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.