Absences / Tardiness / Early or Late Dismissals

Regular attendance is essential for academic achievement. However, occasional circumstances will arrive that necessitate a shortened school day or a planned absence. In the event that this occurs, use the following procedures for notifying teachers and making arrangements with the school office:

  • Reporting an Absence: Call the school office by 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the student’s absence. The Absentee Line is 952-925-9193 ext. 3. Upon the student’s return, a signed parent letter that explains the reason for absence should be given to the teacher who in turn will give it to the school office.
  • Tardy Arrivals: Grade 1-8 students are considered “tardy” when they arrive after the 7:40 bell. Students who arrive tardy must stop by the school office to sign in and obtain a late pass. Six tardy arrivals will result in a “Mandatory Make-Up” which is a 60 minute make-up period held on Wednesdays, 3:00-4:00, to make up for the loss of class time. Two Mandatory Make-Ups will be recorded as an absence on the student’s school record. Tardy arrivals are cumulative and do not start over at the beginning of each quarter. When such events as severe weather or a major traffic accident occur that makes it impossible to get to school on time, a tardy will not be applied to the student’s record. Safety is the primary consideration in commuting to school.
  • Early Dismissal/Late Arrival: Parents should email or send a letter to the school office AND classroom teacher at least 24 hours in advance. Parents must come into the building to sign out their child. Missing more than 3 hours on a day consists of a full day’s absence; arriving after 10:40 AM or leaving before Noon is considered being absent for the day.
  • Planned Absences: Students should bring a signed parent letter to the school office AND classroom teacher at least 24 hours prior to the planned absence. The letter should include the dates that the student will be absent and the reason. If homework is requested, parents or students must make arrangements with the classroom teacher at least a week in advance.
  • Vacations: Vacations which take children out of the classroom, especially for more than a day or two, are usually significantly disruptive to both the teacher and the student. These vacations should be avoided as much as possible.