Understanding School Attendance Guidelines

We look forward to welcoming your student back this school year! Regular school attendance is crucial for your student’s success and the Davenport Community School District has implemented guidelines to respond when a student is identified as chronically absent. These guidelines align with Iowa Senate File 2435, signed into law two years ago by Governor Reynolds.

What is Chronic Absenteeism? Under Iowa law, a student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the semester for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences. This means that even if your child has legitimate reasons for missing school, such as illness or family emergencies, these absences still count toward the chronic absenteeism threshold.

Impact on Your Child

If your child is identified as chronically absent under Iowa Senate File 2435, the school will be required to take specific actions, including:

• Parent Notification: You will be notified in writing if your child is approaching the threshold for chronic absenteeism. Initial notification occurs after three absences in elementary and middle school and five absences for the high school. If a child misses 10% of the semester, a letter will be sent in accordance with the law. Weekly communications will take place if your child misses 10% or more of the semester and is considered chronically absent. Development of an
• Attendance Plan: If your child misses 15% or more of the semester, the school will work with you to develop an attendance plan designed to address the underlying causes of your child’s absences. This plan may include strategies for improving attendance, referrals to support services, or other interventions as needed.
• Potential Consequences: If your child misses 20% or more of the semester, they are considered truant and further actions may be taken. This may include referrals to external agencies or legal action as mandated by state law.

How You Can Help

We understand that each family's situation is unique, and we are here to work with you to support your child’s attendance. Here are a few ways you can help:

• Communicate with Us: If your child needs to miss school, please notify the school as soon as possible and provide any necessary documentation.
• Stay Informed: Monitor your child’s attendance record regularly through the school’s parent portal or by contacting the school office.
• Engage in Attendance Planning: If your child is at risk of becoming chronically absent, participate actively in developing and implementing an attendance plan.

Support Available

e are committed to working with you to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. If you have concerns about your child’s attendance or need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, family support liaison, or the school administration.

At DCSD our goal is to Grow Excellence, and regular school attendance is what makes this possible for our students! We value showing up together, every day. Please prioritize your child’s school attendance. We are here to support you and find solutions together.