In the state of Minnesota, it is the law that all children attend school until the age of 18. Students who miss more than a combined total of 3 hours of school are considered truant and in violation of the state law on compulsory education.

The senior high school staffs of District #279 believe that classroom attendance and academic success are directly related. The following attendance procedure is an effort to assure this success. The senior high staff intends this procedure to be positive and not punitive.

Class attendance is a joint responsibility to be shared by the student, parent or guardian, and the school personnel. This procedure will assist students in attending class.

Student Responsibility
It is the students' responsibility to attend each scheduled class. Classroom experiences are meaningful and essential components of the learning process. Meeting class attendance requirements helps instill concepts of self-discipline and exposes the students to group interactions with teachers and fellow students. It also enables the student to hear and participate in class discussions and involves the student in educational experiences not available in other circumstances. Instructional and learning opportunities lost through absence from class may not be retrievable. Students are also responsible to make sure all unexcused absences are cleared within 5 days. Students should check with the attendance office every once in a while.

Parent/Guardian Responsibility
Parents/Guardians should encourage the student to attend school, to inform the school in the event of a student absence, and to work cooperatively with the school and student to solve any attendance problem that may arise.

Teacher Responsibility
It is the teacher's responsibility to maintain an accurate attendance record, start and end each class on time, make each student accountable for their attendance by questioning students about all unaccounted and unexcused absences, and communicating attendance concerns.

Excused Absence
Examples of excused absences are:

• sickness
• religious holiday and instruction not to exceed three hours a week
• family vacations provided prior approval has been obtained
• serious illness or death of a family member or close relative
• appointments that cannot be scheduled outside of class periods provided prior approval has been obtained.
• approved school activities
• family emergencies
• court appearances
• suspensions

Unexcused Absence
Examples of unexcused absences are:

• absences without parental permission and/or administrative approval.
• arrival more than 5 minutes late to class (applies to periods 2-6)
• oversleeping or missing the bus/ride.
• failure to follow the proper procedures when leaving the school building.
• babysitting
• work at a business, except under school-sponsered work release program.
• any other absence not included under the attendance procedures.

Grade Reductions
Class attendance and academic success are directly related.

Consistently having unexcused absence will result in incremental grade reduction.