Attendance

Action Taken

• Three (3) Days of Absence (3% of the Semester): An email will be sent to parents/caregivers explaining attendance concerns and ramifications.

• Six (6) Days of Absence (6% of the Semester): A printed letter will be provided to the parent stating attendance concerns and ramifications.  A referral will be made to the school Student Intervention Team (SIT) and/or the school attendance team.

• Nine (9) Day of Absence* (10% of the Semester):  The state defines the 10% mark as “chronically absent.” The DCSD must send an attendance letter at the 9% mark by certified mail to the family and notify the Scott County Attorney’s Office.  Weekly communication regarding attendance will continue from this point forward.

• Thirteen (13) Days of Absence (15% of the Semester): The school is required to reach out to schedule a School Engagement Meeting with parents, student, counselor, building administrator and School Resource Officer. The focus of the meeting will be to identify barriers to attendance and create an agreement for how we can improve your child's attendance.

• Seventeen (17) Days of Absence (20% of the Semester): The state defines this 20% mark as “truant.” The school will follow the procedures for determining whether a student is truant, including the involvement of school resource officers. A decision will be made if truancy charges are applicable.

Action Taken

• Five (5) Days of Absence (6% of the Semester): An email will be sent to parents/caregivers explaining attendance concerns and ramifications.

• Nine (9) Day of Absence* (10% of the Semester):  The state defines the 10% mark as “chronically absent.” The DCSD must send an attendance letter at the 9% mark by certified mail to the family and notify the Scott County Attorney’s Office.  Weekly communication regarding attendance will continue from this point forward.

• Thirteen (13) Days of Absence (15% of the Semester): The school is required to reach out to schedule a School Engagement Meeting with parents, student, counselor, building administrator and School Resource Officer. The focus of the meeting will be to identify barriers to attendance and create an agreement for how we can improve your child's attendance.

• Seventeen (17) Days of Absence (20% of the Semester): The state defines this 20% mark as “truant.” The school will follow the procedures for determining whether a student is truant, including the involvement of school resource officers. A decision will be made if truancy charges are applicable.

SF 2435 provides six (6) truancy exemptions. These exemptions apply to a student:

• Who has completed the requirements for graduation in a public school district or has obtained a high school equivalency diploma under chapter 259A.

• Who is excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge.

• While attending religious services or receiving religious instructions.

• Who is unable to attend school due to legitimate medical reasons. Exemption will only apply with:

  • A note from a certified physician is required -OR-

  • A student who is sent home by a school nurse

• Who has an individualized education program that affects the child's attendance.

• Who has a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, 29 u.s.c. §794, that affects the child's attendance

Elementary

Attendance is calculated using whole-day or half-day absences since students typically stay with one teacher throughout the day. Based on the district’s 390 instructional minutes per school day:

• Half-Day Absence: If a student misses 195–389 minutes in a single day.
• Whole-Day Absence: If a student misses 390 minutes or more.

Occurrences marked as tardy or early release should only be used when the missed time does not meet the threshold for a half-day or whole-day absence. These codes do not contribute to attendance letters or other qualifications. For absences to count towards letters, the missed time must meet the criteria for half-day or whole-day absence and must be paired with an official absence code.

Secondary

Attendance is tracked by periods, as students typically change teachers each period. Absent minutes are counted toward a total if an official absence code is used. However, time marked with a Late code does not contribute to the accumulation of absence minutes for attendance letters.

The Late code is used for true tardiness, such as arriving within 5–10 minutes late. Accumulated absences are calculated based on total minutes missed in a day. Once the total reaches 390 minutes, it counts as a full day of absence, contributing to attendance letter thresholds.

More Information

Attendance will be reset at the beginning of each semester.  The DCSD reserves the right to keep supports in place to ensure that positive attendance habits continue.

*all calculations are made based on an 87 day semester

Consistent attendance, even in preschool and kindergarten, establishes a strong habit that benefits students throughout their academic journey and beyond. By prioritizing school attendance early, children develop the understanding that being present at school is valuable, setting the stage for continued engagement and success as they grow.

Regular attendance is essential for keeping students engaged, on track academically, and prepared for graduation. It plays a crucial role in ensuring students consistently build the knowledge and skills necessary for long-term success. Every day in the classroom contributes to their progress, fostering personal growth and equipping them for future opportunities. Let’s work together to help students reach their full potential.

Beyond academics, good attendance habits influence long-term outcomes—students who attend school regularly are more likely to lead successful lives, reducing risks of poverty, health challenges, and interactions with the criminal justice system. By working together to promote consistent attendance, we are building brighter futures for our students and our community.

Emphasize the importance of daily school attendance to your child and talk about how showing up every day benefits their education and overall well-being.

Recognize that school is more than academics; attending regularly helps students build routines, engage in life, and access valuable school resources like counseling. Support your students' success by identifying and mitigating challenges such as transportation limitations, health-related absences, family circumstances, and socioeconomic factors that can prevent students from being in the classroom.

Maintain open communication with teachers, setting consistent routines at home, and emphasizing the importance of daily attendance, parents can help build strong habits. Staying informed about school policies, addressing potential challenges proactively, and celebrating attendance milestones can further ensure their child stays engaged and on track for success.

Help your child maintain consistent daily routines such as finishing homework, getting a good night's sleep, and eating breakfast. Avoid scheduling nonessential appointments during school hours to minimize disruptions to your child's education.

Support your child's mental and emotional health by noticing signs of anxiety and working with the school to address any concerns.