Attendance Goal: All students will attend school at least 95% of the school year. In order to achieve this goal, students cannot miss more than 9 days of school for the year. All students who achieve this goal will receive a certificate at the end of the year and will be included in quarterly drawings for various prizes. Classrooms who achieve this goal will also receive weekly and monthly attendance prizes throughout the year. School attendance is very important. Every absence from school interferes with a child’s opportunity to learn. There is a growing body of research showing that Chronic Absenteeism, usually defined by researchers as missing 10% or more of the school year (including excused and unexcused absences), has a significant negative effect on student achievement and may put a student at academic risk. The goal for Quail Hollow Elementary students is to miss no more than 5% of the school year, in an effort to help every student be successful now and in the future.
School Success Goes Hand in Hand with Being in School Every Day! Did You Know…?
• Many absences, even in kindergarten, can cause children to fall behind in school.
• Missing just a day or two every month can make it harder to learn to read by the third grade.
• Students with too many absences struggle to catch up, even with take-home assignments.
• Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves.
What Can You Do?
● Develop a regular bedtime and morning routine.
● Avoid missing school unless a child is truly sick and seek help if chronic illness is a challenge. Check with our school nurse or office staff if you are not sure about when to keep your child at home due to illness.
● If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school support staff,or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
Types of Absences per Canyons District policy 500.35;
• Valid Excused Absence: An absence excused for the following reasons:
● ie. illness, medical appointment, family death, approved school activity, weddings, scheduled pre-approved education leave.
• Guardian Excused Absence: An absence excused by a parent/legal guardian within five school days of the absence occurring.
● Parents must call the office or send a note within one week of the absence. The limit is five (5) days each school year. Any additional absences without notification will be considered unexcused.
• Unexcused Absence: Any absence without a valid excuse.
Communication Procedure for Valid Excused Absences
• For absence types noted in the list above: Parents will notify the school office via phone, a note or in person within five school days of the absence occurring for it to be excused.
• Procedure for Education/Vacation Leave: A student may be allowed up to ten (10) days for education/vacation leave in a given school year, if prior arrangements have been made with the school for the student to make up his/her homework.
● Prior to education leave, parents must complete an Education Leave/Vacation Form and submit the form to the school office for approval. Teachers will complete the “Work to Be Completed” section and determine a reasonable due date. School administration will verify education leave absences.
Accumulated Unexcused Absences
Unexcused Absences
What happens if my student accumulates unexcused absences?
(Including more than 5 Guardian Excused absences)
2-3 Parent Contact – Phone Call or Email – Teachers will contact parents and inquire if the student is doing okay, express concern, and ask what the school can do to support the student making up work and not falling behind.
3-5 Parent Contact – Phone Call or Email – School secretary will contact parents and inquire if the student is doing okay, express concern, and ask what the school can do to support the student. Any information will be documented and shared with the principal.
6-8 Notification of Attendance Issue Letter #1- School secretary will call parents to ask how the school can support and will let parents know they will be receiving Attendance Letter #1. Any information from parents will be documented and shared with the principal.
9-12 Notification of Attendance Issue Letter #2 – Secretary will call parents to set up an appointment with the parents and the principal. The parents will also be notified that they will be receiving Attendance Letter #2. Any information from parents will be documented and shared with the principal. The purpose of the meeting will be to share attendance data and for the school to better understand the students needs and learn what supports parents would like to help improve their child’s attendance.
13+ Notification of Attendance Issue Letter #3 – Attendance Secretary will call parents to inquire about the supports needed, obtain any updated information regarding the student. The updated information will be shared with the principal. The secretary will notify parents that Attendance Letter #3 will be sent.
The principal will reach out to parents to set up a time to meet and develop an attendance intervention plan of support.
● After 4 weeks following the Intervention Meeting with parents
○ If intervention is working,
■ A phone call to provide positive feedback
○ If intervention is NOT working (and student continues to have more absences)
■ The District Rep. from Responsive Services Dept. will attend the next intervention meeting.
