Attendance

District Contacts

Reggie Wicker, Director of Elementary Education

Jackie Good

 

What is a lawful absence?

Illness:
A student who is ill and poses a health threat to others may be excused on a temporary basis. Any student who suffers from a chronic and prolonged illness should provide a statement from a physician upon return to school.

Religion:
A student may be excused to observe a recognized religious holiday, with prior approval of the principal.

School Activity:
A student may be excused for up to five days per year in order to participate in school sponsored activities (sports, band, field trips, etc.). Any absence beyond the fifth day will first require a report from each teacher on the student’s academic standing, classroom attitude and attendance. The principal must also review and approve the  absence in advance.

Family Emergency:
A student may be excused, temporarily, in the event of a serious health concern or a death in the family.

Appointments:
A student may be excused for necessary appointments when proper documentation is provided upon return to school.  Examples: dentist, physician, court, counselor.

                   

                        What is considered an unlawful absence?

Truancy:
When a student accumulates absences without acceptable cause with/or  without knowledge of his or her parents or guardian.

What happens if my child misses more days than allowed?

Review Process
Before an absence can be approved or disapproved, a student must first provide proper documentation within five days of the absence or return to school. The district will accept only five excuse notes from parents.

Truant:
A student (ages 6-17)  who miss three consecutive days without a valid excuse or a total of five unlawful absences is considered truant.

Response:
By law, an “Intervention Plan” must then be developed with the parents. This plan states the reasons for the unlawful absences;  actions that must be taken by student and parents to resolve the issue and actions that can be taken by school officials if unlawful absences continue.  

*Intervention Plan included

Habitual Truant:
Court intervention may be used if a student age 12-17 does not comply with the Intervention Plan and records two or more additional unlawful absences.

Chronic Truant:
 Any student age 12-17 who is ordered by the court to attend school and continues to accumulate unlawful absences may be referred back to court for Contempt.

Action:
The parent of a student under the age of 12 who is determined to be Truant may face court intervention and a referral to the Department of Social Services.

UCSD INTERVENTION PLAN

After a student misses 3 days in a row or 5 days cumulative, school officials will contact the parent/guardian to attend a conference with school staff in developing an Attendance Intervention Plan.  If student absences continue after an intervention plan has been developed, Union County School District will complete a petition, and the parent/guardian and student will be summoned to appear before a judge in Family Court.

If the student does not attend school after a Family Court hearing and does not follow the court order, Union County School District is required to file a contempt of court complaint against the parent/guardian or child with the Solicitor's Office.