431 - ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY
Philosophy: The entire process of education depends upon two critical factors: an appropriate learning climate and activities adequately presented by professional educators and the personal participation by the student in a regular continuity of instruction. The School District of Auburndale and the State of Wisconsin places major emphasis on regular school attendance. Students must be physically present to experience the interaction between teacher/student, student/student, and classroom material to receive the maximum benefit of his/her educational experience. Classroom participation, direct involvement in learning experiences and study are a necessary part of a child's education. Students who miss school frequently experience great difficulty in achieving the maximum benefit of the classroom and entire schools educational program. Make up assignments cannot duplicate the learning experience present within each classrooms daily environment. It, therefore, remains the students and parents primary responsibility to ensure that each student is present within the classroom setting. In accordance with the State of Wisconsin, Wood County Truancy Committee and the School District of Auburndale, all children between six (6) and eighteen (18) years of age must attend school full time until the end of the term, quarter or semester in which they become eighteen (18) years of age unless they have received a legal excuse as defined by the District policy on excused and unexcused absences, fall under one of the exceptions outlined in the State Statutes, or have graduated from High School.Students who desire to leave school prior to the age of eighteen (18) years of age may be denied by law unless all of the following criteria is met:
l. Student must have reached the age of sixteen (16) to be excused from school attendance by the Board of Education.
2. The Student and Parents/Guardian have submitted a written request to the Auburndale High School requesting the student be allowed to be excused from further school attendance. This request will be retained as part of the students permanent records.
3. The Student and his/her Parent/Guardian agree in writing that the student will pursue further education in accordance with State law and requirements, until she/he reaches eighteen (18) years of age. The name of the institution, exact date of enrollment and a detailed plan for completion of his/her educational curriculum leading to a High School diploma is required.
4. The written agreement is submitted and approved by a majority vote of the Board of Education.
5. The Student complies with the written agreement. In the situation of noncompliance by the student with this agreement she/he will be required to resume normal attendance with the Auburndale Schools or subject to truancy petition in accordance with the Wood County Ordinances.
LEGAL REFERENCE: WISCONSIN STATUTES, 118.15, 118.153, 118.16, 118.162, 118.165.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ATTENDANCE
Parent(s)/Guardian Responsibility
l. When a student is absent, his/her parent(s) or guardian shall contact the school during the day by the time established at each school. Failure to contact the school may result in a telephone call to the home or work place of the parent or guardian.
2. Parents or guardians are required to provide a written explanation of absences at the time the student returns to school, or in the case of anticipated absences, prior to the absence. Anticipated absences shall receive prior approval of the school attendance officer, or designee.
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF AUBURNDALE'S DETERMINATION OF EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES.
Wisconsin Statutes 118.15 Compulsory School Attendance - Any person having under control a child who is between the ages of six (6) and eighteen (18) years shall cause the child to attend school regularly during the full period and hours, religious holidays excepted, that the public or private school in which the child should be enrolled is in session until the end of the school term, quarter or semester of the school year in which the child becomes eighteen (18) years of age.
EXCUSED ABSENCES: The School District of Auburndale recognizes the following reasons for valid excused absences. Excused absences allow students to make up missed assignments, class work and tests without penalty under the following criteria: a) It is the Students responsibility to contact the teacher(s) to make arrangements for making up assignments missed during an absence from school. b) Students are allowed the number of days absent plus one day to make up all missed assignments without penalty. Exceptions may only be granted by the building principal.
1. Illness of Student: Parent written verification is required. The School District may request the Parent/Guardian to obtain a written statement from a physician as proof of the physical condition of the student. Such excuses shall be made in writing, shall state the period of time for which it is valid and shall not exceed thirty days.
2. Dental, Medical and other valid professional appointments: Parent written verification is required. The School District may request the Parent/Guardian to obtain a Medical/Dental appointment card. Parents are
urged to make appointments during non-school hours.
3. Family Emergencies: An emergency is defined as an unusual occurrence that requires a students attendance with the family. At home work assignments or private employment assignments do not constitute family emergencies. As defined by the State of Wisconsin, the local school district remains the sole determining factor of the validity of the emergency situation.
4. Unique situations which require the students absence from school (family vacations, school visitations, etc). A parent written verification is required. All unique situations require preapproval from the building principal and advanced makeup of all class assignments prior to approval of the absence. Students receiving failing grades will normally not receive permission. A student trip without parent accompaniment will not be considered a valid excuse.
5. A death in the immediate family or funerals for close relatives or friends. Parents written verification is
required.
6. Approved school activities during class time.
7. Special circumstances that show good cause, and are approved in advance by the principal. Parents written verification is required.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: Unexcused absences are absences which do not meet school approval criteria of "excused absences". Those absences determined to be unexcused will result in loss of credit for class assignments, tests etc., during the period covered under this absence.
Students who are absent from school with the consent of their Parent/Guardian, but whose absence does not meet the aforementioned criteria of excused absence, shall be considered unexcused. In such cases, the student will be expected to submit a written statement signed by his/her Parent/Guardian explaining the reason for the absence. On the basis of this statement, the Principal will determine whether credit for the makeup work will be granted.
The Principal of each school located in the district shall serve as the school attendance officer and deal with all matters relating to school attendance and truancy.
TRUANCY POLICY - STUDENTS DETERMINED TO BE ABSENT FROM SCHOOL WITHOUT LEGAL EXCUSE - TRUANT
Any child who is absent from school without acceptable excuse under sub. (4) and S. ll8.l5 for part or all of five (5) or more days out of ten (10) consecutive days in a semester and/or part or all of ten (l0) or more days in a semester shall be judged a truant.
TRUANCY PROCEDURES
1. Upon determining a child is truant for either a part of all of a full day of school, the teacher and/or attendance secretary will contact the principal who shall make a discipline referral and notify the parents b telephone or in person (or by mail, if phone/person not available. Form A.) This notification shall include: A statement of the Parents/Guardian responsibility under law for the child's required attendance and a statement of penalties which could be imposed if child fails to attend school, an explanation of the Wisconsin Statute ll8.l6 and directions that the parents return the student to school no later than the next scheduled school day. All notification either by phone, person or by mail is to be recorded in writing (Form B). All mail contacts will be by registered letter (Form A).
DOCUMENTATION: For each truancy up to three (3) the above steps outlined in number one (l) above must be followed and recorded on the contact summary record. Form B.
l. Upon the fourth (4th) truancy the teacher and/or attendance secretary will contact the principal who shall make a discipline referral and notify the parents by registered letter (Form C). This notification shall include: A statement of the Parents/Guardian responsibility under law for the child's required attendance and a statement of penalties which could be imposed if a child fails to attend school. An explanation of the Wisconsin Statute ll8.l6 and directions that the parents return the student to school no later than the next scheduled school day. Additionally, the student will be required to attend counseling session(s) (Form D and Letter E). The counselor shall provide an opportunity for educational counseling and determine if curriculum and/or program modifications would resolve truancy problems. The counselor shall complete a counseling referral form (Form D and Letter E) and evaluate the student for possible social problems which inhibit his/her attendance. All notification either by phone, person or by mail is to be recorded in writing (Form B). All mail contacts will be by registered letter.
2. On each subsequent absence determined to be truant (beginning with five (5) of ten (l0) or up to ten (l0) in a semester), a registered letter (Form F) shall be sent to the parents which shall include an explanation of the Wisconsin Statute ll8.l6 and directions that the parents return the student to school no later than the next scheduled school day. Additionally, the student will be required to attend further counseling session(s) (Form D and Letter E). The Counselor shall provide an opportunity for educational counseling and determination in conjunction with the school at risk committee if curriculum and/or program modifications would resolve truancy problems. The student shall be referred to the school Psychologist for evaluation for possible learning problems. The Counselor, Psychologist and At Risk Committee shall complete a counseling referral form (Form D and Letter E). All notification either by phone, person or by mail is to be recorded in writing (Form B). All mail contacts will be by registered letter (Form F).
3. On the fifth (5th) and subsequent truancies, (Five (5) out of ten (l0) days in a semester or the tenth (l0th) total day in a semester) the student shall be determined to be a Habitual Truant. (See Habitual Truant)
HABITUAL TRUANT
l. The student has been truant five (5) or more days out of ten (l0) consecutive days in a semester and/or part or all of ten (l0) or more days in a semester shall be judged a truant.
2. All notices have been sent by registered mail (Form F). Upon reaching the fifth (5th) or ten (l0) days in a
semester, the teacher and/or attendance secretary will contact the principal who shall make a discipline referral to the appropriate county Social Service Agency and notify the Parents by Registered letter of this referral. This notification shall include: A statement of the Parents/Guardian responsibility under law for
the child's required attendance and a statement of penalties which could be imposed if the child fails to
attend school. An explanation of the Wisconsin Statute ll8.l6 and directions that the Parents returned the student to school no later than the next scheduled school day.
3. A completed Truancy worksheet (Form G) and a court referral-juvenile (Form H) will be submitted to the appropriate Social Agency upon referral. A copy of both forms will be retained in the pupils records until such time he/she completes her/his high school degree or reaches the age of eighteen (l8).
Adopted: September 27, 1989
Posted: 11/14/2007 12:16:58 pm