handbook - Nampa School District #131

Parent reporting absences to schoolWhenever a student is absent, the parent should call the attendance office at 498-0562 onthe day of the absence and/or no later than 24 hours from the absence. This timely noticeis important because without it, a student may be incorrectly identified as truant. The phonecall should include:The student’s first & last name, spelling out the last name clearly.The date(s) of the absence(s).The reason for the absence(s).A phone number where parents can be reached.In the case of an extended absence of two (2) or more days, we ask that you notify theschool so we can inform teachers, provide make-up work if requested, and verify that yourstudent is safe. In reporting extended absences, please give details as to the nature of theextended absence and an expected date of return to school. Extended medical illnessesmay require documentation from your health care provider.School reporting absences/truancy to parentsWhen a student is absent and the school was not notified, we will:Call parents from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. that day using an automated calling system;Update information in PowerSchool, a web-based computer program that allowsparents to monitor attendance, grades, and other information;Identify the student for possible follow-up depending on past absences.So we may reach you with this important information, we ask that if you change phonenumbers you update the school immediately. Because phone messages do not alwaysreach parents, we also make absence information available through PowerSchool, theweb-based computer program that allows parents to monitor attendance, grades, and otherinformation. Contact the school’s main office for up your PowerSchool log-in. If you haveany questions concerning an absence, please contact the attendance secretary at 498-0562 during office hours the next day, 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.Monitoring Absences, Consequences & Possible Loss of CreditOur school and parents expect students to be in school every day it is in session. Werecognize that life’s events and school activities may make it necessary for a student tooccasionally miss a class or an entire day. We identify absences with various codes. Bycoding absences, we are able to the use the information to inform parents, identify studentswho may be having difficulty, and take actions when absences threaten a student’ssuccess in school. Furthermore, this coding system is helpful when determining whichabsences are Excused in regard to the credit petitioning for Excessive Absences (explainedin the next section).Codes for AbsencesParents may give their student permission to be absent. Verbal or written communicationmust come from the parent within 24 hours of the absence to excuse an absence andprevent truancy. School work missed during excused absences may be made up. Note:The abbreviations after the excuse are codes that are used to monitor and track absences.- 15-