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ELEMENTARY ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students will be expected to attend classes regularly and to be on time in order to receive maximum benefit from the instructional program.  While it is possible for an absent student to make up much of the school work missed, it is impossible to completely compensate for absence from classes.  Life-long patterns of responsibility and self-discipline of regular attendance and promptness are fostered by attention given them during the years of school attendance.

We realize absences occur that are completely appropriate and legitimate.  Therefore, a call from a parent or guardian is needed each day the student is absent.  Please call West Elementary (527-4886) before 8:30 a.m.  We have an answering machine for your convenience to report any absences.  Please help us by making this phone call so there will be no misunderstanding as to the type of absence the student has.  When parents call the school to report absences, the school is assured that the child is safe.  The principal will determine whether the absence is excused or unexcused.  The following are usually considered excused:

          1.  Student is ill.

          2.  Medical, dental or vision appointment which cannot be made other than during

               school time.

          3.  Death or serious illness in the immediate family or household.

          4.  Other reasons which can be justified from an educational standpoint.

Note:  Excessive absenteeism may result in a student needing a doctor’s note.

The following schedule is used to determine if an absence is to be counted as a full

or half day:

          1.  Students need to be in their classrooms by 8:20.

          2.  If a student arrives at school after 8:20 a.m. and before 9:00 a.m., it will

               be considered a tardy.

          3.  If a student arrives after 9:00 a.m., but by or before 1:00 p.m., the absence

               will be counted as one-half day.

          4.  Entry after 1:00 p.m. will be counted as a full-day absence.

          5.  If a student leaves before 10:00 a.m. and does not return, the absence is

               counted as a full day.

          6.  If a student leaves after 10:00 a.m. and does not return, the absence is counted

               as one-half day.

          7.  No absence is counted if a student leaves after 2:30 p.m.

          8.  Special allowances may be made on “shortened” school days.

Attendance:  School Extracurricular Activities

Students must be present a minimum of ½ school day in order to attend extracurricular activities.  Exceptions can be made for just cause, with approval of building administrator.

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

In January 1995, the Glenwood School Board revised the compulsory attendance policy that requires parents within the school district to have their child attend school on a regular basis.

This policy specifies the number of days each student is to be in attendance.  The policy states that students "shall attend a minimum of forty days per quarter and a minimum of one hundred sixty days per year".

Most students in the Glenwood School District have good attendance and this policy will have little impact on them.  If, however, a student is absent more than five days in a quarter or more than 20 days a school year and the parent fails to communicate with the school, or the reasons for the absences are not approved, the matter will be referred to the county attorney.

Students who are under sixteen years of age are required to attend school on a regular basis.  Students must attend a minimum of 40 days a quarter and a minimum of 160 days per school year in order to be considered in regular attendance.  If a student must be absent in excess of the above outlined days, the parent/guardian has the responsibility of contacting the school to discuss the absences.  Violations of the compulsory attendance law will be reported to the Mills County Attorney.

TARDINESS POLICY

Students are considered tardy when school begins at 8:20 and they are not in their assigned seats.  Any time a student enters the building after 8:20 they must report first to the office for a pass to class.  The principal will then determine if the tardy is excused or unexcused.  Students will be allowed two unexcused tardies for the year without penalty (after school detention.)  Students who are often late to school or classes will be required to serve after-school detention or ISS.

 

West Elementary
Glenwood, Iowa
01/09/2008

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