M.L. King Intermediate School

Attendance:

• Students are expected to be on time for school and class every scheduled day. Being late to school and class disrupts the learning of others as well as your own education.
• Students who are consistently absent from school may be considered for retention and/or referral to the district truancy officer (See Attendance Policy – Policy 5200M).

Attendance at School and School Functions:

• Students who are absent from school for any reason are not to be on school grounds without the direct supervision of their parent/guardian.
• Students who are absent from school may not participate in any after school or evening school activity on the day of the absence (e.g. clubs, PTO events, music programs, etc).
• Students are under school jurisdiction and subject to all guidelines of this handbook, while traveling to and from school and while attending or participating in any school-sponsored functions. (See Attendance Policy 5200M)

Attendance Policy (Policy 5200M)

In order for the Board of Education to fulfill its responsibility for providing a thorough and efficient education for each pupil, the complete cooperation of parents/guardians and student is required to maintain a high level of school attendance. Students are expected to attend school on all days that school is in session.

• Parents have a responsibility to ensure that their child is punctual and attends school daily.
• Parents are responsible for notifying the school early on the day when a child will be absent and for informing the school of the reason for the absence. Excused absences include: Disabling illness, recovery from accident, required court appearance, death in the family, religious observance, or others as listed in the Board policy.
• Parents can provide a note to the school notifying of short-term absences.
• The Board will report to the appropriate authorities any infractions of the law regarding the attendance of pupils below the age of 16.
• When a pupil shows signs of a developing pattern of absences, the administrator or designee will discuss the problem with the pupil’s parent/guardian.
• Students are monitored for attendance and the school sends notification of excessive unexcused absences home at designated intervals.
• The district truancy office becomes involved when a student demonstrates a pattern of excessive absences. Legal procedures will occur, which may include court appearance, charges against the parent/guardian, or retention of the student. Also, the student may be referred to I&RS and possible retention or referral may occur.