Get Pre Approval Form For Absences Madison County

Unexcused Absences and Tardies At WHES, a student cannot have more than 6 unexcused absences or 12 unexcused tardies in a school year. More than 6 unexcused absences are considered habitual truancy. If necessary, truancy/educational neglect may be filed.

You'll need to provide a note within two days of your child's return to school or the absences will be recorded as unexcused. Your principal or teachers will notify you if there are three or more unexcused absences, and will work with you and your child if there is a concern that absences are becoming excessive.

Excused absences include: illness (including mental or behavioral health of the student) observance of a religious holiday or event. death in the immediate family, family emergency.

A Request for Excused Absence for Educational Reasons form must be completed and received at least two weeks in advance. “Family trips and vacations that were not designed initially to be educational will not be excused.” A request may be denied if it is: not submitted in time.

Students with five or more unexcused absences are considered truant from school and will be referred to truancy court.

School officials shall immediately intervene to encourage the student's future attendance when the student has three (3) consecutive unlawful absences or a total of five (5) unlawful absences, and the school principal shall promptly approve or disapprove any student absence in excess of ten (10) days.

The state describes lawful absences as any of the following: sickness, quarantine, death in the immediate family, medical or dental appointments, court or administrative proceedings when the child is a party to the action, religious observances, and educational opportunities.

"There is no 'limit' to the number of absences that a parent/guardian can excuse for a child, but the number of absences does trigger interventions or the truancy process," she said.