Attendance

Students are expected to be at school each and every day unless they have an excused absence. If a student cannot attend school, a parent/guardian should call the school office at 437-7406 before 8:00 am. You may also leave a message on the attendance line at 437-7200 (Option 3). If no contact is made, a "safe call" will be made to verify the child is safe. Parents may send in a note in advance of planned absences. This note should include the following information:

• Date(s) of absence/tardy
• Reason(s) for absence/tardy
• Parent/guardian signature

***Following the return from a medical appointment, students should provide a note from the medical provider.

State law requires that all absences be recorded as excused or unexcused, and it permits up to 10 days of student absences.

Why School Attendance Matters

Research shows that students who miss 9 or fewer days of school in one academic year in Kindergarten and 1st grade are more likely to be reading on grade level by 3rd grade. Building the habit of good attendance early on is key to academic and social emotional success long-term. Said another way, by letting your child miss today, you give them permission to ditch later. Missing school in the early grades teaches them it's okay to miss school when they are older.

Here is a resource to help your family build healthy school attendance habits.

Absences

Excused absences may include, but are not restricted to: illness, family emergency, medical appointments, and family vacation. School Board Policy 431 and School Board Policy #431.1 further spells out the conditions of the school attendance policy.

Parents and guardians may excuse their child for up to 10 days per year without a medical excuse. These days may be taken in ½ day increments according to the Full Day Attendance Policy #431.1 and will be calculated as follows:

• Students who receive at least 90% of district-supervised educational services will have been considered in attendance a full day;
• Students who receive 33-89% of instruction will accrue 0.5 of attendance; and
• Students who receive less than 33% of instruction receive no attendance accrual for the day

Said another way: 

• Students reporting to school after 8:05 a.m. will be marked tardy. 
• Students arriving after 8:45 a.m. will be marked absent for a ½ day increment. 
• Students leaving school before 2:40 p.m. will be marked as absent for a ½ day increment. 
• Students leaving after 2:40 p.m. will be marked tardy. 
• Students gone for more than five hours of the day will be marked absent for the entire day.

Absences beyond a total of 10 days are considered unexcused. These absences may only be excused if a medical provider’s note is provided. Absences that are medically excused do not accrue toward the 10 allowable absent days. Families are encouraged to seek and provide a professional note in order for an absence to be marked as medically excused.

Unexcused absences occur when a parent does not contact school to report the absence or a student exceeds their 10 allowable absent days without a medical excuse.  

Family Vacations

Please keep in mind that much of the work completed during the school day will not be able to be duplicated. It is recommended that families take trips that match the vacation schedule within the school calendar. Students are expected to bring a note from their parents/guardians a minimum of one week before a family vacation. It is the student and parents’ responsibility to see his/her teacher to inquire in advance about missed schoolwork.

Excessive Absences

It is widely recognized that any pattern of excessive absences (excused, unexcused or a combination) has an adverse effect on the learning process. The Mount Horeb Area School District believes early intervention is most successful in making a positive difference in a child’s school experience. Because of this philosophy, all schools in our district make formal responses to situations involving excessive or unexcused absences. If problems are suspected, a parent meeting will be held to discuss reasons for the absences and to determine an action plan designed to improve school attendance and the child’s educational program. 

Truancy

Truant and habitual truant are two classifications used by the Intermediate Center when Wisconsin State Law (S.118.16) maximum days of excusable absences are passed. Absences that are not called in and/or not excused for any of the above reasons are considered unexcused. The Intermediate Center is obligated to refer truant and habitual truant students to local, county and state agencies.