Posted: 6/29/04
School toughens up on attendance policy
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Caledonia school students and parents will discover a stricter attendance policy when school starts this fall.
The school board changed the policy at its June 21 meeting when it voted to put it in the 2004-05 handbook.
Normally a policy change requires three readings, but because of publishing deadlines for the handbook, the board voted immediately to put it in the forthcoming handbook.
The new policy still allows for four absences per quarter, but the absences are no longer solely at the parentís discretion.
ěParental consent alone is NOT sufficient for an absence to be excused,î the new policy states. ěThe school must deem the reason acceptable in order to excuse the reason.î
It gives these examples of what would be excusable: student illness, necessary medical attention, illness or death in the family, emergency in which studentís services are required, trips when the student and parent have made arrangements in advance, religious observances, and legal appearances.
Examples under unexcused absences and left to administrative discretion are: helping at home, inadequate or inappropriate clothing, vehicle wonít start, overslept, work, shopping, too tired, child not immunized, cold weather, truancy, missed the bus, senior pictures, prom hair or tanning, tux pick-up/return, concerts, and alarm didnít go off.
The principal will make the decision.
Parents have to call the school by 8 a.m. the day of the absence or the student will be marked unexcused.
Vacation policy changed
The family vacation/activity portion of the attendance policy also changed. It had stated that once a year, a fifth day of absence per quarter would be allowed for a family vacation. That would give a family a potential nine-day vacation, figuring in two weekends and five weekdays.
The new policy lifts the nine-day limit. But all work must be made up, and students must keep a journal of daily activities while on vacation. ěThey must also explain in the daily journal how this trip is educational,î the policy states.
The new policy also gives the principal authority to pre-approve vacations. In the past that was done by an attendance committee after the fact.
Barb Hurley wondered if the change allowed too much of a time frame for vacations.
Board member Naomi Fruechte replied that students have to make up the work that they missed, and they have to keep a journal.
Middle school principal Brian Doty said on June 22 that the changes came about after meetings with an attendance committee, with county officials, and with principals from neighboring schools. Issues such as truancy and the No Child Left Behind law were factors, as well as the fact that the old policy was not in compliance with state law, Doty said.
Caledonia Argus
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