Attendance

It is important to understand the consequences that occur and processes we will follow when students are absent from school. Our goal is, as always, is to ensure that your child has the best opportunity to thrive.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

Supporting equity as a core competency through practices, structures, beliefs, and resources to ensure success for students, families, and staff.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

When your student has unexcused absences from ANY SINGLE CLASS PERIOD families will receive an automated phone call and students may receive a school-based consequence. 

5 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: Administrative Intervention

• Student meets with school staff to address issues.

• Parents/guardians are notified and offered resources to help.
   

7 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: Collaborative Development

• Student and parent/guardian meet with school staff to discuss ways to prevent additional absences.

• Consequences may include detention, in-school suspension, and/or loss of privileges.

• Referral is made to the Dakota County Truancy Reduction Program, as required by state law.
   

10 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: Final Measures

• Students may receive a "No Credit" (NC) or an "F" depending on performance in the class. Opportunities are available to restore credit. 

• Absences due to illness are excused for up to ten days. A doctor’s note is required AFTER 10 absences due to illness.Credit Recovery Options:
   

Credit Recovery Options:
Attendance appeals will be reviewed by an attendance appeal committee which will include a Counselor, Grade Level Administrator, Nurse, and Case Manager (if applicable).

 1. Approval of an Attendance Appeal
Attendance appeals will be reviewed by an attendance appeal committee which will include a Counselor, Grade Level Administrator, Nurse, and Case Manager (if applicable).
 
2. Successful completion of an Attendance Improvement Contract
Students must be present for 85% of class periods the following trimester (this would be fewer than nine absences from each class in the twelve-week term).
If neither of the above is approved/met, the following options may be available; students must work with their counselor to plan for and register for either option. 
 
3. CORE (required) classes – successful completion of Credit Recovery for the required course
Credits may be recovered in either Eagan Academy (after school) or Summer School; the original NC will remain on the student’s transcript, but the recovered credit will also be listed (with a grade of P for pass) and count toward graduation requirements.
 
4. ELECTIVE (non-required) classes – registration and successful completion of another course in the subsequent year
The original NC will remain on the student’s transcript, but the recovered credit will also be listed (with the letter grade earned). 

TYPES OF ABSENCES

• Unexcused: An unexcused absence occurs when a student is absent without school approval. 
  * If an absence is not reported, it will be deemed “unexcused” after 48 hours. 

• Excused: Illness, medical/dental appointments during school hours, and pre-planned absences. 
  * Absences due to illness are excused for up to 10 days. A doctor’s note is required after 10 absences due to illness.

• Exempt: School-authorized absences detailed in District 196 Attendance Policy.

Excessive Absence Rule - Notification/Intervention Process - 503.2AR High School Attendance

3.1 Absences which are NOT counted in the excessive absence rule include, but are not limited to: 3.1.1 School-sponsored curricular and cocurricular activities; 3.1.2   Official religious holidays and religious observances or American Indian cultural practice observance or ceremony; 3.1.3   Death of an immediate family member (parent, step-parent, guardian, sibling, grandparent); 3.1.4   Unique or emergency circumstances which are authorized (or, whenever possible, pre-authorized) by a school principal; 3.1.5   Chronic or long-term illnesses which are verified by a doctor’s signed statement and authorized by a school principal; 3.1.6   Authorized appointments with school personnel; 3.1.7  Military deployment of a family member, and 3.1.8  In-school suspension, out-of-school suspension and transitional study hall (removal from class for one or more class periods).
 
3.2  Absences that are counted in the excessive absence rule include but are not limited to: 3.2.1   Verified – Absences that are verified by the parent/guardian with reasons accepted by the school. Accepted reasons are: 3.2.1.1  Illness; 3.2.1.2  Medical or dental appointments that cannot be made outside of school time, and 3.2.1.3  Pre-authorized, pre-planned absences of one day or more. This must be arranged prior (preferably at least one week) to the absence to be verified.
 
3.2.2   Unexcused – Unexcused absences will be treated with responses in accordance with the behavior expectations and consequences for behavior outlined in district policy and administrative regulation. Unexcused absences occur when a student chooses to be absent from school without school approval. Responses that may include, but are not limited to, detention and in-school or out-of-school suspension will be assigned to students with unexcused absences. Students with unexcused absences from one or more class periods on seven school days per year may be identified as truant and subject to Administrative Regulation 503.2.1AR, Truancy, in compliance with state law on compulsory instruction.

Our district and school districts across the country are looking at the relationship between chronic absenteeism and student academic success.  We know that attendance and engagement in school are important factors in a student's learning and social/emotional development.  Students who are absent from school miss out on the valuable learning activities that take place in the classroom, both with the teacher and with peers.  Even strong students with good grades can fall off course in middle and high school if they miss too many classes; lessons build on one another and move more quickly in the upper grades.  While students may be able to make up assignments from days they were gone, they cannot make up for missed instruction, discussion, and peer and classroom experiences when they are absent from class.  While they may complete some or even all of the work missed, the learning experience is significantly altered.
We understand there may be circumstances that prevent a student from attending, however, we expect those absences to be limited.  We care greatly about the health and well-being of our students.  We want to partner with students and families when challenges exist and work together to support your students in any way we can.  We always strive to reduce absences, keep students in the classroom, and maximize learning. 
Please contact us if there are extenuating circumstances of which we are unaware and/or if you need support or resources in getting your student to school consistently.

Students that will be absent 3 or more days for a pre-planned absence should complete the “Pre-Planned Authorization” form.  
The forms are located in the EHS Attendance Office.

1. The form should be completed and submitted prior to the planned absence. We recommend at least one week or more in advance. 
2. The student is responsible for arranging make-up assignments with all teachers prior to the absence in order to receive credit for the work. 
3. Our attendance policy counts these preplanned absences in the excessive absence policy.
4. Vacation absences beyond 5 days will be marked as unexcused.