Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is essential for success in school. The characteristics of punctuality and dependability are personal habits that are respected in our society and therefore are part of the educational process. Indiana Law IC 20-33-2-6 states that students between the ages of seven (7) and eighteen (18) are required by law to attend school. Indiana Code 20-33-2-27 Compulsory Attendance states it is unlawful that a parent/guardian fail to ensure that their child attends school as required under this chapter.

The only absences considered legal or "excused" absences are personal illness, death in the family, exclusion by a doctor, or observance of religious holidays. Plymouth Community School Corporation complies with Indiana State laws regarding attendance and has adopted policies accordingly.
              
Types of Absences Defined

Excused Absences

  1. Illness verified by note from parent/guardian.
  2. Illness verified by note from a physician.
  3. Family    funeral   
  4. Maternity
  5. Military Connected Families (e.g. absences related to deployment and return)
  6. Administration consideration may be given when an extenuating circumstance would     indicate that it is in the best interest of the student or school.
  7.  Any student who becomes incapacitated or suffers from a chronic illness must have a parent or legal guardian file with the school the “Indiana Department of Education Certificate of Incapacity.”

Unexcused Absences

An unexcused absence is any absence not covered under the definition of excused or exempt.


Attendance Interventions

The school attempts to contact parent/guardians who have not made daily contact with the school as stated above for an absence. Parents/guardians may be notified when three (3) unexcused days have been accumulated for the year.  

A student may be placed on an attendance contract if there is a concern about the number of absences.  This contract is in effect once it is issued by the administrator.    

Once an attendance contract is initiated, provisions for disciplinary action may occur throughout the remainder of the school year, which may include:   

  1. School Issued Progressive Discipline
  2. ISS 
  3. SOSS  
  4. ExpulsionReferral to probation
  5. Referral of the parents to the County Prosecutor for prosecution under Indiana’s Compulsory Attendance Law (IC 20-33-2-27)

Pre-arranged Absence
A pre-arranged absence is any absence, which is planned or known prior to the absence. Pre-arranged absences do count toward the limit of ten (10) absences allowed. Any pre-arranged absence day in excess of these ten (10) is considered “unexcused.”

It is strongly encouraged that family vacations be taken during the summer or holiday/vacation times, when the student's educational and academic progress is not affected. When it becomes necessary or desirable to take a student out of school for a pre-arranged absence, the following procedures must be followed prior to the occurrence of the absence in order for the absence(s) to be "excused":

The parent/guardian must contact the school office prior to the absence stating the date(s) and reason for the absence.
The student is required to pick up a "Pre-Arranged Absence Form."
This form must be completed and returned in a timely manner. It is the student's responsibility to arrange make-up work with his or her teachers. The student should be prepared to turn in all assigned work the first day he or she returns to school from the absence, unless otherwise arranged by the teacher.


Make up Work Due to Absence
The school highly encourages parents/guardians to arrange for all homework (including missing homework) for their student.  When homework is requested, every effort will be made to prepare assignments and have books ready at the stated time. Families are expected to pick up the work if it is requested. The student should be prepared to turn in all assigned work the first day he or she returns to school from the absence, unless otherwise arranged by the teacher.   It is the student's responsibility to arrange make-up additional work with his or her teachers upon return.

All school-related work missed due to an absence must be completed.  Work missed due to an excused absence that is not pre-arranged must be completed within twice the number of days missed in order for the work to count for credit. However, the maximum time allowed to make up work is five (5) school days, unless otherwise arranged with the teacher.