Recent changes in the law have eliminated excused absences, which mean that every time a child is not in school, regardless of the reason, the district loses funding. Regular attendance is important and required by law. Effective learning requires a planned sequence of instruction and frequent or daily reinforcement. Please avoid vacations and absences at times other than school holidays. If such absences are unavoidable, contact the teacher well in advance so that homework or independent study can be assigned during the absence. (Independent study contracts can be written only for absences of at least five consecutive days, per state law.) Please report any absence due to a communicable or infectious disease to the school office promptly.

Steps to Follow If Absent

1. A parent or guardian should contact the school and inform the office of the student’s absence before 10:00 AM of the day of absence or on the date of return a written note with the student’s name, date, days of absence, and the reason for the absence. The note must include an adult’s signature.
2. Student should present the note to the classroom teacher.
3. The student should ask the teacher for make-up assignments. Assignments not made up may be reflected in the student’s grades.

An excused absence per state ed code is for illness, doctor/dentist/orthodontist appointment or a family funeral. If there is no phone call or note returned, the student will be marked truant.

Permission to Leave School

If your child needs to leave school during the day for an appointment or other reason, a written request should be given to the teacher and a responsible adult must sign out the student in the office. Students will only be released to people authorized on the emergency card or those named in the written note.

• Students are expected to dress neatly and appropriately for all school activities.
• As outlined in District Policy 5470 (appendix F), students are not allowed to wear anything that advertises alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is inappropriate to an elementary school setting.
• Make-up, short shorts, halters, backless and tube tops are NOT allowed. Spaghetti straps or mesh shirts may be worn only with a T-shirt underneath.
• Pants may NOT be worn very low off the hips. “Sagging” is not allowed.
• Shirts must cover the waistline: no skin showing. Undergarments must not be visible. Closed-toed shoes with low heels must be worn at all times.
• Sandals and flip-flops are not safe for elementary school activities. Hats may be worn outside only or in the cafeteria at lunchtime.

• Come to school every day ready to learn.
• Be on time.
• Pay attention and listen to your teacher.
• Raise your hand.
• Use your time wisely by working during instruction time.
• Ask questions when you do not understand.
• Work cooperatively in groups.
• Listen to your classmates during discussion time.
• Do your homework each night.
• It’s OK to make mistakes.
• Correct mistakes and learn from your mistakes.
• Read every day.
• Keep trying and don’t give up.
• Do your best.