Attendance

Per Section 26-2a of the Illinois School Code and board policy 7:70 (Attendance and Truancy), the following are considered valid reasons for an excused absence:

• Illness
• Observance of a religious holiday
• Death in the immediate family
• Family emergency
• Other situations beyond the control of the students as determined by the board of education
• Voting - see board policy 7:90 (Release During the School Hours)
• Circumstances that cause parents/guardians to have reasonable concern for the physical, mental, or emotional health or safety of their student
• Other reason as approved by the superintendent or designee:
  • Hospitalization
  • Court dates
  • College visits – when pre-arranged absence procedures* are followed

*Pre-arranged absence forms are available under the dean's office section of the school's website. The form must be filled out properly and submitted to the dean's office two days before the absence in order for it to be excused. Parents/guardians will need to contact the attendance office in order to verify the absence. If the form and documentation are not turned in for college visits, the absence will be considered unexcused and counted in determining excessive absences. Participation in a non-school related competitive activity or sport are not recommended when school is in session, and will be considered unexcused and counted towards excessive absences if the form and appropriate documentation are not submitted.

In order to comply with School Code, the school reserves the right to determine if an absence is excused. The school considers the following to be absences without valid cause, thereby resulting in them being unexcused:

• Oversleeping
• Car trouble
• “Cutting” class
• Missing the bus
• Missing one class to study for another or make up test and quizzes
• Babysitting
• Shopping
• Extending prom weekend
• Resting or preparing for special events
• Senior Ditch Day
• Vacations
• No reason given

Please note that the items above are examples of unexcused absences. They do not constitute a complete of list of incidents, issues or situations that may result in a student receiving an unexcused absence. 

If students are marked UPC (Unexcused Parent Call) on a day when a test/quiz or assignment is due, they must turn in the assignment or take the test/quiz the next school day. Teachers have the option of giving an alternative assessment.

If students are marked TRU (Truant), they may only receive a maximum of 75% on any class assignments or assessments and may be subject to disciplinary consequences.

Medical/Doctor appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours. When this is not possible, the following steps must be taken in order to excuse the absence. If the procedures for partial day absences are not followed, then the absence will be considered unexcused.

If you need to leave school to go to an appointment:

• Parents/guardians must call the attendance office before students leave the building for their appointment.
• Students must report to the dean's office and sign out.
• Students should verify that they were at a medical appointment by providing documentation from the doctor’s office when they come to the dean's office to sign back in.
• If students return the following day, they must bring the appointment verification to the dean's office that morning.

If you arrive to school late due to an appointment:

• Students must report to the dean's office and sign in as soon as they get to the building.
• Students should verify that they were late due to a medical appointment by providing documentation from the doctor’s office when they sign in.
• Parents/guardians must call the attendance office before students arrive late in order to verify that they were aware of the absence and want it excused.

If you need to reach the district's transportation provider, please call First Student at (630) 964-2500.