To meet our mutual goal for student success, we participate in a partnership and a shared expectation among school, parent, and student that students will be present and on time throughout each day of school. Regular attendance at school results in greater academic success and increased opportunities for supported career exploration and skill development.

ATTENDANCE TERMINOLOGY

Excused Absence: Absence that is excused by a parent for a valid reason. The following are examples of school-recognized valid reasons to excuse a student:

  • Illness
  • Medical or Dental Appointment
  • Extraordinary Emergency

A doctor's note may be required to excuse a student or for admission to school at any time the administration deems it necessary. Failure to comply with such a request will result in an "unexcused" absence, which may be followed up with:

  • Parent Conference
  • Extended Block Intervention
  • Kane County Truancy 

Truancy: Absence that is not designated as excused or unexcused. Truancy is further defined as:

  • Excessively late to class
  • Leaving the building without first checking out of the building through the office

Interventions to address truancy include, but are not limited to:

  • Parent Conference
  • Extended Block Intervention
  • Kane County Truancy

Unexcused Absence

When a student is unexcused, the parent may recognize the absence as being valid or legitimate, however the school does not. The following, even with parental consent, are considered to be unexcused absences:

  • Working
  • Missing the bus
  • Shopping
  • Car not starting
  • Keeping personal appointments
  • Visiting out of town or college visit (unless absence is excused following the guidelines of the prearranged process)
  • Needed at home
  • And other avoidable absences

Interventions to address unexcused absences include, but are not limited to:

  • Parent Conference
  • Extended Block Intervention
  • Kane County Truancy

Tardy

Students must be in the classroom when class is scheduled to start. Students who arrive in the room after the scheduled start of class are tardy.

Prearranged Absence Policy

(a) Students must apply for the privilege of using the prearranged absence days through the attendance office. They will be given a Prearranged Absence Form to be signed by their teachers and parents. This completed form MUST be turned in TWO SCHOOL DAYS prior to the date of the prearranged absence or absence will be recorded as "Unexcused".

(b) The building principal or designee has the authority to grant up to five (5) school days of excused absences:

  • College visits
  • Career education visitations
  • Participation in regional and/or national contests or awards not endorsed by the IHSA
  • Family vacation qualified by the phrase "accompanied by a parent"
  • Special religious holidays as determined by the administration
  • Other circumstances as determined by the administration

(c) Excused absences resulting from approved preplanned absences(s) shall be limited to five(5) days per year and may not be cumulative through a student's career.

(d) A student will not be eligible for an excused absence if the request for a preplanned absence covers the final week of a quarter and/or semester.

(e) Students have full make-up privilege and must initiate make-up work.


Prearranged Absence Form