Excused Absences

The District accepts only the following as excusable reasons for absence from school:

• Personal illness—The building principal may require a doctor’s confirmation if s/he deems it advisable;
• Illness in the family;
• Quarantine of the home—This is limited to the length of the quarantine as fixed by the proper health officials;
• Death of a relative; 
• Work at home due to absence of parents/guardians—Any absence arising because of this condition shall not extend for a period longer than that for which the parents were absent from the home nor to any students younger than twelve years of age;
• Observance of religious holidays—Any student shall be excused for the purpose of observing a religious holiday consistent with his/ her creed or belief;
• Out of school suspension;
• Absence during the school day for professional appointments—Parents/guardians are encouraged to schedule medical, dental, legal and other necessary appointments at times other than during the school day. Since this is not always possible, when a student is absent for part of the day:
  • The principal may request a statement to that effect from the student;
  • The principal may request a signed statement from the doctor, dentist, lawyer, counselor, etc. to the effect that the student reported promptly for the appointment.

Absences that do not accumulate against this guideline include: school business, field trips/athletic competitions, and college visits which have been approved in advance by administration. Students in grades 9-12 who are excused for any of these three reasons must make arrangements to make up the assignments, tests and quizzes before the scheduled event.

Vacations

Parents and guardians are discouraged from taking vacations during the school year. However, whenever a proposed absence for vacation is requested, parents must discuss it in advance with the teachers (grades Y5-6) or complete a Vacation Request Form (grades 7-12). After a student returns, s/he may be given approximate assignments and materials for completion.

Extracurricular Participation

A student must be in attendance for the full day in order to participate in a sporting event or extracurricular performance that day, unless excused by a prearranged special excuse. A special excuse is defined as a doctor appointment, dentist appointment, or a funeral. Staying home to rest or calling in sick for half the day is not considered an excused absence. Students who are frequently absent the day following an event or performance may be prohibited from future participation by the administration.

Grades 7-12 Excused Absence Makeup Policy

• Any student with an excused absence from school has the right to make up any missing work for the excused days.
• It is the responsibility of the student to request makeup work from the teacher. The student must request the work on the day s/he returns to school.
• The student will be given one (1) day per each day absent to make up assignments and return them to the teacher.
• Teachers are not required to give any additional aid beyond accepting makeup assignments from the student and administering any tests the student may have missed. The student is responsible for making an appointment with the teacher for any such tests.