Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy & Requirements

To achieve your best in school, regular attendance is necessary. ON A DAY YOU WILL NOT BE IN SCHOOL, A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST CALL OR EMAIL, THE OFFICE BY 8:00 A.M.

• Prescott Intermediate School (715-262-2383), Kathy Miller (Email)

You may leave a message on the attendance line voice mail. The day you return, you must have a written note from your parent, guardian, or doctor stating the date and the reason for your absence.  Assignments should be requested after the student is absent two days or more.  See attendance policy.
You must attend school MORE THAN 50% OF THE DAY in order to practice, attend or compete in an extra-curricular event that night, unless special circumstances warrant administrative approval in advance.

ATTENDANCE/TRUANCY POLICY

Enforcement of student attendance policies and truancy procedures shall be a shared responsibility between the schools, social service agencies, law enforcement officials, students, parents, and the community at large.

School Attendance Officer

The principal or her designee will serve as the school attendance officer.  “Truancy” means an absence of part or all of one (1) or more school days during which the school attendance officer has not been notified of the legal cause of such absence by the parent or guardian of the absent student; it also means intermittent attendance carried on for the purpose of defeating the intent of the compulsory attendance law. 
“Habitual truant” means a student who is absent from school without an acceptable excuse for all or part of five (5) days on which school is held during a semester.

Student Absences and Excuses

The responsibility for regular school attendance of a student rests upon the student’s parent(s) and/or guardian(s).  All excused absences require parent/guardian/legal custodian to provide written verification, which is to be submitted to the school attendance office, in advance of the absence or prior to re-admittance to school.  Legal excuses are as follows:

1. Evidence that the student is not in proper physical or mental condition to attend school or an educational program. Evidance is a written statement from a physician or licensed practitioner as proof of the physical or mental condition of the student. Such excuse shall be made in writing, shall state the period of time for which it is valid, and shall not exceed 30 days.
2. An illness in the immediate family that requires the absence of the student because of family responsibilities.
3. Medical, dental, chiropractic, optometric, or other valid professional appointments. Parents or guardians are requested to make their appointments during non-school hours. Prior notice to the school is requested.
4. A death in the immediate family or funerals for close relatives.
5. Religious holidays.
6. A court appearance or other legal procedure which requires the attendance of the student.
7. A quarantine is imposed by a public health officer.
8. Attendance at special events of educational value as approved by the school attendance officer/ designee in advance.
9. Approved school activities during class time.
10. Special circumstances that show good cause WHICH ARE APPROVED IN ADVANCE IN WRITING BY THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER/DESIGNEE.

All students with excused absences will be given the opportunity to make up work missed.

Makeup Work/Exams

1. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher(s) for making up work missed.
2. For a single day absence each student will have two (2) school days from the “day of return” to complete make up work with full credit given, unless school equipment/facilities (i.e. shop class, P.E. labs, etc.) are required for make-up. If school equipment/facilities are required for make-up, arrangements must be made with teachers.
3. For a planned partial day absence students are required to contact the teachers that day for the hours they missed and collect assignments. Assignments are due the following day unless mutually agreed upon by teacher and student.
4. For all planned vacations and hunting trips must be pre-approved by the principal or his or her designee. For pre-approved vacations, hunting trips, farm work, and approved school activities work must be completed before leaving or special arrangements must be made with teachers.
5. For multiple days absent, a student will be allowed two (2) days for the 1st day and 1 day for each consecutive day of absence (up to 5 days). Special arrangements can be made for individuals who are hospitalized. Also, an extension can be given if school facilities are needed to complete the assignments.
6. Examinations missed during an excused absence will be permitted to be taken at a time mutually agreed upon by the student and teacher for full credit.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

Students who are absent from school with the consent of their parent(s) or guardian, but whose absence does not fall under the reasons listed above shall be considered unexcused.  All students with an unexcused absence will be permitted to make up an examination missed during an absence for partial credit.  A student who is absent from school for an unacceptable reason or is truant will also be considered unexcused.  Credit will not be given for class work missed.
ABSENCES THAT RESULT FROM CAR TROUBLE WILL NOT BE EXCUSED.
Any absence, after missing part or all of 10 days, will be unexcused unless we receive:

1. A note from the medical office stating the student was seen by a doctor on the day the student was absent.
2. A note from a doctor stating the student was not in proper physical or mental condition to attend school on the day of the absence. An absence not verified by a note or phone call within two (2) days following the absence will be unexcused or truant.