Student Attendance (see board policy)
State law requires school attendance of a child age six to eighteen unless he/she is excused, has graduated or is enrolled in an alternative education program. The law further requires that any person having the control of such a child shall require him/her to attend school regularly during the full period and hours that school is in session.
Moreover, unless the pupil has received an approved program modification pursuant to section 118.51(1)(d), or is otherwise excused, a pupil enrolled in 5-year old kindergarten must attend school regularly, religious holidays excepted, during the full period and hours that kindergarten is in session until the end of the school term.
All students are required to attend all classes each day that school is in session unless an excuse is given in writing, or by phone, by the parent or guardian. (A student not in his/her assigned place at the time required shall be considered tardy.) Doctor’s excuses for illness may be required if the number of days absent due to illness become excessive. School authorities shall determine whether excuses are acceptable or unacceptable.
Truancy means any absence or part or all of one or more days from school during which the principal or teacher has not been notified of the legal cause of such absence by the parent/guardian of the absent student also means intermittent attendance carried on for the purpose of defeating the state’s compulsory school attendance law. Truancy notices shall be sent to the student’s parent/guardian in accordance with the state law requirements.
If a child is absent without an acceptable excuse for part or all of five or more days on which school is held in a semester, he/she shall be determined to be habitually truant. Then the school shall take such steps to end the truancy as are necessary according to law and the district’s truancy plan. Students who attend music, art, and/or acting activities outside the State of Wisconsin and in excess of ten days per year should withdraw from school.