ATTENDANCE (Policy 7:70)
Parents/Guardians of a child between the ages of 7 and 17 years of age, or who is enrolled in any grades, kindergarten through 12 must cause the child to attend the District school where the child is assigned, except as provided in State law.
A student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) must: (1) upon the child’s enrollment, provide telephone numbers to the Building Principal and update them as necessary, and (2) authorize all absences and notify the school in advance or at the time of the child’s absence.
If a student in grades K-8 is absent without prior authorization by the parent(s)/guardian(s), the Building Principal or designee shall make a reasonable effort to notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the child’s absence within 2 hours after the first class by telephoning the numbers given.
TARDINESS
The Board of Education, Administration, and the Staff of Round Lake Area Schools are committed to student success. Students arriving late to school is a serious problem. Punctuality is important. Students who are late often do not learn that “being on time” is an expectation of citizens in our society. Arriving late to school also causes a student to miss out on class experiences which hinders academic progress. Additionally, tardiness places a burden on the classroom teacher and the school office. Students who qualify for bus transportation are encouraged to use that service daily to ensure on time arrival. Consistent attendance at school is the first step to academic achievement. A student is tardy if the student is unexcused and not in class when the last bell rings and/or classes begin.
The tardy procedures are modified to be appropriate to the age and maturity of the student.
Grades K-5: Handled by building personnel
Grades 6-8: 1st offense - warning by teacher
2nd offense - call to parent
3rd offense - detention or stay day
Grades 9-12: Handled by Student Services Office
Students that continue to be excessively late to school will require a parent conference and may be reported to the Lake County Superintendent of Schools and local authorities as a truant for further investigation.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
The parent/guardian of a student who is enrolled must authorize all absences from school and notify the school in advance or at the time of the student’s absence for every day of any absence. A valid cause for an absence is necessary for the absence to be excused. A valid cause for absence includes illness, observance of a religious holiday, death in the immediate family, family emergency, other situations beyond the control of the student, other circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the parent/guardian for the student’s safety or health, or other reason approved in advance by the Superintendent, or designee.
If a student’s absence lasts more than three (3) consecutive days, the student must return to school with a doctor’s note or other written documentation verifying the reason for the absence.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Any absence for a reason other than a valid cause listed above will be considered unexcused. Vacations during the school year are not a valid cause for an absence and will be considered unexcused.
Following 9 or more unexcused absences the student is referred to the Truancy Department for intervention.
If a student has 10 or more consecutive days of unexcused absences he/she is dropped from the school roster. To return to school the student must be reregistered and pay fees. When a student has 10 or more unexcused absences, he/she may not participate in any promotional or graduation celebrations and ceremonies. Students will be disciplined for unexcused absences (See Behavior Code).
MAKE-UP WORK
For excused absences the student is allowed 2 days plus the number of days absent to turn in make-up work for full credit.
For unexcused absences the student is allowed 2 days plus the number of days absent to turn in make-up work for credit as follows:
1st day — Full credit
2nd day — 75% credit
3rd day — 50% credit
4th day and beyond — 0 credit
TRUANCY
In Round Lake Area School District 116, we know the importance of regular school attendance and its impact on educational performance. It is also important that students attend daily and on-time. The district has a truancy intervention department that monitors student attendance.
The truancy monitoring process begins when a student has been absent or tardy for more than 5% of school days (approximately 10 days). School staff work with families to resolve truancy issues; however, if these efforts are not successful, the truancy interventionist may involve the police or the matter may be referred to truancy court.
TRUANCY INTERVENTION PROGRAM (Policy 7:70)
The truancy department staff will monitor excessive student absences through a referral system. When a student has been absent without an excuse, documentation may be submitted for citation to Municipal Court. If deemed appropriate, a citation will be written by the Truancy Officer and delivered to the student and also to the parent/guardian. Once a student receives a citation to municipal court, the judge will hear the case and determine sentencing. Please note: Any student caught off school grounds, during school hours, may be subject to immediate citation to Municipal Court or Branch Court.