Attendance is So Important…
Regular school attendance is a critical factor for academic success. It is very important for students to be in school and on time every day. Unfortunately, each year we have students who have frequent incidents of incomplete instruction time due to absence, tardiness, and early departure. These incidents cost the student valuable instructional time and interrupt the instruction of other students in the classroom.
Parents and guardians are expected to ensure their children attend school regularly. A student is considered chronically absent if they are out of the classroom 10 percent or more. 10% equals 18 days or more over one school year.
The school district requires its students to attend school every day school is in session, except when excused by the school district. In cases where building administration concludes a parent or legal guardian is failing to comply with Michigan’s compulsory school attendance law, the matter may be referred to Child Protective Services or the appropriate police agency/prosecutor’s office.
The school district’s policy was written in accordance with the following laws, ordinances, and guidelines:
● Michigan Compulsory Education Law (MCL 380.1147, 380.1284, 380.1284a, 380.1561- 380.1599
● Wayne County Third Circuit Court, Family Division, Juvenile Division, Truancy Intervention
● Riverview Ordinance, Sec. 38-378
Parents and those legally responsible for minors within the State of Michigan are required by law to see that their students attend school continuously and consecutively from the age of 6 until their eighteenth birthday. MCL - Section 380.1561
Reporting absences: Parents are encouraged to report an absence in a timely manner. Each building has a 24-hour voicemail for this purpose. Failure to report an absence will result in an unexcused absence being recorded and an automated phone call will be made. Parents should call the school no later than 7:45 am on the day following the absence to be recorded as called-in.
Select option 1 for the voicemail.
● Huntington: 734-283-4820
Students are expected to be in class on time and to remain at school for the entire school day.
There are three types of attendance infractions: absent, tardiness, and early departure. These incidents cost the student valuable instructional time and disrupt classroom instruction. Tardiness and early departure will be classified under the same criteria for absences.
ABSENT: Student is not physically present in class.
TARDINESS: Student is not in their class when the bell rings.
EARLY DEPARTURE: Student leaves or is removed prior to the dismissal bell.
DOCUMENTED ABSENCE
A documented absence is an absence that is accompanied by a third party/professional document.
This means that the parent or guardian brings in a document from a doctor, court, etc. indicating why the student missed school.
● Documented absences are the only absence which will not count toward truancy.
● Students' attendance records will show either “D” or “B”.
● Examples of documented absences:
○ Medical – student was absent because of illness or to obtain health care. A note from the doctor’s office indicating the dates the student should be out of school should be turned into the office.
○ Religious - Student absence was caused by observance of religious occasions formally recognized by an organized faith to which the student or the student's family belongs, and which requires abstinence from the activities of daily life or attendance at religious services. A note on the letterhead of the religious organization is acceptable.
○ Family Emergency – Student absence was caused by family emergency such as a death or funeral, serious illness, or other crisis requiring absence from school. Supporting documentation should be turned into the office.
○ Administrative – Absences that are necessary for personal or confidential reasons such as court appearances, child abuse situations or other extenuating circumstances. Supporting documentation should be turned into the office.
○ School Activity – Absence because of a pre-arranged school activity or function. Documentation/authorization will be provided by teacher, sponsor, coach, or administrator.
CALLED-IN ABSENCE
● Any absence that is called in by the parent or legal guardian but is not accompanied by documentation as listed under documented absences.
● Called-in absences are included in truancy.
● Attendance record will show “C”.
UNEXCUSED
● Any absence that is not called-in by the parent or legal guardian and is not accompanied by documentation as listed under documented absences.
● Unexcused absences are included in truancy.
