Attendance Regulations
Student Attendance
The Board of Education has commissioned the school to provide the best possible education for the students of the Grundy Center Community School. In order to make the most efficient use of facilities and teachers, it is essential to have regular attendance. The educational progress of each student is directly related to regular classroom attendance. All students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. Whenever a student is absent from school, the value of the work missed is something that is difficult to make up for by out-of-class work. Make-up work requires a good deal of extra time on the part of the teacher. This time can best be spent on the entire class or students who have been absent due to illness or unavoidable reasons.
Questions that arise in regard to absence or presence should be cleared through the principal’s office. District policy requires a student to be in attendance at least one hundred forty-eight days. Students must be in attendance for at least forty-nine days each school trimester, for the schools under their jurisdiction. (Iowa Code 299.1, 299A.1) Regular attendance is absolutely necessary for a student to gain maximum benefit from his/her educational experience.
Many out-of-school activities offer valuable learning experiences; however, they may not always align directly with the skills and concepts taught in the classroom. While they are important, they are not a replacement for classroom instruction. Parents have the right to make attendance decisions for their children, within the guidelines set by state law. At the same time, the school has the responsibility to evaluate attendance excuses to ensure consistency and fairness. We know families value a clear and equitable process, so the following policies have been adopted to support that goal.
SCHOOL BOARD POLICY REQUIRES PARENTS TO CALL THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE BY 9:00 AM AT 319-825-5449 WHENEVER A STUDENT IS GOING TO BE ABSENT OR TARDY.
Definitions:
Chronic Absenteeism: When a student has missed 10% of school days (excused or unexcused)
School Engagement Meeting: A meeting involving the child, parent/guardian, and school official to address absenteeism and create an absenteeism prevention plan.
Truancy: A student is considered truant when they have missed 20% of school days without valid excuse.
Compulsory Age: If a student is between the ages of 6-15 years old by September 15. However, if a student is five years old by September 15 or a child is four years old and enrolled in a statewide preschool program by September 15, they are considered compulsory age as well. Also, if a student turns sixteen after September 15, that student will be considered of compulsory age until the completion of that school year.
Absenteeism Procedural Steps:
Absences will be classified as exempt, excused, and unexcused. (See below)
Exempt absences will not count towards excessive absenteeism.
Excused and unexcused absences will count towards excessive absenteeism.
10% Absenteeism: Chronic Absenteeism Notification (6-Day Policy)
When a student accumulates 6 non-exempt absences
in any class period for the trimester, the following steps may be taken:
Notification:
The school will notify the parent/guardian and County Attorney’s Office by email, regular mail, or delivery in person. This notification will include:
A record of the student’s absences.
Information on applicable school attendance policies.
The school’s disciplinary procedures related to absenteeism.
A warning that continued absenteeism may lead to a formal School Engagement Meeting or legal action.
Potential Consequences:
Any student who misses 6 days in any class period for the trimester may:
15% Absenteeism: School Engagement Meeting and Prevention Plan (9-Day Policy)
When a student accumulates 9 non-exempt absences in any class period during a trimester a School Engagement Meeting and Absenteeism Prevention Plan will be initiated if the student’s academic performance is being negatively affected.
Notification:
Parents/guardians will receive an attendance letter notifying them of the 9 absences in any class period.
Mandatory Investigation:
An investigation will be conducted to identify the underlying causes of the absenteeism. This may include reviewing prior interventions, communication with the family, and identifying barriers to attendance.
School Engagement Meeting:
A School Engagement Meeting will be required. The meeting must include:
The student
The student’s parent(s) or guardian(s)
A designated school official (e.g., At-Risk Director or Administrator)
The purpose of the meeting is to:
Absenteeism Prevention Plan:
The Absenteeism Prevention Plan will:
Address the root causes of absenteeism.
Outline specific steps and goals to improve attendance.
Be signed by the student, parent/guardian, and school official, with a date included.
Compliance with Prevention Plan:
If the family refuses to participate in the meeting or fails to comply with the Absenteeism Prevention Plan, the school may notify the County Attorney.
20% Absenteeism: Truant Status and Legal Action (12-Day Policy)
When a student accumulates 12 non-exempt absences for the trimester, they will be classified as truant. The following steps may be taken:
Referral to County Attorney:
Students with 12 unexcused absences will be referred to the County Attorney’s Office. The referral will include:
A record of the student’s attendance.
Documentation of the school’s efforts to address absenteeism (e.g., communication with the family, prevention plans).
Any additional relevant information about the student’s circumstances.
Legal Action:
Once a student is deemed truant, the County Attorney may take legal action, which could include:
Filing a petition in juvenile court to address the student’s truancy.
Prosecuting the parent(s) or guardian(s) for failure to comply with compulsory attendance laws. This may result in fines or other penalties.
Required School Engagement Meeting:
A meeting will be scheduled with the student, parent/guardian, at-risk director, and administration to:
Review the district’s attendance policy.
Review the existing Absenteeism Prevention Plan and determine compliance.
Discuss next steps to prevent further absences.
Discuss whether absences affected learning grade level standards enough to justify grade level retention.
Absences will be categorized / recorded in the following manner:
Exempt
School related/sponsored trips or activities
Medical (absences of 5 or more consecutive days requires a doctor’s note)
Court directed activity with documentation provided (Driver’s License, School Permit, Jury Duty, etc)
Attending Religious service or receiving religious education
Traveling to attend a funeral
Traveling to attend a wedding
IEP that restricts attendance
Section 504 plan that restricts attendance
Other legitimate exemptions, as determined by the principal
Excused
Illness of the student
Family Reasons
Helping family
Family vacation or “Out of town”
Parent or sibling Medical Emergency
Watching classmates in state athletic competition, Show Choir, art show
Other legitimate exceptions, as determined by the principal
Unexcused
The principal reserves the right to determine on a case-by-case basis if the absence falls under exempt, excused, or unexcused.
Tardiness
Being late to class takes away learning time—for you and others. It can cause distractions and make it harder for teachers to start lessons.
If you’re late to school, bring a note or have a parent call the office. Go straight to the office to check in and get a pass before going to class.
Make-Up Work
School work missed because of absences must be made up within two times the number of days absent, not to exceed 20 days. The time allowed for make-up work may be extended at the discretion of the classroom teacher and/or the building principal.
