Attendance

The habit of regular and faithful attendance is prerequisite to successful school life. Students should be absent only in cases of illness or emergency. The Board of Education directs the school administration and staff to enforce, on a
consistent basis, all school regulations relative to school attendance. These regulations shall require that all absences shall be verified by phone, by the student’s parent or legal guardian. When a student is ill and unable to attend school, parents are asked to call the school office that morning (847.498.4970) by 8:30 a.m. to report the absence. Students absent for three or more consecutive days due to illness will be required to submit a written statement from a physician which includes the diagnoses for the extended absence. If the office staff cannot personally answer the phone call, please leave a message including your child’s name, morning teacher and the reason for the absence. Parents who do not notify the school when their children are absent will receive a phone call from the office staff. This telephone message policy has been implemented in order to ensure the safety and security of your children.

Board of Education policy requires all students to be in full attendance for the entire school day. State attendance reporting regulations require a student must be in attendance 2.5 hours in both the a.m. and p.m. or be reported absent for the respective half day. Students arriving late, but within the 2.5 hour limit shall be considered tardy.

For example:

1. Student arrives at 9:45 a.m. - attending less than 2.5 hours in the a.m. between 8:45 a.m. and 12:05 pm – will be considered ABSENT HALF DAY a.m.
2. Student arrives at 9:00 a.m. – attending more than 2.5 hours in the a.m. between 8:45 a.m. and 12:05 pm – will be considered TARDY.
3. Student leaves at 2:00 p.m. – attending less than 2.5 hours between 12:05 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. – will be considered ABSENT HALF DAY p.m.
4. Student is present until 3:05 p.m. – attending more than 2.5 hours in the a.m. and p.m. – will be considered an EARLY DISMISSAL with written parent authorization.

This policy is in compliance with the ISBE attendance regulations and is strictly enforced. Students with chronic absences will receive a truancy letter from the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Pupil Services. Please make every attempt to get your child to school as often as possible.

The reasons for an excused absence shall include illness of a student or family emergencies such as a death in the family or a religious holiday. All other absences are unexcused even if the school office or teacher has been notified. If a student misses school more than 3 days due to illness, he/she will need a physician’s note upon return.

Physical Education and recess are considered part of the regular school day. If your child has been ill and returned to school he/she may be excused no more than two consecutive days from PE and/or recess by a written parent request. If an absence for more than three consecutive days is necessary, a note from a physician stating the reason is required.

If a child has been ill or disabled in any manner, a physician must verify any physical education limits upon that child’s return to school. If a physician feels that the child is able to participate in a physical education setting with limitations, those limitations must be clearly identified in the physician’s note. Once those restrictions have been lifted, a note from the physician is required in order for the student to resume normal physical education activities.

There are two major reasons for our emphasis on punctuality; concern over work missed and elimination of irresponsible and discourteous behavior to other learners. A tardy student misses critical instruction and disrupts the instruction of others. If tardiness becomes chronic, the missed work may impair the student’s academic success.

Students who are late to school are to report to the office for a tardy slip before going to class. Excessive tardiness will result in a letter from the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Pupil Services. Parents may also be asked to attend a meeting in order to come up with ways to get their child to school on time.

An excused tardy may be given for any written verification for medical purposes or family emergencies. Excused tardies will also be given for late buses. Unexcused tardies are defined as all other reasons.