Revised Attendance Policy: Attendance Policy 5113 

Strong attendance is key to academic success. 

The attendance policy has been revised and will be implemented this September. Regular attendance is crucial to student success. Please see the information below as well as the link to the slideshow summary, Attendance FAQ’s Slide Show . Thank you! 

We ask all students and families to help us reinforce the importance of being present every day and arriving on time for school each day.  

Attendance:

• Students will be deemed excessively absent at 17.5 school days regardless of reason. 

• The ONLY excused absences as defined by state code: Religious observance as defined by law; A college visit (only grades 11 and 12); “Take Our Children to Work Day”; Veterans Day;or district board of election membership activities

• Parent notes of students who are ill, doctor's notes, and dismissals from the Nurse's office count towards the total number of absences. Please provide doctor’s notes for any medical issues within 3 days following the absence. 

• Once a student reaches a total of 10 days absent regardless of reason, parents and students will meet with administration to complete an “Attendance Success Plan” outlining goals to help students be successful.  

• At a total of 18 absences or 20 lateness tardies, regardless of reason, students will be denied access to extra/co-curricular activities, in addition to credit denial/grade retention. 

• All students who wish to participate in an extra/co-curricular event/activity MUST be in attendance the day of or preceding the event, unless there is a medical note.  Students who have been suspended, have been determined to be excessively absent (as described above), and/or excessively tardy will not be permitted to participate in all extra-curricular activities.

• Truancy charges may be filed with the municipal court at 10 days absent for students ages 6-16 as well as at 20 times late to school. Every 5th lateness may result in an administrative detention.  A student will be on the restricted list for 5, 10, and 15 school days, depending on the lateness infraction number. 5x late=Detention Only;  10x late=5 days on restricted list; 15x late=10 days on restricted list; 20x late=PERMANENT RESTRICTED LIST and possible grade retention/credit denial.

• If your student is absent a handwritten note,  Valley Park Student Absentee or Change of Dismissal Form, and/or Medical Note must be submitted to the main office. Documentation can be emailed to kkiger@psdnet.org. 

• *PHONE CALLS FOR CHANGE OF DISMISSALS SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE 2:45 P.M. Thank you! 

Student Breakfast and Lunches 

• Completion of Free/Reduced forms will be required for preschool and strongly encouraged for K/1. Thank you! 

• Menus are available at www.psdnet.org and more information is available HERE . 

• Metz payments for snacks:  cash, check, or  schoolcafe.com:  Student ID number from PowerSchool is needed. A  fee is charged by the company. Please contact the main office for assistance accessing PowerSchool.  

• Cost of breakfast is located on the website. Free and reduced prices also apply.

PRESCHOOL: 

• Preschool breakfast will be served during school hours. Please see further information from your preschool teacher.

KINDERGARTEN/FIRST GRADE:

• K/1 Breakfast is available before school or in the classroom after arrival. Due to limitations in the classroom, participation before school by those not riding a bus is strongly encouraged. A limited selection is available in the classroom, but students must "Opt-In" to have breakfast delivered to the classroom daily at arrival. 

• To opt- in, please complete the form HERE or contact your child's teacher. 

• Please contact the main office or your child's teacher if you would like to make any changes after you complete the form, otherwise your student will be provided with a breakfast daily in the classroom. *This form only needs to be completed once for your student to have breakfast in the classroom daily. 

• K/1 students, especially those who do not ride a bus to school, are strongly encouraged to attend the Before School Breakfast Program. Entrance is from 8:25 a.m.-8:40 a.m. and no sign up form is needed. If arriving after 8:25, please ring the buzzer at the door to let the staff know that your student has arrived.  Students must eat breakfast to participate before school. 

Thank you!