3050 Attendance Policy
Idaho law requires compulsory school attendance for children between the ages of seven (7) and sixteen (16) years of age. State law also requires each school district to establish attendance policies. Regular and consistent attendance is an indicator of success in school and is necessary for maximum student learning and success. The Sage International School Board of Directors policies have been established to achieve the following:
Education - Regular attendance helps to assure that students stay current in academic skills, personal management skills, and their ability to work in a team setting increasing the likelihood of academic success.
Success and Self-Esteem - Students must be present to experience success which leads to better self-esteem. The student's presence leads to the success of the entire classroom.
Life Skills - Prepare students for life and career by setting the expectation for punctuality and presence.
Safety - Increase parent/guardian involvement in student attendance and increase an awareness of where students are during school hours
It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) to assist school officials in enforcing the Sage International School attendance policies.
Administrators will make decisions in keeping with the overall intent of this policy. All absences from class shall be counted unless the student physically remains within an accountable school setting such as with a counselor, administrator or other school personnel.
A student is tardy if he or she is not in the assigned classroom at the start of the school day or period start time. Tardies may be waived by administration in extraordinary circumstances - i.e. late bus, inclement weather or other extenuating circumstances.
High School Attendance Standard (9-12)
Students are allowed three (3) absences per class period during the semester. Students who receive four (4) absences in any class will lose credit unless cleared by administration as a supportable absence. Verbal communication must come from a parent/guardian within 48 hours of the absence to prevent truancy.
Excessive tardiness may result in administrative discipline and loss of credit.
A high school student who is absent during any part of the day may not participate in evening school related functions that fall on that day. A student serving in or out-of-school suspension will not be allowed to participate in after school functions until their suspension is over.
Middle School Attendance Standard (6-8)
Students are allowed six (6) absences per class period during the semester. Students who receive seven (7) absences within a semester may be referred to administration and The Board of Directors. Verbal communication must come from a parent/guardian within 48 hours of the absence to prevent truancy.
Excessive tardiness may result in administrative discipline and referral to the board. A middle school student who is absent during any part of the day may not participate in evening school related functions that fall on that day. A student serving in or out-of-school suspension will not be allowed to participate in after school functions until their suspension is over.
Elementary Attendance Standard (K-5)
Students are allowed eight (8) daily* absences per semester. Students who receive nine (9) daily absences within a semester may be referred to administration and The Board of Directors. Inadequate and unacceptable academic progress due to absences may result in retention for the next school year. Verbal communication must come from a parent/guardian within 48 hours of the absence to prevent truancy.
Excessive tardiness may result in administrative discipline or retention.
*Daily is defined as follows:
- Half day kindergarten - will be marked absent if in attendance less than 2 hours
- Full day kindergarten to 5th grade - any student in attendance less than 4 hours
Attendance Follow-Up
The school will attempt to reach the parent/guardian of the absent student on the day of their absence.
The student's parent/guardian will be notified, in writing, when a student has reached the number of allowable absences for the semester as defined by the grade groups above. A second letter will be issued in the event credit loss or retention is being considered. At that time administration will meet with parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student.
Attendance Codes
Does not count against attendance standard:
- - Field Trip/Class Activity, S-FT, does not count against attendance standard; an absence for a school field trip or activity. Students with excessive tardies or absences may not be allowed to participate in field trips or other activities.
- - Bereavement, S-BR, does not count against attendance standard; up to five (5) days for a member of the immediate family, i.e. father, mother, brother, sister, grandparents.
- - Supportable, S-SP, does not count against attendance standard; Administrative discretion, i.e. unforeseen emergencies, court dates, educational travel, etc.Illness Waiver, S-IL, does not count against attendance standard; confirmed with documentation from licensed medical personnel.
Counts against attendance standard:
- - Illness, A-IL, counts against attendance standard; student is absent as verified by parent/guardian phone call or email.
- - Parent call, A-PC, counts against attendance standard; student is absent as verified by parent/guardian phone call.
- - Truant, A-TR, counts against attendance standard: student is absent without permission of parent/guardian or school officials. Persistent and/or habitual truancy may result in suspension or expulsion from school.
- - Unverified, A-UV, counts against attendance standard; no information regarding absence an unverified absence will convert to a truancy unless verbal communication is received from a parent/guardian within 48 hours.
- - Verified, A-VF, counts against attendance standard; phone call initiated by the school to confirm the absence and response was received by the parent.
Supportable Absences
Supportable absences require prior notification from a parent/guardian. The student will be expected to complete the assigned work within a time period agreeable to the teacher(s) of the missed class(es). The following guidelines are used to determine supportable absences:
- Activities or events organized for the purpose of continuing competition or as an extension of an approved school program as approved by administration (i.e. national or international competitions).
- Court appearance that is verified by official documentation.
- Professional appointments confirmed with documentation from professional personnel such as counselors, attorneys, etc.
- Extended educational trips with family or organizations while school is in session. The parent/guardian and student requesting this exception must meet the following to get approval for a supportable absence:
- - Submit a letter of request to administration at least two weeks prior to the trip;
- - Have passing grades in all classes;
- - Have no more than six (6) absence total for the year;
- - Request work from teachers and turn in all prearranged work on or before the first day back to class;
5. Religious observances verified by parent/guardian, church official, or document.
Excessive Absences
If a student is absent for fifteen (15) consecutive school days, whether or not the absences are verified, the student will be dis-enrolled from school. At the time the student returns to school, the student may be re-enrolled after the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student meet with administration. Students absent due to illness documented by licensed medical personnel will not be included in this procedure
Habitual Truancy
Excessive absences (see above section 'Excessive Absences ') for students between the ages of 7- 16 may result in the initiation of an Attendance Court hearing and/or filing, pursuant to Idaho Code 33-207, for a hearing regarding the student's habitual truancy status.
Attendance Appeal
In the event that a parent chooses to appeal the decision of administration, it must be made no less than ten (10) working days after the decision has been rendered. The Board of Directors will receive the appeal and respond at the next scheduled board meeting. The decision of The Board of Directors is final.
Legal Reference: I.C. §§ 33-206 Truancies
Policy History: Adopted 2/22/2016