Attendance Policy
The entire process of education requires a regular continuity of instruction, classroom participation, learning experiences, and study in order to reach the goal of maximum educational benefits for each individual child. The regular contact of the students with one another in the classroom and their participation in instructional activities under the tutelage of a competent teacher are vital to this purpose. This is an established principle of education that underlies and gives purpose to the requirement of compulsory schooling in this and every other state in the nation. The good things that schools have to offer can only be presented to students who are in attendance. With continued emphasis regarding Excellence in Education, all parties involved in attendance can better strive for quality in the classroom.
Attendance reflects a student’s dependability and is a significant factor on the student’s permanent record. Future employers are as much concerned about punctuality and dependability as they are about academic record. School success, scholarship, and job opportunity are greatly affected by good attendance.
Kimberly Public School District expects all students to attend school regularly and be on time for all classes in order to benefit from the instructional program and to develop habits of punctuality, self discipline, and responsibility.
STATEMENT OF POLICY
- A student will not be given credit for any class, if the student has exceeded the number of absences (excused and unexcused) set by each school level. Building principals, at their discretion, may grant a waiver of the attendance violation granting the student credit if the violation is a result of extenuating circumstances.
- A parent/student may, in writing, request an Attendance Review Committee hearing to appeal the “FA” (failure due to attendance violation) grade and lack of credit for the class due to an attendance violation. Membership and the role of the Attendance Review Committee will be established by the building level principal. It is the parent and student’s responsibility to contact the principal of the school to schedule this hearing. Appeals of the Attendance Review Committee’s decision will be taken to the superintendent. Appeals of the superintendent’s decision will be taken to the Kimberly Board of Trustees whose decision is final.
TRUANCY
- Prohibited Acts: Any person between the ages of seven (7) and sixteen (16) years of age, living in the city/county of Twin Falls who is deemed truant from school or class, under the attendance regulations of the school, without the consent of the student’s parent/guardian or school officials is guilty of a status offense.
- Attendance Required: The parent or guardian of any child resident in this State who has attained the age of (7) years at the time of the commencement of school in his district, but not the age of sixteen (16) years, shall cause the child to be instructed in subjects commonly and usually taught in the public schools for the State of Idaho. Unless the child is otherwise comparably instructed, the parent or guardian shall cause the child to attend a public, private or parochial school during a period in each year equal to that in which the public schools are in session; there to conform to the attendance policies and regulations established by the Board of Trustees, or other governing body, operating the school attended.
- Exceptions: Any exceptions to this requirement are as codified by any school district in which the student attended or, as contained in Idaho Code, title 33, Chapter 2 are hereby recognized and given full force and effect.
CLEARING AN ABSENCE
Policies and procedures to clear an absence are set by each individual school and noted in the student handbook. Parents/guardians of students that will be considered un-excused will be contacted by the school.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
An excused absence is given via verification and permission of the parent/guardian. Excessive days of illness resulting in an attendance violation could require a physician’s written statement. Students and families are expected to work with teachers to secure assignments, and students are responsible to complete any necessary makeup assignments. Failure to return the completed work to the teacher in a reasonable time may result in a late grade for that assignment (Refer to policy 2420 regarding late assignments.) A reasonable length of time is generally considered to be within the same number of days the student was absent. The principal of the school is granted the authority to make exceptions based on individual/family needs.
TRUANCY - Defined
A student is considered to be truant whenever he/she is absent from school or class without the consent of the student’s parent/guardian or school officials. Absences from school or class after arrival at school and departures from school during the school day without permission of school officials shall be considered a truancy. A truancy is a major disciplinary violation and parents/guardians will be notified. After the fourth truancy, in any school year, the Board authorizes the building principal to declare a student habitually truant. Valid reasons for absences include illness, purposes concerning family operations, and other reasons deemed significant by parents and school officials.
UN-EXCUSED ABSENCES
An un-excused absence given when permission to be absent has not been given/verified by a parent/guardian or a school official and may be considered a truancy. Allowing credit for assignments missed due to an un-excused absence will be at the discretion of the building administration.
TARDIES
Tardy policies and procedures will be set by each individual school and noted in the student handbook.
SCHOOL ACTIVITY ABSENCES
On occasion, a student may miss classes because of athletic or academic field trips. These are not considered absences, but rather an extension of the regular school program. Assignments missed will be given the same consideration as an excused absence.
Ten (10) Consecutive Absences
In the event a student is absent ten (10) consecutive days the student will be dropped from enrollment. The principal will ensure that there has been communication with the parent/guardian regarding the absences. Building level principals may choose to keep a student enrolled, that has missed ten (10) consecutive days, if the absences are due to medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances. Principals should refer to policy 2155 Homebound, Hospital, and Home Instruction, to determine if the student qualifies for the services identified in the policy.
Policy History:
Revised: 9/15/94; January 1998; June 1999; May 2002; April 8, 2003; October 20, 2010; September 21, 2016; February 20, 2019.