Attendance

The habit of regular and faithful attendance is prerequisite to successful school life. Students should be absent only in cases of illness or emergency. The Board of Education directs the school administration and staff to enforce, on a consistent basis, all school regulations relative to school attendance. These regulations shall require that all absences shall be verified by phone, by the student’s parent or legal guardian. When a student is ill and unable to attend school, parents are asked to call the school office that morning (847.498.3830) by 8:00 a.m. to report the absence. Students absent for three or more consecutive days due to illness will be required to submit a written statement from a physician which includes the diagnoses for the extended absence.

If the office staff cannot personally answer the phone call, please leave a message including your child’s name, morning teacher and the reason for the absence. Parents who do not notify the school when their children are absent will receive a phone call from the office staff. This telephone message policy has been implemented in order to ensure the safety and security of your children.

Board of Education policy requires all student to be in full attendance for the entire school day. State attendance reporting regulations require a student must be in attendance 2.5 hours in both the morning and afternoon or be reported absent for the respective half day. Students arriving late, but within the 2.5 hour limit shall be considered tardy.

For example:

1. A student who arrives at 8:40 a.m. and attends more than 2.5 hours in the morning, between 8:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., is considered TARDY.
2. A student who arrives at 9:25 a.m. and attends less than 2.5 hours in the morning, between 8:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., is considered ABSENT HALF DAY morning.
3. A student who arrives at 1:40 p.m. and attends less than 2.5 hours between 11:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., is considered ABSENT HALF DAY.
4. A student who is present until 2:45 p.m. and attends more than 2.5 hours in the afternoon between 11:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., is considered EARLY DISMISSAL with written parent authorization.

This policy is in compliance with the ISBE attendance regulations and is strictly enforced. Children with chronic absences will receive a truancy letter from the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services.

The reasons for an excused absence shall include illness of a student or a family emergency such as a death in the family or a religious holiday. All other absences are unexcused even if the school office or teacher have been notified. Students absent for three or more consecutive days due to illness will be required to submit a written statement from a physician which includes the diagnoses for the extended absence.

Physical Education and recess are considered a part of the regular school day. If your child has been ill and returned to school he/she may be excused no more than two consecutive days from PE and/or recess by a written parent request. If an absence for more than three consecutive days is necessary, a note from a physician stating the reason is required.

If a child has been ill or disabled in any manner, a physician must verify any physical education limits upon that child’s return to school. If a physician feels that the child is able to participate in a physical education setting with limitations, those limitations must be clearly identified in the physician’s note. Once those restrictions have been lifted, a note from the physician is required in order for the student to resume normal physical education activities.

Students who are late to school must report to the office for a “tardy slip” before going to class. An excused tardy may be given for any written verification for medical purposes or family emergencies. Excused tardies are given for late buses. Unexcused tardies are defined as all other reasons.