How To...

Report an Absence: 

Dial 513-347-2970, then 2, then 9. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is VERY important that the student’s name, grade, and reason for absence are left on the hotline.

Obtain an Early Dismissal:

Always send a note with the student on the morning of the early dismissal. Notes may be sent prior to the day of the early dismissal. Please avoid calling the office for an early dismissal to minimize disruptions to classroom activities.

The note for early dismissal needs to contain the student’s grade, date & time of early dismissal, reason for leaving, phone number of the parent/guardian signing the note, and parent/guardian signature. Please have the student bring the note to the front office no later than the morning of the early dismissal and he/she will be issued a pass for dismissal.

Arrive to School Late: 

Please call the absence line if your student will be arriving to school late. It is also very important that the student arrive with a note containing the student’s name, grade, date, time arriving, reason for tardiness, and parent/guardian signature. Students will be issued a pass admitting them to class when they check in with the front office.

Tardiness:

1. Tardiness occurs when a student arrives at school after the designated starting time; however, due to the various modes of transportation involved in moving students from home to school, three classifications of tardiness will exist.

a. Non-chargeable Tardiness - This occurs when the delay is caused by the lateness of a yellow school bus, whether it is operated by the school district or a commercial company and for other good reasons common to many students in the school on a given day. When non-chargeable tardiness occurs the students shall have the right to make up any work missed and no record of tardiness shall be made on the report card.

b. Chargeable Tardiness - These are recorded on the report card:

1) Excused - When lateness is caused by inclement weather or other good reasons, the student shall have the right to make up work missed.

2) Unexcused - This would normally occur when a student moves from home to school by walking, driving or riding with friend or family and is late for school. Students who are tardy may or may not be permitted to make up the work.

Principals make the final determination whether a student is excused or unexcused.

2. Tardiness will be defined as being up to two hours late. When lateness extends beyond two hours but less than three and one-half hours, it is classified as an absence of one-half day. Absence of more than three and one-half hours will be counted as a full-day absence.

We appreciate your support emphasizing the importance that your child is on time for school.

Absences: 

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:

1. Personal illness
   The Principal may require a doctor’s confirmation if s/he deems it advisable.

2. Appointment with a health care provider

3. Illness in the family necessitating the presence of the child
   The Principal may require a doctor’s confirmation and an explanation as to why the child’s absence was necessary.

4. Quarantine of the home
   This is limited to the length of the quarantine as fixed by the proper health officials.

5. Death in the family
   This is limited to a period of three (3) days unless a reasonable cause may be shown for a longer absence.

6. Necessary work at home due to absence or incapacity of parent(s)/guardian(s)
   Any absence arising because of this condition shall only apply to a child over fourteen (14) years of age and shall not extend for a period longer than five (5) days and can be renewed for five (5) additional days. At no time, shall such an excuse permit a student to be absent from school for a period of more than ten (10) consecutive days.
   At the discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee, a student may be excused for a longer period of time than ten (10) days if a child’s parent or guardian has recently died or become totally or partially incapacitated and there is no older brother or sister living in the home who is out of school. In such cases, the Superintendent or his/her designee may request a certificate of a physician attesting to the physical condition of the parent or guardian.

7. Observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday
   Any student shall be excused for the purpose of observing or celebrating a bona fide religious holiday consistent with his/her creed or belief.

8. Absence During the School Day for Professional Appointments
   Parents are to be encouraged to schedule medical, dental, legal, and other necessary appointments other than during the school day. Since this is not always possible, when a student is to be absent for part of the day:

1. the student shall have a statement to that effect from his/her parents; 

2. the student shall bring a signed statement from the doctor, dentist, lawyer, counselor, etc. to the effect that s/he reported promptly for the appointment; 

3. the student shall report back to school immediately after his/her appointment if school is still in session.

9. Emergency or Other Set of Circumstances
   The Superintendent shall determine whether the reason for the absence constitutes good and sufficient cause.

10. Medically necessary leave
    A pregnant student will be considered on an excused absence for so long a period as is deemed medically necessary by the student's physician. Written confirmation by the physician may be required.

11. Service as Precinct Officer at a Primary, Special or General Election
    Students selected as precinct officials through the program set forth in Policy 5725 shall be excused from school on the day of an election at which the student serves as a precinct official.

Absences that do not accumulate against this guideline include:

1. field trips; 

2. college visits.

Truancy 

Unexcused absence from school (truancy) is not acceptable.  Students who are truant will receive no credit for school work that is missed.  A student will be considered habitually truant if the student is absent without a legitimate excuse for thirty (30) or more consecutive hours, for forty-two (42) or more hours in 1 month, or for seventy-two (72) or more hours in 1 school year. 

If a student is habitually truant  and the student’s parent fails to call  in the student’s attendance, a complaint will be filed with the Judge of the Juvenile Court in compliance with State law and Board Policy 5200.