2017-18 Student Handbook

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Page 36
Section 4
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES AND DEFINITIONS
The “Illinois School Code” states, “A child is subject to compulsory attendance and shall attend school on a regular basis in the district
where the custodial parent resides.”
Parents are reminded the Illinois School Law places full responsibility on parents or guardians of having students in regular attendance
at school.
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL EVENTS
For students to be eligible to compete or perform in an activity on that day, they must be in attendance no later than 11:15 a.m.
Students will be allowed to participate in and attend any school activities on a non-school day following an absence if the absence was
excused or was pre-arranged. Students with special circumstances, other than illness, will be considered for participation only with prior
administrative approval.
EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Students who need to leave the building for a doctor, dental, court, or other valid appointment must call or present a written request
from their parent/guardian to the main office before school or during a passing period. All requests for early dismissal must be
approved by the administration.
Once the request is approved the student will receive an Early Dismissal Pass to present to the teacher and the main office when it is
time to leave the building.
When leaving the building the student must sign-out in the main office. When returning to the building, the student must sign back in at
the main office and may be asked to present a written statement verifying the appointment.
EXCUSED ABSENCE/UNEXCUSED/TARDIES
Students who are absent for a total of 10 or more days will be required to provide a doctor verification upon request to receive an
excused absence, as determined by the administration. The note must be written by a doctor or a licensed medical practitioner.
Failure to present this note will result in the absence being changed as an unexcused absence.
A conference with the administration will then be conducted to determine the student’s future status. If the student continues to have
excessive absences from school, the Livingston County Attendance Assistance Program caseworker will be notified with the potential
for court proceedings including the Livingston County Truancy Review Board.
Excused absences may be granted for the following reasons:
1. Illness 6. Attending a military honors funeral to sound TAPS
2. Death in the family 7. School-sponsored activity
3. Doctor and dental appointments 8. Religious holiday observance
4. Family emergency 9. Other: As approved by administration
5. Prearranged parent request
Truancy (Per Year)
Student attendance is critical to the learning process. Truancy is therefore a serious issue and will be dealt with in a serious manner by
the administration. A parent or guardian who knowingly and willfully permits a child to be truant is in violation of State law.
A student will be considered truant from school when the student misses any or all of the school day without a valid cause.
Determination of a valid excuse is the responsibility of the administration and will follow the guidelines of the Illinois School Code, which
defines a “chronic truant” as a student who has been absent without valid cause from such attendance for 5% or more of the previous
180 regular attendance days.
1st Violation - 1 detention, administrative conference, parent notification, and counselor conference.
2nd Violation - 3 detentions, administrative conference, parent notification, counselor conference, and Livingston County
Attendance notification.
Students who exceed the stated number of violations will be handled on an individual basis by the administration.