Absences, Tardy, Truancy

School Hours
7:15-7:25 – Student Arrival
7:25- Start of School Day
7:30- Any student arriving after 7:30 will be marked tardy
2:30- Dismissal

Regular attendance is essential to a student’s progress and success in school.

  • Parents have the responsibility to ensure regular and prompt attendance for their children.
  • Wisconsin State Law mandates attendance in school for all students.
  • It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school as soon as possible the morning of the day the student is absent, or shortly thereafter. Notification may be by phone (359-2110) or note.

If such notice is not received, it shall be assumed the student is truant and so shall it be recorded.

  • The school requires notification from parents or guardians:
  1. In cases of absences when the school has not been canceled (359-2110)
  2. In cases of tardiness. (359-2110)
  3. In requests for special dismissals. (359-2110)
  4. In requests for temporary release from special classes, lunch, recess, etc.
  5. In cases when children wish to temporarily ride a bus other that the bus to which they have been assigned.
  6. In cases when children wish to walk home instead of riding the bus.
  • If it becomes necessary for a student to leave school early for any reason, a parent/guardian must sign the student in or out of the office personally. Students will not be released to anyone whose name is not listed in Infinite Campus.  Please be aware that any early release prior to the end of the school day constitutes a recorded absence.
  • Parents and students should check with the teachers for make-up work.
  • If a child will be tardy and a parent wishes a hot lunch for the child, the parent must notify the school office by 7:45 a.m. and request that a hot lunch be ordered.  Note:  Since the school must call in a formal lunch count to the central kitchen by that time, if the school office is not contacted, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide a cold lunch.

 

 PROCEDURES FOR TARDINESS & TRUANCY/EXCUSED ABSENCE

Because we understand that there is a direct correlation between academics, social belonging, and attendance, we here at Whittier Elementary School want our students at school every day.  When students miss school, the instruction given on that day can not be duplicated with anything sent home.  Please review the notifications and steps that will be taken throughout the year.              

►After 5th Day Absent:  Letter will be sent home informing family that your child has been tardy/absent five days.

►After 7th Day Absent:  Letter will be sent home requiring meeting with Mrs. Curley (Principal), Ms. Kemp (School Counselor), and any other appropriate staff members.

►Students absent more than 10 days will require a doctor’s note stating that the student was seen by the doctor.  In most cases, students who have been absent more than 10 days will have a note on file from their doctor stating that the student has a chronic illness which may result in school attendance issues.  All absences with a doctor’s note will be marked as a medical absence and not an excused absence.  Any excused absence after 10 days will be marked as a truancy.

PREARRANGED ABSENCES

Absence from school seriously affects student progress, but under unusual circumstances, and upon written request from parents, the principal may approve the pre-arranged absences of students.  Forms for prearranged absences are available on the Whittier School website or in the school office and should be filled out a minimum of one week prior to the intended absence whenever possible.  Families should know that even if an absence is approved by the school, this absence is still documented in Infinite Campus.  Parents must understand that in most cases it is extremely unwise to remove students from class for extended periods of time.  The essentials of learning take place each day, and are embedded within the interactions between teachers and students, not necessarily always within daily written assignments.  Also keep in mind that teachers cannot be expected to get work together in a short notice.  All students so excused are expected to make up work missed during the absence.  Completed work is the responsibility of the student.