DISTRICT ATTENDANCE POLICY

MAPS Policy #5200

EXCUSED ABSENCE

• Parent/Guardian-Excused Absences : Based on Wisconsin State Statute 118.15 (3) (c}, parent(s)/guardian(s) are authorized to excuse their student(s) from school attendance for any reason, up to a maximum of ten (10) days in a school year, provided they notify the school in writing  prior to the absence.

• Principal-Excused Absence: Based on Wisconsin State Statute 118.16 (4) (a), with the exception of the ten (10) day  Parent/Guardian-Excuse provision, it is the school, not the parent(s)/guardian(s), that determines whether absences are excused or unexcused. 

The following reasons for absence will be excused:

1. Student illness or medical appointment.

2. Family illness or other emergency for which the student's presence at home is required.

3. Quarantine by public health officials.

4. Death in immediate family and/or funerals of family members or close friends.

5. Religious holiday observances.

6. Suspension from school for disciplinary actions.

7. School-sanctioned activity or event.

8. Court appearance.

9. Family trips that can be taken only during the normal school term.

10. Other reasons as approved by the principal or designee.

Students participating in practices, rehearsals, and other related events are to be in attendance at least one half day in order to participate in their activity.   Situations beyond a student's control shall be considered.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCE

An unexcused absence is any absence from school for reasons other than those defined as excused.

The teacher will not be required to assist a student in making up lost or missed work and corresponding loss of credit may be recorded.

EXCESSIVE ABSENCES

• Parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be notified in writing when a student has accumulated excessive absences. 

• This shall be done whether the absences are excused or unexcused, unless the student is under doctor's treatment and a written statement from a physician or licensed practitioner is on file. 

• A written statement may be required if five absences occur in any nine-week period due to illness.

CONSEQUENCES FOR UNEXCUSED/TRUANT ABSENCES AND TARDIES

1. Conference and counseling with student.

2. Assignment of detention time.

3. Work missed as a result of an unexcused absence may be required to be made up (without credit). Student is to contact the instructor and arrange for the time and place for making up an exam or its equivalent.

4. Required parent/guardian conference.

5. Referral to the appropriate agency or to a court of law under state compulsory attendance/truancy laws.

TRUANCY

Truancy is defined as any absence of part or all of one or more school days during which the school has not been notified of the legal cause of such absence by the parent(s)/guardian(s)  of the absent student, and also means intermittent attendance carried on for the purpose of defeating the intent of the compulsory attendance law (as referenced above)(Wisconsin  State Statute 118.16 (1) (c).

Parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be notified when a student has an unexcused absence(s). Notices shall be made by personal contact, mail or telephone, and a written record will be kept on file by the attendance officer/designee. Notice by personal contact or telephone shall be attempted prior to notice by mail.

HABITUAL TRUANCY

State Statute 118.16 defines a habitual truant as any student who is absent from school without an acceptable excuse for part or all of five days during which school is held during a semester. 

District procedures as they relate to habitual truancy are outlined as part of the District truancy policy. 

Any absence will automatically be recorded as unexcused if a call was not received the day of the absence or if a valid note is not received by the school office within two (2) days of the student's return to school after being absent.

MAKE-UP WORK FOLLOWING AN ABSENCE

If excused

• Students must be given the opportunity to make up a unit or end of grading period test (or equivalent).

• Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the individual instructor.

If unexcused

• Students will be expected to complete any daily work or regular assignments missed as a result of the absence. 

• Students must be given the opportunity to make up a unit or end of grading period test (or equivalent).

• Students who miss a unit or end of grading period test (or equivalents) must be prepared to take the test or hand in the project upon his/her return to school. Individual instructors can make exceptions to this rule.