FRONT COVER - Norwin School District

Unlawful Absence from School
When a student has accumulated three days of unlawful absence, the student will be referred to the
Attendance Office and/or Principal. The school district will then serve notice upon the parent/guardian(s)
in accordance with the Compulsory School Attendance Laws. After this notice is served, the next
unlawful absence by a pupil becomes a second offense, and truancy charges will be appropriately filed
through the local magistrate.
Early Dismissal
Due to the difficulty in arranging appointments with various health care services, students may find it
necessary to leave school for a portion of the school day to keep such appointments.
If a student is released from school prior to 10:30 a.m. and does not return to school the student will
receive a ½ day absence, and an Excuse for Early Dismissal along with appropriate verified
documentation must be provided to the Attendance Table upon return to school. If a student is released
after 10:30 a.m. it will be recorded as an early dismissal. The student must provide an Excuse for Early
Dismissal along with appropriate verified documentation to the Attendance Table upon return to
school. This is in effect for both early dismissals and early releases through the nurse’s office. If proper
documentation is not provided, the student will be subject to disciplinary action and the right to make up
work will be forfeited.
The following reasons for Early Dismissals will be recorded as verified and will not count against the
student for disciplinary purposes if the following documentation is provided:
family bereavement
family educational trip as approved by the building principal (see Family Educational
Trips Section)
family emergencies as determined by individual cases
legal or judicial proceedings (pupil involved)
job interview (school pre-approval)
medical appointment
military physicals
school or church-related conferences
visits to institutions of higher education, which includes placement testing (preapproval
necessary through completed guidance form)
religious observances
Pupils who become ill during the school day must report to the Nurse's Office. Such pupils may not leave
the building unless excused by the Nurse or Principal. These pupils must complete the Early Dismissal
Request Form and adhere to the procedures outlined above, or have the nurse notify the Attendance
Office of the circumstances when the pupil leaves. Ill students who request an Early Dismissal by
contacting their parent/guardian without going through the Nurse or Principal will have their Early
Dismissal recorded as unexcused and disciplinary action may be taken.
Completing the school-provided Early Dismissal Request Form will result in the necessary information
being submitted for proper records. If the parent/guardian authorizes the student to drive him/her self, the
appropriate section must be completed on the Early Dismissal Request Form. This request is to be
submitted to the Attendance Office upon arrival to school. If a student will be driving him/herself to the
appointment, a phone call by the parent/guardian should be made the day before. If parent verification
cannot be made, the student will not be dismissed.
Upon the arrival of the parent/guardian, the student will be called from their class to report to the
Attendance Office to meet the parent/guardian (unless driving him/her self). The parents/guardian will
be required to sign out their son/daughter in the Attendance Office. If returning to school the same
day following an appointment, the student must sign into the Attendance Office.
Failure to produce an Excuse for Early Dismissal along with appropriate verified documentation will
result in the Early Dismissal being recorded as unexcused, and credit will not be given for missed
work. Appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Compulsory School Attendance Act and/or
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