Excused Absences

Please contact us when your student is absent.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian of the absent student to call the office by 3:00 p.m. on the day of an absence or send a note with the student on his/her return to school. State law and District policy requires parent verification for all absences. This verification must include a reason for the absence. In accordance with District policy, the only valid reasons to miss school are illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, health condition, religious functions, disciplinary actions or court appearances. The school will generally excuse a parent request that has been prearranged provided it does not have a negative impact on the student’s learning. Students who are excused have the right to make up work missed under reasonable conditions. Teachers may choose to provide alternate assignments and set reasonable time limits.

Unexcused Absences (Truancy)

It is very important that students attend school regularly and arrive to their classes on time. In accordance with District policy, a student will receive an unexcused absence and be considered truant if:

1. He/she is 30 or more minutes late to school or 5 or more minutes late to any class during the school day, and
2. The reason for the absence is other than those listed for an excused absence. Unexcused students forfeit the right to make up work.

If your student is absent and a parent does not contact the office, the school will follow state guidelines as mandated in the BECCA Bill and try to contact the parent by telephone as soon as possible. The school will inform the parent by phone after one unexcused absence in a month and in writing after two unexcused absences in a month. Upon the third unexcused absence during any month or the tenth unexcused absence during the current school year, the school may file a Truancy Petition, which refers the student to the juvenile court system.

Tardies

A student will be considered tardy if they are not in their class doing what is expected when the bell rings. Each teacher may determine what constitutes a tardy once students enter their class. Students who exhibit a repetitive pattern of tardies may be suspended from school.

Why must I take the time to provide a parent excuse for my student?

We really need your help! By law, the office is required to accurately record all student attendance information. Accurate attendance information enables the school to make informed decisions for all of our students. The better the information, the better the decisions made in an effort to support and encourage each student’s participation and success at Orchard Middle School.

What kind of information should I include in a parent excuse?

Important information in a parent excuse should include:

1. The student’s name
2. The date the excuse was written
3. Date(s) of the absence
4. The reason for the absence(s)

If I have any questions regarding my child’s absences, what can I do?

Call the school office and ask for the attendance secretary. If you have any further questions, please ask to be referred to the assistant principal or principal for further assistance.

Isn’t any parent excuse good enough for my child to receive an excused absence?

Only those excuses that are in accordance with state law and school District policy are considered excused absences, i.e.:

• Illness
• Family Emergencies
• Religious Functions
• Required Court Appearances
• Medical Appointments
• Health Condition
• Disciplinary Action