What is considered an excused absence from school?

The following reasons shall be sufficient to constitute excused absences:

1. Illness
2. Serious illness in the student’s immediate family
3. A death or funeral in the student’s immediate family or of a close friend or relative
4. Medical, dental, or orthodontic treatment, or counseling appointment
5. Court appearances occasioned by family or personal action
6. Religious instruction not to exceed three hours in any week
7. Physical emergency conditions such as fire, flood, storm, etc.
8. Official school field trip or other school-sponsored outing
9. Removal of a student pursuant to a suspension
10. Religious observance
11. Family vacation (limited to 5 days per year) handled as excused absences and students will be permitted to complete make-up work
12. Family emergencies
13. A student’s condition that requires ongoing treatment for a diagnosis

In order for an absence to be excused, a parent/guardian needs to call the school attendance line prior to, or the day of the absence. The parent/guardian needs to state when the child will be absent and explain the reason for the absence. Students whose absences are excused are required to make up assignments missed or to complete alternative assignments as deemed appropriate by the classroom teacher. Students who accumulate excessive absences, even when excused, will work with the school staff and parents/guardians to develop a plan to assure attendance at school daily. In addition, a doctor’s note may be requested to excuse excessive absences.
 

Unexcused Absences or Truancy

These are examples of absences that will not be excused:

1. Truancy which is an absence that is not approved by the parent/guardian and/or the school district
2. Any absence where the student/ family failed to comply with any reporting requirements of the school district’s attendance procedures
3. Work at home
4. Work at a business, except under a school-sponsored work release program.
5. Vacations with family without prior notice and exceeding 5 days
6. Missing the bus
7. Oversleeping
8. Any other absence not included under the attendance procedures set out in this policy