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West High School Attendance Philosophy
West High School is committed to the idea that students need to attend all classes each school day in order to make the most of our excellent educational program. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential if students are to participate fully. According to Illinois law, parents or guardians are responsible for causing their child to attend school and for notifying school authorities when their child will be absent from school. (Ill. Rev. Stat. Ch. 122, 1992) Only the school has the authority to determine whether an absence is “excused” or “unexcused.”
Excused Absences
According to Section 26-2(a) of the School Code (Ill. Rev., Ch 122, 1992), an absence from school can only be excused when the cause has been recognized and stated by the school as a “valid cause.” The following are valid causes for student absences:
- Personal illness and doctor’s appointments. (Whenever a student misses 10 or more consecutive days due to illness, a homebound placement request is recommended. See guidance information on homebound.)
- Death in the immediate family.
- Failure of school district transportation.
- Prearranged absences (see Prearranged Absence Procedures).
- Religious classes or major holidays.
- College visits (maximum of 2 days).
- Family vacations up to a maximum of 5 days may be excused. Parents and students should be aware that absences due to vacations are discouraged in that they affect student learning. Family vacations will not be excused during the first or last 5 days of a semester.
- Court appearances.
- Family emergencies.
Absence Reporting Procedures
Parents must call to report student absences for full day, partial day and/or appointments. Calls are taken by the attendance secretary and by a 24 hour day answering machine at (630) 301-5560. (Please have student ID number)
Full or Partial Day Absence Procedure - All student absences must be reported by parent or legal guardian to Student Services by phone on day of the absence or prior to the absence. If no communication has been made, the student must report to Student Services the day following the absence with an excused written note from parent/guardian before the first bell in the morning or after school. Students will be considered truant unless the absence is cleared through the office within 24 hours of the absence regardless of the circumstances.
Appointment Procedure - Students must obtain an admit from Student Services before school on the day of the appointment in order to leave class at the appropriate time. Upon returning from the appointment, the student must check in with the office for a pass to class. If they will be arriving late to school the student must come to Student Services with a note or previous call to receive an admit to class. Should the appointment be scheduled after the student arrives at school, you must call the attendance secretary to arrange for the student to be ready to go.
| Attendance secretary phone numbers: |
| A – E |
630 301-5554 |
| F – K |
630 301-5552 |
| L – Q |
630 301-5612 |
| R – Z/ELL |
630 301-5556 |
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| Diversified and Freshman Academy |
630 301-5558 |
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Appointment Procedures
Parent must call Student Services regarding any appointment with the time and date. Please call 301-5561.
On the day of the appointment, the student must come to Student Services before school to obtain an admit which will allow them to leave class at the appropriate time. Upon returning from that appointment, the student must again check in with Student Services. If they will be arriving late to school because of the appointment, the student must come to Student Services with a note or previous call to receive an admit to go to class.
If an appointment is decided after the student arrives at school, you must call Student Services so that we can arrange for the student to be ready for the appointment time. This will also cause less disruptions to the educational environment.
Prearranged Absence Procedures
In order to be excused for prearranged absences, students must follow the procedures listed below:
At least 3 days prior to the absence, a parent or guardian must make a request to Student Services. This request should state the reason and dates of the absences.
A Prearranged Absence Form is issued by Student Services.
Court appearances or medical appointments may require a signature from an official. This will be determined by Student Services.
Unexcused Absences
Absences from school are classified as excused or unexcused. If a student is absent without valid cause as determined by West High School, the absence will be unexcused. The student will be considered truant. There is no distinction between unexcused absence and truancy in the Illinois School Code.
West High School and School District 129 recognize truancy as an incident of gross disobedience and misconduct. As a result, consequences will be given to the students for truancy violations. Consequences issued range from detentions to Out of School Suspension (OSS), Alternative School Assignment (ASA) or an In School Suspension (ISS) option may be assigned in lieu of OSS when appropriate.
Students leaving the campus must obtain a permit to leave from either Student Services or the Nurse’s Office. A student leaving without obtaining a permit will be considered truant and issued appropriate consequences.
Medical Letter
Any student, whose absences exceed 5 consecutive days or an accumulation of a total of ten (10) days during a school year, may be required to provide a doctor’s statement regarding future absences verifying the student’s inability to be in attendance. Failure to do so could result in future absences being unexcused.
Chronic Truancy
A student accumulating 10 days of unexcused absences in a quarter or 12 days of unexcused absences in a semester will be classified as having a “severe attendance problem.” At that time, a school conference may be scheduled. The purpose of the conference will be to discuss the student’s truancy problem, and the academic implications, as well as possible solutions or alternatives which will improve attendance. In the case of a student under the age of 16, Student Services will advise the student and parents or guardians that any further truancy will result in immediate notice to the Kane County truancy officials. In cases of students 17 years of age or older, an attendance contract may be issued. Further truancy will lead to a withdrawal from school. It should be noted that final responsibility for a student’s attendance rests with the student’s parents or guardians. The school can only offer resources for assistance. Please refer to the previous section for information on the academic consequences of excessive absences.
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