Regular attendance by students is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program.  Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence.  Students will attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.

Student absences approved by the principal are excused absences.  All schools will accept parentally excused absences for up to five (5) days during a semester. Excused absences will count as days in attendance for purposes of the truancy law.  These absences include, but are not limited to, personal illness, medical or legal appointments, attendance at a funeral, religious observations or instruction,  family emergencies, appointments that cannot be scheduled outside the school day, and school-sponsored or approved activities.

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 school.  In these circumstances, the district may provide parents and students the option to attend school through remote learning opportunities within the available resources of the district and as permitted by law.  The superintendent or designee will also have discretion to make reasonable accommodations for students, on a case-by-case basis. 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.

Students whose absences are approved shall be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the appropriate teacher. An exception is that in participation-type classes, a student’s grade may be affected because of the student’s inability to make up the activities conducted during a class period. A student shall be allowed one make-up day for each day of absence. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a procedure with the student's teacher to complete the work missed.

If a student is confined to home or hospital for an extended period, the school shall arrange for the accomplishment of assignments at the place of confinement whenever practical. If the student is unable to do his/her schoolwork, or if there are major requirements of a particular course which cannot be accomplished outside of class, the student may be required to take an incomplete or withdraw from the class without penalty.

Students participating in school activities must be present for each class of the school day, unless permission has been given by the principal for the student to be absent. Students participating in school-sponsored activities (e.g., field trips, athletic events, school arranged college visits, job shadowing, activity events) will not be recorded as an absence on the student’s attendance record.

It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the student’s attendance center as soon as the parent knows the student will not be attending school on that day. The principal may request evidence or written verification of the student’s reason for absence.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:  34 C.F.R. sec. 300
                                         28 C.F.R. Pt. 35
                                         Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299.
                                         281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).

Cross Reference:  501      Student Attendance
                                         503      Student Discipline
                                         504      Student Activities
                                         506      Student Records

Approved September 28, 2022             
Reviewed September 12, 2022                          
Revised September 26, 2022