Adoption Date: 06/22/2021

History: 3/22/22 (reviewed), 2/14/23 (reviewed), 2/13/24 (reviewed)

Regular attendance by students is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents or guardians and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students will attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.

Student absences approved by the principal are excused absences. Excused absences will count as days in attendance for purposes of the truancy law. These absences include, but are not limited to, illness, family emergencies, recognized religious observances, appointments that cannot be scheduled outside the school day and school-sponsored or approved activities.

The district believes that traditional, in-person school attendance leads to the greatest learning opportunities for students. In recent years, the district has also offered an accredited online learning program to meet the needs of some of our students. However, there may also be rare and unusual circumstances created by public emergencies declared by state or local officials which temporarily prevent students from attending traditional, in-person schools. In these circumstances, the superintendent or designee will have discretion to make reasonable accommodations for students, on a case-by-case basis, to attend school through remote learning opportunities within the available resources of the district and as permitted by law. During approved remote learning, attendance will be taken, assessments may be administered, and grades will count towards students’ cumulative grade point average as if they were attending in person. The provision of special education and accommodations for students who have individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans will be determined by each respective IEP or Section 504 team.

Students whose absences are approved will make up the work missed and receive full credit for the missed school work. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a procedure with the student's teacher to complete the work missed.

Students who wish to participate in school-sponsored activities must attend school one-half day the day of the activity unless permission has been given by the principal for the student to be absent.

It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to notify the student's attendance center as soon as the parent or guardian knows the student will not be attending school on that day. The principal may request evidence or written verification of the student's reason for absence.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent or designee, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Policy References:

Legal Reference:

34 C.F.R. sec. 300
28 C.F.R. Pt. 35
Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).