Parent(s)/guardian(s) are expected to notify the school regarding a student’s absence on the day of the absence. An absence must be reported either by note, email, or phone call (367-7639). Ten or more absences in a school year is considered to be excessive by the Sioux Falls School District. Parents/guardians/students are encouraged to provide professional medical documentation when absent for medically related absences. If requested, students who were absent from school for any reason shall submit in written form the specific reasons for their absence, the specific days or times they were absent, and a signature of the parent/guardian. When student absences are deemed excessive (at 10 or more days) schools will require verification of absences from a doctor, dentist, or other medical professional. Once during the school day and once each evening (between 6:00p.m. and 10:00p.m.) an automated system calls the parents/guardians of students who have not notified the school regarding a student’s absence that day. This procedure is intended to notify parents/guardians who may be unaware of the student’s absence and to serve as a reminder to provide the school with notification when a student will be absent. Classes missed because of attendance at a school sponsored trip or activity will not be considered an absence. However, the student may be required to make up work missed.
Skipping a class will be dealt with according to Policy/Regulation JK/JK/R -Student Discipline, Class II. Recognizing the importance of school attendance, staff members shall work to improve attendance at each school by:
Schools will verbally notify students and/or parents/guardians of attendance records, go over the consequences of excessive absences, and encourage attendance.
At five and eight days of absence an attendance letter and/or other communication will be sent to the parents/guardians informing them of their student’s attendance concerns unless extenuating circumstances apply. Additional letters will be sent for those students whose absences are excessive.
The District will implement an intervention pyramid to individually support students with barriers to attending school.
A District Attendance Council will meet quarterly to develop/implement District attendance initiatives. Building attendance teams will work regularly each month to address building attendance initiatives and interventions.
Truancy citations or violations may be issued to students with excessive absences in cooperation with law enforcement and the judicial system. The District’s Social Workers are appointed as the District’s Truancy Officers.
If requested, teachers are expected to provide up to five days of assignments in advance of a planned absence. Assignments for planned absences that extend beyond five days will be available upon the student’s return to school. Tests, speeches, or special projects must be completed and submitted on the first day following an absence. Schoolwork missed must be made up within two times the number of days absent not to exceed six days. The time allowed for the makeup work may be extended at the discretion of the classroom teacher. When a student’s attendance impacts academic performance, the student’s schedule may be modified, or the student may be placed in a credit recovery program. These options may not be available if the absence is for skipping or not attending OSS Alternative, dependent on the individual student’s behavior or attendance plan.
Tardiness is defined as a student’s initial appearance to an assigned area at any time after the designated starting time. Leaving early is defined as the departure from an assigned area at any time before the designated ending time. A student who is tardy, or leaves early, should report to the administrative/attendance office. Teachers will emphasize the importance of being on time and explain the classroom rules and procedures for tardiness. Consequences will include, but are not limited to: warning, parent contact, assigned detention, a student contract, and potentially administrative referral. At any point in the school day, a Sweep of the hallways may be done to promote timeliness to class. During a Sweep period, students found outside of class when the bell rings may be given a Sweep referral and be issued a consequence.
The school board has determined that the middle school operates as a closed campus. This means that a student may not leave school grounds without the permission of the administration from the time of arrival until dismissal. If a student must leave the building for appointments/lunch during the school day, the student’s parent/guardian must come into the building and sign out the student. We request that the ½ hour lunch timeframe be honored, as each class/subject is important.