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Community Consolidated School District 146

Learning for all

Attendance

Attendance

Absences

Board Policy

7:70 Attendance and Truancy

 

Types of Absence

Excused Absence (Valid Cause): In accordance with 105 ILCS 5/26-2a, acceptable reasons verified by parental notification (i.e., note, phone call, or email) include:

  • Illness, including the mental or behavioral health of the student.
  • Observance of a religious holiday or religious instruction.
  • Death in the immediate family or family emergency.
  • Verified medical or therapeutic appointments, court appearances, attending military honors to sound “Taps,” civic events, or voting pursuant to Board policy.
  • Other circumstances causing reasonable concern to the parent/guardian for the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or safety.
  • Other situations beyond the control of the student, as approved by the Superintendent or Board of Education.

If a student is absent for four or more consecutive school days due to illness, a medical release signed by the student’s doctor may be required. Students absent for mental or behavioral health reasons will be provided supportive resources and may be referred to the school social worker or psychologist for evaluation as needed. Students absent for a valid cause will be provided reasonable opportunity to make up missed assignments without academic penalty.

Unexcused Absence: Absences for any reason not described above as a valid cause, including unexcused truancy and unexcused extended vacations.

 

Extended Absences

A student with unexcused absences and/or extended vacation inside or outside of the country for more than 10 consecutive school days is required to be unenrolled from school. Upon return, the student must repeat the registration process.

Truancy

Diagnostic Procedures & Supportive Services for Truancy

Student attendance is critical to learning. District 146 monitors attendance daily and reviews chronic absence data to identify students in need of support.

  • Truancy Definitions: Students who miss more than 1% but less than 5% of the prior 180 regular school days without valid cause are truant. Students who miss 5% or more of the prior 180 regular school days without valid cause are chronic truants.
  • Diagnostic Procedures: When a student demonstrates unexcused absenteeism or truancy, the district will utilize diagnostic procedures to identify the root causes of the attendance issue. These procedures include interviews with the student, parent(s)/guardian(s), and appropriate school personnel who have information regarding the student's attendance.
  • Supportive Services: District 146 is committed to supporting student attendance. Available supportive services for truant or chronically absent students include parent-teacher conferences, student counseling, family counseling, and information regarding available community-based services. Parents or guardians may access these services by contacting the school administration, social worker, or nurse.
  • Non-Punitive Action Notice: In accordance with Illinois law, no punitive action, including out-of-school suspensions, expulsions, or court action, shall be taken against a truant minor for his/her truancy unless available supportive services and other school resources have been offered to the student first.

(Note: A parent or guardian who knowingly and willfully permits a child to be truant may be subject to legal penalties under 105 ILCS 5/26-10).

 

Truancy Letters

1st Truancy Letter - Issued by School
2nd Truancy Letter - Issued by District
3rd Truancy Letter - Issued by South Cook Intermediate Service Center (ROE 4)