Attendance

Have You Read Lakota's Attendance Policy?

Why is regular attendance important?
The District’s educational program is built on student presence, classroom participation, and continuous instruction. When students attend regularly, they are more likely to succeed academically and socially.

When is my child required to attend school?
All students must attend school during scheduled school days and hours, or during their assigned attendance sessions. Students in grades 9–12 must be enrolled in at least five units of instruction per year to be considered full-time.

What reasons for absence are excused?
The Board recognizes the following as valid reasons for missing school:

• Personal illness (doctor’s note may be required)
• Appointment with a health care provider
• Illness in the family requiring the student’s presence
  Quarantine of the home
• Death in the family
• Necessary work at home due to parent/guardian illness or incapacity
• Approved religious expression days (up to 3 per year, with prior written request)
• Approved out-of-state travel (up to 24 hours per year for District-approved activities)
• Medically necessary leave for pregnant students
• Service as a precinct election officer
• College visits (with written verification)
• Foster care or court-related absences
• Homelessness
• Other “good cause” approved by the Superintendent.

How do I report my child’s absence?
Parents/guardians must notify the school within 120 minutes (2 hours) of the school day starting. If the school has not been contacted, staff will attempt to reach the parent/guardian that same morning.

How many absences are allowed without a doctor’s note?

Students may have up to 10 medically excused absences per year with only a parent/guardian phone call. Beyond 10 days, a doctor’s note is required unless absences are related to a recognized pandemic/epidemic.

What counts as a “medical excuse” that does NOT count toward excessive absences?

The following absences will not count toward excessive absence totals if verified:

• Personal illness
• Illness in the family
• Quarantine of the home
• Health care appointments
• Death in the family
• Other Superintendent-approved circumstances

What are Religious Expression Days?
Up to 3 days per school year may be approved. Parents must submit a written request within 14 days of the start of school (or within 14 days of enrollment). Approved absences will not result in penalties. Students will receive reasonable academic accommodations.

What does “excessively absent” mean?
A student is considered excessively absent if they have:

• 38+ hours in one month (without medical excuse) OR
• 65+ hours in one school year (without medical excuse)

Parents will receive written notification if their child reaches this threshold.

What does “habitually truant” mean?
A student is habitually truant if absent without excuse for:

• 30+ consecutive hours, OR
• 42+ hours in one month, OR
• 72+ hours in one year

When this happens, the school must create an Absence Intervention Team to develop a plan to improve attendance. Continued truancy may result in a complaint filed in juvenile court.

What is an Absence Intervention Team (AIT)?
The team includes school staff and the parent/guardian, and sometimes other support professionals. Within 14 days of assignment, the team will create an attendance plan tailored to the student’s needs.

What happens if my child does not follow the intervention plan?
If a student does not participate in or make progress on the attendance plan within 61 days, the school may file a complaint with juvenile court.

Can my child participate in extracurriculars if absent?
Yes, in some cases. For example, students absent for approved religious expression days may still participate in extracurricular activities that same day.

Who do I contact with questions?
Each school office can assist with attendance-related questions. For policy concerns or grievances, parents may submit a written request to the Superintendent.