Independent School District 16: Student Attendance Policy Overview.pdf

Policy 503: Student Attendance

- Purpose: Emphasizes regular attendance for academic success, social benefits, and dependability habits.
- Responsibility: Shared among students, parents/guardians, teachers, and administrators.

Attendance Guidelines:

1. Excused Absences:
- Illness
- Family illness or death
- Medical/dental appointments
- Court appearances
- Physical emergencies (e.g., fire, flood)
- Written excuses from an administrator

2. Unexcused Absences:
- Work release program violations
- Cumulative tardies (3 for high school, 4 for middle school, 5 for elementary)
- Other reasons not approved by administrators

Tardiness Guidelines:

- Excused Tardiness: Similar to excused absences.
- Unexcused Tardiness: Lack of valid reason for being late; three tardies equal one unexcused absence at high school, four at middle school, and five at elementary.

Extracurricular Activities:

- Participation is contingent on attendance policies.
- Unexcused absences prevent participation the same day.
- Suspended students cannot participate in activities or programs that day.

Religious Observance Accommodation:

- Efforts to accommodate religious observances will be made.
- Requests should be directed to the building principal.

Policy Dissemination:

- Available at school year commencement and upon request.
- Annual notice of policy on absences for religious observance provided to parents.

Required Reporting:

- Continuing Truant: Defined as three days or more of unexcused absence in elementary school, or three class periods on three days in other schools.