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Board of Education Van Buren Public School District Attendance The Board of Education as an agency of the State is required to enforce the regular attendance of students. The Board recognizes that the presence in the classroom enables the student to participate in instruction, class discussions, and other related activities. As such, regular attendance and classroom participation are integral to instilling incentives for the student to excel. Attendance shall be required of all District students, except those exempted under Policy or by other provisions of State law, during the days and hours that the school is in session. The Superintendent shall require, from the parent of each student or from an adult student who has been absent for any reason, a written statement and/or confirmation of the cause for such absence. The Board reserves the right to verify such statements and to investigate the cause of each:
The Board may report to the Intermediate School District infractions of the law regarding the attendance of students. Repeated infractions of Board policy requiring the attendance of enrolled students may result in the suspension or expulsion of the student from the District program. · illness · recovery from accident · required court attendance · professional appointments · death in the immediate family · observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday · such other good cause as may be acceptable to the Superintendent Attendance need not always be within the school facilities, but a student will be considered to be in attendance if present at any place where school is in session by authority of the Board. The Board shall consider each student assigned to a program of other guided learning experiences to be in regular attendance for the program. The Superintendent shall develop procedures for the attendance of students which:
ensure that students absent for any excusable
reason have an opportunity to make up work they missed govern the keeping of attendance records in accordance with the rules of the State Board and the Michigan Department of Education Pupil Accounting Manual, including a written electronic attendance procedure, if applicable; Such guidelines should provide that a student's grade in any course is based on his/her performance in the instructional setting and is not reduced for reasons of conduct. If a student violates the attendance or other rules of the school, s/he should be disciplined appropriately for the misconduct, but his/her grades should be based upon what the student can demonstrate s/he has learned M.C.L.A. 380.1561, 380.1561(3a-3c), 380.1586(3)
Student Conduct ATTENDANCE School Attendance Policy It is imperative that students be in attendance each school day in order not to miss a significant portion of their education. Many important learnings result from active participation in the classroom which cannot be replaced by individual study. Attendance is important in the development of a high quality work ethic which will be a significant factor in a student’s success with future employers. One of the most important work habits that employers look for in hiring and promoting a worker is his/her dependability in coming to work every day and on time. This is a habit the School wants to help students develop as early as possible in their school careers.
Unexcused absence from school (truancy) is not acceptable. After ten (10) days of truancy in any semester, a student will be considered an “habitual truant” which can result in:
Excused Absences Students may be excused from school for one or more of the following reasons and will be provided an opportunity to make-up missed school work and/or tests:
Students with a health condition that causes repeated absence are to provide the school office with an explanation of the condition from a registered physician. Parents must provide a written explanation for their child’s absence on the day of the absence or the following day. Students who are excusably absent for more than five (5) days in a grading period, regardless of the reasons, will be considered “frequently absent.” If there is a pattern of frequent absence for “illness,” the parents will be required to provide a statement from a physician describing the health condition that is causing the frequent illness and the treatment that is being provided to rectify the condition. Without such a statement, the student’s permanent attendance record will indicate “frequent unexplained illness,” a possible sign of poor work ethic and irresponsible behavior. During the next grading period, a
“frequently-absent” student will be placed on “attendance watch” to monitor
whether or not the pattern continues. If it continues, the student may be
denied the opportunity to participate in non-curricular school activities and
events and a notation made on his/her transcript concerning his/her frequent
absence from school and a referral may be made to the court for truancy. Suspension from School Absence from school due to suspension shall
be considered an authorized absence, neither excused nor unexcused.
Excusable, Non-approved Absence If a student is absent from school because
of suspension or pre-approved absence, the absence will not be considered a
truancy, and s/he will be given the opportunity to make up the school work that
is missed. Unexcused Absences Any student who is absent from school for all or any part of the day without a legitimate excuse shall be considered truant and the student and his/her parents shall be subject to the truancy laws of the State. If a student, under the age of eighteen
(18), is truant for more than ten (10) total days of truancy during a semester,
s/he will be considered a “habitual” truant and will be reported to the proper
authorities. Notification of Absence If a student is going to be absent, the parents must contact the school upon re-entry and provide an explanation. If prior contact is not possible, the parents should provide a written excuse upon re-entry. When no excuse is provided, the absence will be unexcused and the student will be considered truant. If the absence of a student appears to be questionable or excessive, the school staff will try to help parents improve their child’s attendance. An excused absence allows the student to make up work. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain missed assignments. It is possible that certain kinds of school work such as labs or skill-practice sessions cannot be made up and, as a result, alternative work may be given. Note: Poor attendance may negatively affect mastery of the content.
The skipping of classes or any part of the school day is considered an unexcused
absence. Tardiness A student who is not in his/her assigned location by the tardy bell shall be considered tardy. Any student arriving late to school is to report to the school office. Students who are tardy more than four (4)
times during a semester (elementary a.m., p.m.) shall be disciplined as
follows: community service, detention, suspension, or court referral. Vacations During the School Year Parents are encouraged not to take their child out of school for vacations. When a family vacation must be scheduled during the school year, the parents should discuss the matter with the principal and the student’s teacher(s) to make necessary arrangements. It may be possible for the student to receive certain assignments that are to be completed during the trip.
Make-up of Tests and Other School Work Students who are excusably absent from school or who have been suspended shall be given the opportunity to make-up work that has been missed. The student should contact their teacher(s) as soon as possible to obtain assignments.
If a student misses a teacher’s test due to excused absence, s/he may make arrangements with the teacher to take the test. If s/he misses a State mandated test or other standardized test, the student should consult with the principal to arrange for taking the test, if available. (Elementary and Middle School Only) STUDENT ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL EVENTS The school encourages students to attend as many school events held after school as possible, without interfering with their school work and home activities. Enthusiastic spectators help to build school spirit and encourage those students who are participating in the event. However, in order to ensure that students attending evening events as nonparticipants are properly safe-guarded, it is strongly advised that students be accompanied by a parent or adult chaperone when they attend the event. The School will not be able to supervise unaccompanied students nor will it be responsible for students who arrive without an adult chaperone. The school will continue to provide adequate supervision for all students who are participants in a School activity. Students must comply with the Code of Conduct at school events, regardless of the location. Only students in attendance for more than half the school day may attend after school activities, provided they have not received any discipline referrals.
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