Attendance Information

Call 715-425-1819 to report absences to the main office.

Good Attendance - Is it important at the elementary level?

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about attendance in hope that we are able to increase the overall understanding of attendance procedures and to take away any misconceptions that parents may have.

My son or daughter has been really sick. Do I need a doctor’s note?

• When a student is absent for more than three consecutive days, for a medical reason, we require a written note from a doctor.
• Often times, the doctor’s office can fax or email us the note directly so you don’t have to physically bring the note into the office, saving you the time and trouble.
• With the doctor’s note we can make sure that student absences are listed as medically excused.

My child is sick and I don’t have insurance or can’t afford to go to the doctor for a note.

• We understand. Simply bring your child into our health aide and we will take their temperature. If your child has a fever we will document the illness and list them as medically ill excused.

When is a child too sick for school?

• Any child who vomits must be out of school for 24 hours following the event.
• Likewise, any child who has a fever must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school.

My child has a runny nose and doesn’t feel good. Should I send them to school or keep them home?

• Well, this is one of those judgement calls as a parent. Please consider we have over 500 students and staff at school each day and it is a safe bet there are several people who have colds or have been exposed to the virus that causes colds. If you decide to keep your child home and you call them in ill, at the point they have accumulated 10 excused illnesses we will then begin recording their illnesses as unexcused unless we have a doctor’s note or they are checked by our health aide.
• It is our suggestion that you try to send your child even when they have the sniffles so you can save your excused ill days for when they have a fever or vomiting.
• Please remember to promote universal precautions by hand washing, providing meds (i.e. Tylenol, allergy meds, cough drops) for your child to take when needed - in the health office and using hand sanitizer.

What is the difference between an excused absence and an unexcused absence?

• An excused absence is when a child is not in school during part or all of a regular school day and the parent or guardian has communicated a legitimate reason for the absence with the appropriate documentation to support the reason(s) for the absence.
• Examples of excused absences: The child is sick, the parent calls them in and reports the child has a temperature of 100.3 and has a sore throat. As long as this issue does not go on for more than a couple of days, we will mark the student as ill/excused. If it goes for more than 2 days, please bring the child to a doctor or have the health aide check so we can continue to excuse or discuss other options.
• Other excused absence events include: documented ongoing appointments for therapy or legal services; family trips that are communicated to school prior to the event and there has been ongoing student learning planned during the vacation.
• Examples of unexcused absences: My child is with me shopping and I don’t have time to bring them to school. My son or daughter is very sleepy today so I thought I would let them sleep in. My friend is visiting from out of town and I wanted my child to stay home today. My child is very sad and refuses to go to school today.
• Bottom line: We try to work with families to limit student absences because whether or not the absence is excused or unexcused, the child’s learning is disrupted and can cause learning or social difficulties.

What happens if my child has several unexcused absences?

• First, you will receive a call from your child’s teacher to let you know they are concerned with the classroom learning your child has missed and together you can explore plans to help your child catch up. If the absences continue to mount, you will get second call from the School Counselor to see if there are issues surrounding your child’s absences and look for ways we can work together to help ensure more regular attendance. If attendance issues continue, you will receive a call from the building principal to address truancy issues and ways to seek help to avoid a truancy referral to either Pierce or St. Croix County Social Services.

Remember, excessive excused absences can create a “concern” down the line when there is a health concern or family emergency and a child has accumulated more than 10 absences in a year.

• After 10 excused absences, the next absence is considered unexcused because of the significant loss of time. We realize there may be extenuating circumstances, so we want to be in close communication with parents.

The truth of the matter is we want to help. If the school notices a pattern of absences, we will contact you to see what we can do together to help. Most truancy issues can be avoided by communication and working together. School and parents want the same thing, we both want our students to learn and grow up to be active and able people in our community. Please contact the school if you have any questions.