Attendance and Reporting Absences

School code states that valid causes for absences include:

• Illness/medical appointment
• Observation of a religious holiday
• Death in the immediate family
• Family emergency
• Attendance at a civic event
• Required court appearances, with documentation
• Emergencies approved by the building administration
• Other circumstances that cause reasonable concern for the student's mental, emotional, or physical health or safety
• Other reasons approved by the superintendent or designee

After a student reaches 9 absences, subsequent absences will be considered unexcused without proper documentation.
 

Parents are required to provide documentation of the date and time of the appointment and these will be reflected as excused absences.  

Students are allowed up to 5 mental health days a year, per Illinois law.  However, the law also states that districts are responsible for following up after 2 mental health days are taken.  District 47 understands the importance of mental wellness and its impact on student achievement.  Mental health days will count towards excused absences but parents should anticipate follow up from a  school based clinician after 2 mental health days are used so that we can work together to ensure all students have the support they need to attend school.

We discourage extended absences from the classroom if possible.  We respectfully ask that families take trips during one of the many school breaks so that students don’t miss valuable instructional time.  If you are  taking your child out for a family vacation, parents will need to use their allowable parent excused days.  

This will count toward your parent excused absences unless you provide proper documentation.  

We discourage extended absences from the classroom if possible. If taking your child out for a non-school affiliated competition or activity during the school day, you will need to use your excused days. If you have reached your maximum of excused days, these days will be marked as unexcused.  

Yes, if you are excusing a tardy it will count towards excused absences. 

Students will be allowed to make up work upon their return.  Work may be provided in advance when the parent provides 5 days notice to ensure the teacher(s) have adequate time to collect the necessary materials and information to provide the work in advance.