Attendance Information
Regular attendance is necessary for the student's academic success. It also promotes a positive work ethic for employment skills and future success.
Parents/guardians are requested to notify the office via a note or telephone call prior to 9:10 a.m. on or before the day their child will be absent for any reason.
The voice mail attendance hotline is open 24 hours per day. That number is 952-758-1505.
Failure to call will result in an unexcused absence. This policy has been instituted for the safety of your child, therefore, your cooperation is appreciated.
Dismissal During the Day
Parents/guardians are asked to call or send a note with their child prior to appointments and vacations, etc. Please include the name of the person picking up your child if it is someone other than the parent/guardian. Whoever picks up the child will be asked to sign the child out of the office while a secretary contacts the child through the teacher. Students picked up prior to 3:30 p.m. will result in one-half day absence.
Excused Absences
An absence will be excused if the parent calls the school or provides a written note which is signed by a parent/guardian and states that the absence is a result of one of the following conditions:
- Illness, injury, or hospitalization of the student. Illness totaling ten (10) days per year may require a report from a doctor. All students falling behind in the classroom due to absences may be referred to the Student/Teacher Assistance Team.
- Disability of the student.
- Medical, dental, and other professional appointments which cannot be scheduled outside school hours. This does not include haircuts, etc.
- Family emergency, serious illness in the family, or a death in the family.
- Religious or cultural holidays or observances as approved by the administration.
- Mandatory court appearances.
- Conditions beyond the student's control. Examples are: automobile accident or delayed school bus due to inclement weather.
- Pre-approved family trip. Parents are strongly encouraged to schedule such trips during school breaks and vacations.
- Compliance with any provision of a disabled student's Individual Education Plan or Section 504 Accommodation Plan.
- Special education assessment performed by or at the direction of school district personnel.
- Pre-excused participation in a school-sponsored activity. Examples are music lessons pre-arranged with the music teacher or a school-sponsored music performance.
- Vacation. Work will be assigned prior to leaving on a vacation. The due date is up to the teacher's discretion.
Unexcused Absences
Examples are:
- Running late
- Oversleeping
- A malfunctioning alarm clock
- Missing the bus
- Shopping
- Visiting friends
- A haircut
Medical Absence
If a student has been out of school for two days or longer because of illness or hospitalization and a note is submitted from their doctor stating the medical condition and length of absence, the attendance record will be corrected to reflect the fact that the absence was due to a medical reason.
Tardies
The student's day begins at 9:00 a.m. The tardy bell rings at 9:10 a.m. Students arriving after 9:10 a.m. must get signed in at the office and take a yellow slip to their teacher.
Extended Absences
- Parents should be aware that according to Minnesota Sate Law, a student who is absent for fifteen (15) consecutive days must be withdrawn.
- No credit is earned during the time a student is not enrolled.
- Students under 18 years of age who have any combination of 7 unexcused absences will result in a Truancy Petition being filed with the appropriate County District Court, Juvenile Court Division.
- If the student has suffered an extended illness and required work has not been completed, the class record will show an 'Incomplete.' A grade will be assigned after the work is completed according to the make-up policy guidelines.
- If a student experiences an extended, long-term illness of 15 consecutive school days, he/she may be eligible for homebound instruction. Parents should contact a counselor or the principal to make these arrangements.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
- Hold your child accountable for regular attendance and for following the attendance policy.
- Limit absences by scheduling appointments, vacations, etc. after school or on non-school days.
- Notify the office in writing of an extended pre-excused absence before the absence.
- Contact the office, social worker, and/or teacher if you have any concerns about your child's attendance.