Types of Absences
ATTENDANCE – VALID CAUSES OF ABSENTEEISM
There are two types of absences: excused and unexcused.
Excused absences include:
- illness (including mental or behavioral health of the student)
- observance of a religious holiday or event
- death in the immediate family, family emergency
- situations beyond the control of the student
- circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the parent/guardian for the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or safety
- attending a military honors funeral to sound TAPS, or other reason as approved by the building principal
Any student who is physically or mentally unable to attend school (including a pregnant student suffering medical complications as certified by their physician)
LEAVING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
Once a student arrives on campus he/she may not leave without permission. If a student must leave the building during the school day for any reason (illness, family emergency, doctor’s appointment, etc.), HE/SHE MUST HAVE PARENT/GUARDIAN AUTHORIZATION AND SIGN OUT BEFORE LEAVING THE BUILDING via the Attendance Office. If the student is ill, he/she must first be assessed in the nurse’s office, even if the student has already communicated with the parent/guardian. Students attempting to leave school through the attendance office due to illness will be sent to the nurse’s office first. Failure to follow this procedure may result in an unauthorized absence and/or school consequence. If the student returns to school on the same day, HE/SHE MUST SIGN IN UPON RETURN TO THE BUILDING via the Attendance Office.
CATEGORIES OF ABSENCE/RESOURCES
A. Authorized
1. Excused – These include absences as listed above. Students may make up missed work by making arrangements with the individual teachers. The final decision for authorizing an absence rests with the administration.
To help maintain accurate excused absence records, we encourage students that have seen a doctor to submit a doctor’s note to the Attendance office. To help students meet the goal of regular attendance, A LIMIT OF 10 EXCUSED ABSENCES from class in one semester will be imposed. Any absences beyond 10 will require a doctor’s note signed by the doctor. If a doctor’s note is not provided, the absence will be counted as an unexcused absence.
2. Medical Excused – Any illness including a pregnant student suffering medical complications as certified by their physician will not be included in the 10 days excused absence limit. The final decision for authorizing an absence as medically excused rests with the administration.
3. Pre-arranged Absences – If a student knows in advance that he/she will be absent from school one or more days, parents should contact the Attendance Office prior to the date of the absence and the student will pick up a “pre-arranged absence form” in the Attendance office (VHHS) or LST (LHS) or obtain the form via the VHHS website. They must have it signed by their teachers and return it to the Attendance office before they leave. Examples include college visitations, religious holidays, family wedding, funeral, school related field trip, etc. Should a pre-arranged absence be taken, all work must be made up either the day of their return, prior to their departure, or at the discretion of the teacher. Please be aware that the taking of a pre-arranged absence will only be excused if the student has less than 10 excused absences for the semester.
B. Unauthorized
1. Unexcused absence – Absences that does not follow the circumstances to be valid causes for a student’s absence are considered unexcused absences. All absences over 10 for a given semester will be considered unexcused unless cleared by medical notes, court documents, family funeral, college visit, or other administration approved considerations. Students may be dropped from class due to chronic absences (*see 3. Chronic Absenteeism) following administrative review. Other absences after 10 may be excused by prior permission of the administration. If a student is unexcused, he/she is responsible for the daily work, but the grades will be determined by the teacher. An unexcused absence may result in LST action.
2. Truancy – A “truant” is defined as a child who is subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause. Parent conferences may be required to resolve truancy issues. Students may be dropped from class due to chronic truancies, following administrative review. If a student is truant, he/she is responsible for the daily work, but the grades will be determined by the teacher. A truancy may result in LST action.
3. Chronic Absenteeism – “Chronic absence” means absences that total 10% (18 days) or more of school days of the most recent academic school year, including absences with and without valid cause. Students may be dropped from class due to chronic absenteeism, following administrative review.
C. Tier System for School Absences
In an effort to prevent a student from having excessive absence during a semester, Libertyville High School and Vernon Hills High School have developed a Tier System to alert both parents and students of concerns of mounting absences. The only absences that will not be counted on the following Tier system are those that are cleared by a medical note, court documents, school sponsored field trips, death in the immediate family and college visits. All other absences, authorized or unauthorized will count towards the Tier System.
In accordance with Illinois Public Act 102-1577, Student Mental Health Day Absences, after the 2nd absence that is identified as a mental health day, students may be referred to appropriate school support personnel.
D. Resources Available for Attendance Problems
The following resources and supportive services are available to students with attendance problems and their parents or guardians:
•Conference with school personnel •Special Education assessment
•Learning support team alert •Referral to community agencies
•Review of academic program •Project PASS/Regional Office of Education
•6 day letter(VHHS), 8 day letter(LHS) 10 day letter •Student Assistance Program
•Administrative review •Counseling services: school counselors, social workers, and psychologists
Additionally, a student will be excused for up to 5 days in cases where the student’s parent/guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat-support postings. The Board of Education, in its discretion, may excuse a student for additional days relative to such leave or deployment.
