Attendance

The easiest way is to contact the school to let them know that your child is ill. Please call before 9:00 am to let the school know your child will be absent from school. Each school has an attendance secretary, and you can reach them at the following numbers:

In addition, Waterford Graded School District requires a written explanation of an absence when the student returns to school.

State statutes allow parents/guardians to excuse 10 absences per school year. Medically excused absences do not count towards the parent’s 10 excused absences. For a medical absence, a slip from the medical provider’s office confirming the appointment of medical absence must be submitted to the school.

State law cites that students are to be in school all day, for every hour. Excused absences include: 

• Illness, including reasonable treatment for such illness, where the student is temporarily not in proper physical or mental condition to attend school. A written statement from a health care provider may be required to be submitted as proof of the student’s condition for student absences due to illness that are 3 school days or more in length. Such health care provider’s excuse shall state the period of time for which it is valid, and shall not exceed 30 days. 

• Medical appointments- The District strongly encourages parents and guardians to make every effort to schedule non-emergency medical examinations and appointments after school hours. (e.g., health maintenance/preventative care appointments)

• Religious holidays or instruction to the extent authorized by law

• Family emergency

• Severe weather conditions that, in the parent’s or guardian’s reasonable judgment, are a danger to the health and welfare or safety of the student

• Funerals of a family member or friend

• Suspension from school

• Mandatory court appearances

• Visiting a parent or guardian who is on active military duty and has been called to duty for or is on leave from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, or has returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting within the past 30 days.

• Prior-Parent Excused Absences that include: family vacations/travel, family weddings, and hunting. A pre-arranged absence form must be filled out at least 24 hours prior to the absence from school.

• Any other reasonably non-discretionary absence deemed appropriate by the school attendance officer. 

Sounding Taps - A student in grades 6-8 may be excused for the purpose of sounding “Taps” during military honors funeral for a deceased veteran

A pre-arranged absence form must be filled out at least 24 hours in advance of the absence in order for it to qualify for this type of absence. Students are responsible for making up work missed during the absence. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with their classroom teacher(s) to complete any assignments or examinations that are or will be missed during the absence. Absences falling into this absence category include discretionary absences known in advance such as family vacations/travel, family weddings, and hunting.

Medically excused absences do not count towards the parent’s 10 excused absences. For a medical absence, a slip from the medical provider’s office confirming the appointment of medical absence must be submitted to the school in order for it to qualify for a medically excused absence.

The Waterford Graded School District makes every effort to assist in maintaining the educational process for an ill student. Please contact your child’s school to request homework or other assistance. This type of absence is covered under medical absences. Medically excused absences do not count towards the parent’s 10 excused absences. For a medical absence, a slip from the medical provider’s office confirming the appointment or medical absence must be submitted to the school. For extended illnesses, we will work with families and make every effort to continue the student’s education.

After the parent/guardian utilizes all 10 excused absences, any further absences must be medically excused or the absence will be considered unexcused.

 If an unexcused absence has been noted in your child’s attendance record, please consider the following:

• We did not receive notification that your child was home ill.
• We did not receive a medical excuse from your child’s medical appointment. 
• Your child’s attendance record indicates that the 10 parent-excusable absences have been used or exceeded. 
• The reason for the absence that you provided may not have been excusable under the Waterford Graded School district attendance policy.
• Our record is incorrect. (Please call or visit your school’s Attendance Secretary, if you need to reconcile your child’s attendance record.) 

Please note: 

1. A student is only allowed to be unexcused 5 times per semester. Any unexcused absences beyond 5 can be referred for habitual truancy. Please call or visit your school’s Attendance Secretary if you need to reconcile your child’s attendance record. 
2. If a student is attending the District through the Open Enrollment Program, open enrollment may be terminated if a student is habitually truant.

Parents can help to improve their child’s attendance by:

• Letting your child know that you believe school is important.
• Not letting your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
• Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning; especially if they feel anxious about going to school.
• Viewing tardiness as unacceptable behavior.
• Setting a regular bedtime/curfew on school nights that is appropriate for your child’s age.
• Having a set plan for getting your child to school on time.
• Scheduling appointments outside of the school day whenever possible.
• Avoiding extended family trips during the school year.
• Notifying your school as soon as possible if your child has a prolonged absence due to illness or hospitalization.

Students who arrive within ten minutes late to school are considered tardy. If your child leaves school within 10 minutes of the school day ending, he/she will also be marked tardy for that period of the day.