Pages - Attendance

ATTENDANCE

ATTENDANCE (Policy 7:70)
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'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
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 Officer

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
An absence is considered excused when the school receives a call from the parent or guardian by 10 p.m. of the day of the absence. Following an absence of 4 or more consecutive days the student must bring a note from the parent or guardian upon return to school stating the reason for absences. The parent must call the school every day the child is absent. School phones are capable of taking voice mail messages.

UNEXCUSED
The following are examples of unexcused absences:

1) No phone call from parent/guardian
2) Missing health records
3) Lice - after 3 days
4) Out of school suspension

Following 9 or more unexcused absences or excused absences without valid cause, the student is referred to the Truancy Department for intervention. (Valid cause is defined as illness, observation of religious holidays, death in the immediate family, family emergency, and other health/safety circumstances.)

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

VACATIONS
Vacations during the school year are highly discouraged. Parents who are planning a vacation during the school year are required to notify the school office in writing well in advance of the date of absence. A vacation permission form must be filed with the principal's office.

If vacations take place, they should be scheduled during non-attendance days. However, if this is not possible, a maximum of 5 days per year is excused for vacation. Six (6) or more vacation days will be unexcused.

Although parents must make the final decision regarding a child's absence, the principal and the teacher would be happy to discuss the probable effects upon the student. Parents should understand that student grades may suffer due to absences from school.

Please note: If a student has 10 or more unexcused absences he/she may not participate in any promotional or graduation celebrations and ceremonies.

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. Therefore, the district has a truancy interventionist to monitor 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 caseworker 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.