Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURE?
What is the EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURE?
An Early Dismissal must be pre-arranged. Parents who must take a student out of school during the day should send a note with the student’s name, time for dismissal, and a phone number where the school can reach the parent.
An Early Dismissal must be pre-arranged. Parents who must take a student out of school during the day should send a note with the student’s name, time for dismissal, and a phone number where the school can reach the parent.
On arrival in the morning, the student will:
On arrival in the morning, the student will:
bring the note to the front office to get an Early Dismissal pass.
bring the note to the front office to get an Early Dismissal pass.
At the time arranged in the note, the student will:
At the time arranged in the note, the student will:
show the dismissal pass to the teacher and report to the front office.
show the dismissal pass to the teacher and report to the front office.
The parent will:
The parent will:
come into the office with proper ID and sign the student out.
come into the office with proper ID and sign the student out.
Early Dismissals that have not been pre-arranged:
Early Dismissals that have not been pre-arranged:
When the dismissal has NOT been pre-arranged, the student will be released ONLY at the beginning or end of a class period. An office staff member will call for the student within one (1) minute of the start or end of class or during the class change. If possible, the parent should call ahead to request the forgotten early dismissal, so that office staff can manage release of the student and minimize wait time. (355-8201)
When the dismissal has NOT been pre-arranged, the student will be released ONLY at the beginning or end of a class period. An office staff member will call for the student within one (1) minute of the start or end of class or during the class change. If possible, the parent should call ahead to request the forgotten early dismissal, so that office staff can manage release of the student and minimize wait time. (355-8201)
Office staff will not disturb class over the intercom to get a student for dismissal.
Office staff will not disturb class over the intercom to get a student for dismissal.
After 2:25 p.m., the school will only release PREARRANGED dismissals.
After 2:25 p.m., the school will only release PREARRANGED dismissals.
Is it necessary to contact the Attendance Office when my child is absent from school for two or more consecutive days?
Is it necessary to contact the Attendance Office when my child is absent from school for two or more consecutive days?
YES. Some parents communicate with their child's teacher(s) when an absence results in 2 or more consecutive days, but fail to contact the attendance office. To avoid the possibility of accruing chronic absences and obtaining truancy status, it is helpful when the parent notifies the attendance clerk as well.
YES. Some parents communicate with their child's teacher(s) when an absence results in 2 or more consecutive days, but fail to contact the attendance office. To avoid the possibility of accruing chronic absences and obtaining truancy status, it is helpful when the parent notifies the attendance clerk as well.
Does my child need to turn in her excuse note to her teacher or to the attendance clerk?
Does my child need to turn in her excuse note to her teacher or to the attendance clerk?
Please turn in excuse note(s) to the Attendance Clerk located in the Front Office.
Please turn in excuse note(s) to the Attendance Clerk located in the Front Office.
A student must attend at least 50% of a class session during a school day to receive credit for that class.
A student must attend at least 50% of a class session during a school day to receive credit for that class.
Is a Parent Note always an Excused Absence?
Is a Parent Note always an Excused Absence?
NO. Example: Parent Note - "Please excuse my child for being absent for the past five days, we were on family vacation" = Parent Note/Unexcused
A parent may provide up to 10 parent notes excusing a student illness or an absence related to an immediate family member's illness or death. However, in order for any subsequent absence related to an illness to be lawful it must be supported by a physician statement/medical note.
What are chronic absences and what is Truancy?
What are chronic absences and what is Truancy?
Chronically Absent: Any student in grade K- 12 who misses 50 percent or more of the instructional day for any reason for 10 percent (or more) of the enrollment period. • All types of absences contribute to chronic absenteeism: – Excused Absences – Unexcused Absences – Suspensions • A student is absent if he or she is not physically on school grounds and is not participating in instruction or instruction-related activities at an approved off-grounds location for the school day.
Chronically Absent: Any student in grade K- 12 who misses 50 percent or more of the instructional day for any reason for 10 percent (or more) of the enrollment period. • All types of absences contribute to chronic absenteeism: – Excused Absences – Unexcused Absences – Suspensions • A student is absent if he or she is not physically on school grounds and is not participating in instruction or instruction-related activities at an approved off-grounds location for the school day.
Truant: A student between the ages 6– 17 who has accumulated unexcused absences on three consecutive days or has accumulated a total of five or more unexcused absences during the academic year. • Only full-day unexcused absences contribute to truancy. • Excused absences and suspensions do not affect truancy Because chronic absenteeism is associated with poor academic performance, increased dropout rates and decreased graduation rates, districts and schools are encouraged to make sure that parents are aware of this change.
Truant: A student between the ages 6– 17 who has accumulated unexcused absences on three consecutive days or has accumulated a total of five or more unexcused absences during the academic year. • Only full-day unexcused absences contribute to truancy. • Excused absences and suspensions do not affect truancy Because chronic absenteeism is associated with poor academic performance, increased dropout rates and decreased graduation rates, districts and schools are encouraged to make sure that parents are aware of this change.