attorney.Students absent from school or class without reasonable excuse as determined by the building administrator/designee and in violation of District policy shall be deemed truant and subject to disciplinary sanctions.
The compulsory attendance statutes place the responsibility with the parent(s) to cause a child to attend school for an entire period when schools are in session in any school year. Violation of this responsibility will require referral to the County Attorney for appropriate action.
The following reasons for absence from school shall be considered as excused absences by the building administrator/designee:
Personal illness or accident;
Death or serious illness/injury in the immediate family, household, or close friendship;
Recognized religious observances which have been given prior approval by the building administrator/designee;
Medical/dental or business appointments which cannot be made other than during school times;
Educational trips which have been given prior approval by the building administrator/designee;
Family vacations which have been given prior approval by the building administrator/designee; or,
Other compelling situations which are approved by the building administrator/designee if suitable reasons are submitted.
ABSENCE BECAUSE OF ATTENDANCE AT A SCHOOL SPONSORED TRIP OR ACTIVITY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AN ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL. HOWEVER, THE STUDENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE UP WORK MISSED.
Schoolwork missed because of an absence must be completed to the satisfaction of each teacher whose class or classes were missed.
When students can anticipate absences, every effort should be made in advance of the absence to obtain assignments.
When an absence was not anticipated, all schoolwork must be made up in accordance with attendance guidelines of the school.
Students have the opportunity to receive full credit for schoolwork made up because of an "excused" absence.
If students fail to make up the work missed, they will fail that portion of the work not completed and this will be averaged with other grades.
Tardy students not only affect their own studies, but also interfere with the progress of those students who are prompt. Tardiness to class creates an obvious interruption and confusion for all class members.
Appeal
Any time students or parents are concerned about the disposition of an attendance violation, they are encouraged to contact the teacher or building administrator for clarification.
Teacher's Decision: Students and parents wishing to have a review of a teacher's decision regarding tardiness, attendance, and make-up work rendered under the attendance policies of the school district may do so by filing a written request for review with the principal within five school days after the teacher's decision was rendered. The principal will determine a mutually agreeable time, place, and date for the review and notify the student, parents and teacher accordingly. At the appointed time, the parties attending the review will meet to discuss the matter informally. Following the review, the principal shall affirm, reverse, or modify the teacher's decision.
Principal's Decision: Students, parents, and teachers may obtain a review of a principal's decision under the attendance policies of the school district by filing a written request for review within five school days with the Superintendent. The Superintendent or designee will determine a mutually agreeable time, place and date for the review and notify the interested persons accordingly. At the conclusion of the review, the Superintendent or designee shall affirm, reverse, or modify the principal's decision.
Superintendent's Decision: Students, parents, and teachers may appeal the Superintendent's decision in a given case by filing a written request for review within five school days with the Secretary of the Board of Education. The Board of Education may determine a mutually agreeable time, place, and date for the review and notify the interested persons accordingly. In cases where the disciplinary penalty for the unexcused absence is more than five days, the Board of Education may at its discretion determine whether to hear the appeal. At the conclusion of the review, the Board of Education shall affirm, reverse, or modify the Superintendent's decision.
These policies should pertain to all special education students except in those cases related to the handicapping condition(s) of the student.
Absences
Student absences are a concern requiring the cooperative effort of students, parents and the school staff. Repeated absences and tardiness not only impedes an individual’s studies, but also interferes with the instruction of students who are regular and prompt in attendance. While it is possible for an absent student to make up school work missed, it is impossible to recreate all the activities, demonstrations, and interactions that occurred during the student’s absence.
Absence Notification
It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the student’s school office as soon as the parent knows the student will not be attending school on that day. The principal may request evidence or written verification of the student’s reason for absence.
When the student's absence is caused by a suspension or expulsion, such absence will be treated as an administrative absence rather than excused or unexcused absence.
Chronic Absenteeism
The Iowa Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10 percent or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused - for vacation, health conditions, suspensions etc.
Being present in school everyday matters. In addition to chronic absenteeism predicting low academic success, it also predicts which students may eventually drop out of school. Being chronically absent from school makes it hard for a student to keep up with the pace at which they are expected to learn and grow, causing students to fall behind. Students who are chronically absent also miss out on opportunities to build friendships at school, become active in their school community and pursue future career interests.
Excused Absence
While it is possible for a student absent from school to make up much of the school work missed, it is impossible to completely compensate for absence from class. Therefore, any absence from class creates the potential for a severe hardship for the student. This is true regardless of the reason for the absence (illness, planned trips, family vacations, truancy, etc.) It is the intent of this policy to address excessive absences from school. The term "excessive absence" may include a combination of excused and/or unexcused absences.
The following absences are exempt from the absence policy. It is important that parent/guardian contact the administration immediately when these situations occur:
Hospitalization or extended illness/accident, which requires extended care. Any student absence due to illness/accident that goes beyond five (5) continuous school days must be verified by a doctor, dentist, or school nurse.
Death or serious illness/injury in the immediate family or household.
Attendance at a school sponsored and supervised activity when class requirements have been completed by the student before the activity.
Any absence approved exempt by the administration. All absences exempt from the excessive absence policy requires parental notification and administrator approval.
Make-Up Work
Make-up work shall be provided upon request by the student or parent/guardian. Failure to make arrangements for make-up work may result in loss of credit for school work missed during an excused absence.
In the case of an emergency absence related to personal serious illness or death in the family, a plan for make-up work will be handled on an individual basis with the classroom teacher and/or building principal.
School-Sponsored Activities
Students who wish to participate in school-sponsored activities must attend school the entire day of the activity unless permission has been given by the building principal/designee for the student to be absent.
Tardies
Tardy students not only affect their own studies, but also interfere with the progress of those students who are prompt. Tardiness to class creates an obvious interruption and confusion for all class members. In the event that your child is going to be late, please call and let the office know. Upon arriving, the student is to check in at the office and get a pass before going to his or her class. Tardiness may be excused or unexcused at the discretion of the building administrator/designee.
Trips and Vacations
Planned trips and family vacations are expected to coincide with school vacation periods on the school district calendar. If it is absolutely necessary for a child to be absent from school because of a planned trip or family vacation, then a parent should discuss the approaching absence with the classroom teacher to learn the impact this absence will have on a child’s educational progress.
Truancy- Unexcused Absence
The term "unexcused absence" means any non-attendance by the student without permission of the building administrator/designee. The following examples are considered unexcused absences:
Absence without permission of the building principal/designee.
Family vacations which have not been given prior approval by the building administrator/designee.
Work outside of school when not approved by the building principal/designee.
Leaving school without administrator/designee approval.
The building administrator will investigate the cause for a student's truancy. If the principal is unable to secure the truant student's attendance, the student will be subject to further action in accordance with the law including referral to the county attorney.
The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The superintendent and/or designee will represent the school district in mediation. The school district will monitor the student's compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the County Attorney.