Code Number: 501.11
Regular attendance by students is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Students shall attend school unless excused by their Building Administrator. Student absences approved by the Building Administrator shall be excused absences. Excused absences shall 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, and school-sponsored or approved activities.
A parent or guardian must notify the student’s attendance center before 9:00 a.m. or as soon as the parent knows the student will not be attending school on that day. The Building Administrator or his/her designee may request evidence or written verification of the student’s reason for absence. [See individual building handbooks.] Likewise, it shall be the responsibility of the school to contact the parent or guardian when a student is absent without prior approval/parental excuse.
It shall be the responsibility of the student to initiate a procedure with the student’s teacher to complete the work missed. Students whose absences are approved shall make up the work missed and receive full credit for the missed schoolwork.
Students who wish to participate in school-sponsored activities must attend school the entire day on which the activity is scheduled unless permission has been given by the Building Administrator for the student to be absent.
The District believes that traditional, in-person school attendance leads to the greatest learning opportunities for students. However, there may 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 his/her designee will have the 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.
- First Adoption:
- 1994-09-13
- Revision Adoption:
- August 18, 1998/ March 1, 2002/ September 8, 2008/ August 8, 2011/ February 8, 2016/ September 14, 2020
- Reviewed Dates:
- August 18, 2020
- Legal Reference:
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34 C.F.R. Pt. 300
28 C.F.R. Pt. 35
Iowa Code §294.4; Ch. 299
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4)