Students are expected and required by law to attend school daily. We realize this may be interrupted due to illness or other medical reasons or because of emergencies.In the case of a student's absence, parents are asked to call the school office on that day (ext. 301). State law also requires parents to send a note upon the child's return to school stating the reason for the absence.  If a note is not received, the absence will be considered unexcused. 

State Statutes allow for a parent to excuse their child up to 5 days per semesterfor any reason. For absentee’s beyond 5 days, students are considered truant and given warnings about further absences, that could involve legal action. Five such warnings will  be  given before a citation is written, which includes a $50 or $100 fine. A student is considered habitually truant if they have missed all or part of 11 days of school per semester. Parents and the student given the citation will both be required to appear in court before a judge for all citations and subsequent penalties. A record of the accumulated absences and contacts will be kept and put in the child's cumulative folder.

If parents wish to pick up schoolwork for an ill student, they are asked to call the school in the morning so that there is sufficient time to gather the materials.

Printed below is a summary of the Auburndale School District's attendance policy that was adopted by the School Board to comply with the State school attendance requirements, under the compulsory school attendance statute (118.15).

EXCUSED ABSENCES:

The School District of Auburndale recognizes the following reasons for valid excused absences. Excused absences allow students to make up missed assignments, class work and tests without penalty under the following criteria: a) It is the student's responsibility to contact the teacher(s) to make arrangements for making up assignments missed during an absence from school. b) Students are allowed the number of days absent plus one day to make up all missed assignments without penalty. Exceptions may only be granted by the building principal.

1. Illness of student: Parent written verification is required. The school district may request the parent/guardian to obtain a written statement from a physician as proof of the physical condition of the student. Such excuses shall be made in writing, shall state the period of time for which it is validand shall not exceed thirty days.

2. Dental, medical and other valid professional appointments: Parent written verification is required. The school district may request the parent/guardian to obtain a medical/dental appointment card. Parents are urged to make appointments during non-school hours.

3. Family Emergencies: An emergency is defined as an unusual occurrence that requires a student's attendance with the family. At home work assignments or private employment assignments do not constitute family emergencies. As defined by the State of Wisconsin, the local school district remains the sole determining factor of the validity of the emergency situation.

4. Unique situations, which require the student's absence from school (family vacations, school visitations, etc.):  A written parent verification is required. All unique situations require pre-approval from the building principal and advanced makeup of all class assignments prior to approval of the absence. Students receiving failing grades will normally not receive permission. A student trip without parent accompaniment will not be considered a valid excuse.

5. A death in the immediate family or funerals for close relatives or friends: Parent's written verification is required.

6. Approved school activities during class time.

7. Special circumstances that show good cause and are approved in advance by the principal. Parent's written verification is required.

SPECIAL ABSENCES:

I. If a student will be absent to show animals at a fair, the following procedures should be followed:

• A note from the parent should be given to the teacher with

verification that the student will be showing animals at the fair or is involved with the fair;

• All assignments for missed days should be obtained, completed

and turned in to teachers before the student is actually absent;

c. For the absence to be "excused", the above should be followed. Any exemptions must be approved in advance by the elementary principal.

II. If a student will be absent during hunting season, the following procedures should be followed for the absence to be “excused”:

• A note from the parents should be given to the teacher with a copy

of the hunting license;

b. All assignments for missed days should be obtained, completed and turned in before the student is actually absent.

c. For the absence to be "excused", the above should be followed. Any exemptions must be approved in advance by the elementary principal.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:

Students who are absent from school with the consent of their parent/guardian, but whose absence does not meet the aforementioned criteria of excused absence, shall be considered un-excused. In such cases, the student will be expected to submit a written statement signed by his/her parent/guardian explaining the reason for the absence. On the basis of this statement, the principal will determine whether credit for the makeup work will be granted. The principal of each school located in the district shall serve as the school attendance officer and deal with all matters relating to school attend. and truancy.