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514 A: Student Attendance - Indus Grades 7-12

Revised: Feb 9, 2005 A. Attendance Procedures For All Students In Indus Grades 7-12 1. A maximum of ten absences per class period/day will be allowed per semester. Upon the eleventh absence the student will receive a failing grade for the semester, subject to review and appeal procedures. 2. When a student reaches five, eight, and ten absences, a letter will be sent home notifying the parent/guardian. If a student acquires eleven (11) absences per semester, the parent/guardian will be notified in writing by the school office that the student has lost credit for a class(es). If the parent would like to appeal the loss of credit because there is a reason, such as long term illness, they should contact the building principal in writing with any pertinent information about the absences to request an appointment for an appeal meeting. This letter should be mailed within ten days of the receipt of the letter informing them of the credit loss. If the parent/guardian is not happy with the outcome of the meeting, they may address their concerns, first, to the district superintendent and then to the school board. 3. The only absences that will not be counted in this procedure are the following: a. Dismissal under the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act for disciplinary purposes. b. School sponsored activities. c. Religious/spiritual days kept sacred by the pupil when religious/spiritual services are observed only during school hours. 4. The State of Minnesota recognizes the following reasons for excused absences; personal illness, death or medical emergency in the immediate family, legal appointments, work at home, and family vacations. While these are considered excused absences, they will still accumulate toward the five absences allowed per quarter. In order for an absence to be excused, notes from parents/guardians excusing these absences must be turned in to the office within two days of the student’s return to school. 5. Unexcused absences are those that can be avoided or delayed. This includes a student who is absent from school without the parent/guardian’s knowledge or approval, or the excuse given is not acceptable to the school administration. These may include, but are not limited to: oversleeping, shopping, hair appointments, leaving school without permission, skipping, and falsifying notes. No credit will be given for unexcused absences missed from a class/day. 6. Tardy to class is defined as late to class. Valid excuses or passes are allowed from staff members. a. Consequences of unexcused tardiness include detention according to the following: 1st tardy = noon detention 2nd tardy = noon detention 3rd tardy = noon detention 4th tardy = two hours after school detention. In addition every 4 unexcused tardies are equivalent to one unexcused absence. 7. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher for make-up work, and it should be completed in two days for every one excused absence. The teacher may require additional or different assignments than were assigned in class at the time of the absence to make up for loss of group work, discussion, or lecture time. 8. Closed Campus - The school campus is closed which means students are not allowed to leave the school grounds at any time during the regular school day without specific approval from the principal. a. Any student leaving school for any reason during the school day must check out in the office. b. Students also must check in the office if they return to school during the school day. c. Early dismissals will be granted only if a parent/guardian advises the school in advance by phone or note AND it is cleared with the principal. d. Students who fail to meet the closed campus requirements may be charged with an unexcused absence, depending on the circumstances, and could face disciplinary action. e. Out-of-school individuals are prohibited from picking up students during the lunch break and from loitering with students on the school grounds. f. Visitors must register with the office upon arrival at the building and must receive a visitor’s pass before entering the building any farther. 9. Participation in extracurricular activities and school sponsored on the job training programs. a. This policy applies to all students involved in any extracurricular activity scheduled either during or outside the school day and any school sponsored on the job training program. b. School-initiated absences will be accepted and participation permitted. c. A student may not participate in any activity or program if he/she has an unexcused absence from any class during the day. d. If a student is suspended from any class he/she may be excluded from participation in any activity or program that day. e. If a student is absent from school due to medical reasons, he/she must present a physician’s statement or a statement from the student’s parent/guardian clearing the student for participation that day. The note must be presented to the coach/advisor before the student participates in the activity or program. B. Required Reporting 1. Continuing Truant: This is a student who is subject to the compulsory instruction requirements and is absent from instruction in a school without valid excuse within a single school year for: a. Three days if the child is in elementary school; or b. Three or more class periods on three days if the child is in junior high or high school. 2. Reporting Responsibility: When a student is initially classified as a continuing truant, the school attendance officer or their designated school official will notify the student’s parent/guardian by first class mail or other reasonable means, of the following: a. That the child is a truant; b. That the parent/guardian should notify the school if there is a valid excuse for the child’s absence; c. That the parent/guardian is obligated to compel the attendance of the child at school and parents/guardians who fail to meet this obligation may be subject to prosecution; d. That this notification serves as the notification required by Minnesota Statute; e. That the alternative education program and services may be available in their home district; f. That the parent/guardian has the right to meet with appropriate school personnel to discuss solutions to the child’s truancy; g. That if the child continues to be truant, the parent and child may be subject to juvenile court proceedings; h. That if the child is subject to juvenile court proceedings, the child may be subject to suspension, restriction or delay of the child’s driving privilege; i. That it is recommended that the parent/guardian accompany the child to school and attend classes with the child for one day.

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