Attendance Policy
A student will be considered absent for the morning
if arriving at school one half hour after the school
start time and absent for the afternoon if leaving one
hour before dismissal time. Students who are tardy need
to report to the office when arriving at school.
Students who leave school during the day must be signed
out through the office. The Minnesota statutes require
that all children between the ages of seven (7) and
sixteen (16), mentally and physically fit, must attend
school every day that it is in session.
Reporting Absences
Students who have been absent from school must bring
a note of explanation signed by the parent or guardian
or the parent or guardian must telephone the elementary
office indicating why the student is absent.
Prearranged absences are those, which you know will
occur on certain dates. Parents must contact the
elementary office when they know their child will be
absent. Arrangements will be made in advance for the
student to make up schoolwork. Family vacations require
pre-notification.
Truancy and
Educational Neglect
As per Minnesota Stature 260A.01, an elementary student
is considered a continuing truant when there have been
three (3) or more unexcused absences without a lawful
excuse. Parents who do not send their children to
school regularly may be charged with educational
neglect. Educational neglect is legally defined as a
parent’s failure to ensure the child’s regular
attendance at school. Student’s attendance should be
considered for review and possible intervention any time
after a student is absent or tardy three or more school
days (not consecutive, excused or unexcused).
Elementary Policy
Attendance habits begin in the primary grades.
Frequent absences interfere with the learning process
and leave students at high risk for educational failure.
Students at the elementary level have limited control
over circumstances in the home, which may prevent them
from getting to school regularly and on time.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that
children attend school. Hills-Beaver Creek Public
Schools comply with Minnesota Compulsory Attendance
Laws.
Student
Responsibilities
1) Students are to attend class on time.
2) Students need to be familiar with the attendance
policy.
3) Students are responsible for completing missed
assignments in a timely manner as defined by the
teacher.
4) Students may not leave school grounds without
permission for any reason
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
1) Parents are expected
to insure that their children attend school.
2) Parents shall inform the school of absences within 48
hours of an absence.
3) Parents should help their children in completing
their make-up work.
4) Parents should schedule student appointments outside
the school day to minimize the impact of his/her absence
on attendance.
Teacher
Responsibilities
1) Teachers will take attendance
daily.
2) When a student is absent, teachers will inform the
student of the assignments they have missed and when
they are due.
3) Teachers will encourage students to attend school and
will report frequent absences.
4) Teachers are expected to communicate concerns about
attendance to parents.
Administrative
Responsibilities
1) Principal will inform teachers and
parents of the attendance policy.
2) Principal will insure that procedures to address
attendance concerns are developed as needed
3) Principal is expected to communicate with parents
when student attendance becomes a concern and encourage
parents to remediate any attendance problems.
4) The principal will insure that attendance of students
will be monitored on a weekly basis. Parents or
guardians will be contacted when attendance concerns
(absences and tardies) are noted.
Interventions for Excess Absences/Tardiness
The following procedure will be used for excessive
absences
1) On the sixth (6) absence/Tardy in one semester,
parents or guardians will be notified by letter.
2) On the eighth (8) absences/tardy in one semester, a
conference will be held, if requested, with the
principal, appropriate staff, parents or guardians and
student.
3) If the student is absent/tardy an eleventh (11) time
in one semester, conference will be held with the
principal, appropriate staff, parents/guardians and
student (if deemed appropriate). A plan will be
implemented that will assist the student from having
further absences/tardies from school, and will identify
services available to assist the family in improving the
child’s attendance.
4) If attendance does not improve a referral will be
made to Rock County Human Services.
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