501.08 – Student Absences-Excused

Regular attendance by students is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students shall attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.

Student absences approved by the principal shall be excused absences. These absences include, but are not limited to illness, recognized religious observances, and school-sponsored or approved activities.

Students whose absences are approved shall make up the work missed and receive full credit for the missed schoolwork. It shall be the responsibility of the student to initiate a procedure with the student’s teacher to complete the work missed.

Students who wish to participate or attend school-sponsored activities must attend school the half of the school activity if excused. Exceptions to this requirement would include regularly scheduled medical/dental appointments and funerals. Other exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the building principal. All exceptions must be approved in advance.

It shall be the responsibility of the parent to notify the student’s attendance center as soon as the parent knows the student will not be attending school on that day. The principal may require evidence or written verification of the student’s reason for absence to count as excused or an exception in the above paragraph.

Specifically for the High School:
Excused Absences and Make-up Work

It is the belief of the Colfax-Mingo Board of Directors, Administrators, Teachers, and Staff that attendance is one of the most important keys to a student’s success not only in school but also in their future as well. High School attendance has a direct correlation with the attendance records of the students when they enter the working world. Students shall attend school unless excused by the Principal. Student absences approved by the Principal shall be excused absences. Excused absences shall count as days in attendance for purposes of the truancy law. These absences include the following but are not limited to:

  • Illnesses
  • Religious observances School-sponsored activities
  • Vacation with a parent with prior notice Doctor’s appointments
  • Job shadowing**
  • College Visits**
  • Field Trips sponsored by the school^

**The first one does not count towards the eight (8) day absences

^Does not count against the (8) days absences

The Principal reserves the right to excuse an absence.

Every student will be allotted eight (8) days of excused absences per semester. Parent/guardian will be notified in writing and by phone when their student has four (4) excused absences. When a student reaches their eighth (8) absence, the parent/guardian will be notified in writing and a meeting will be set up with the student, the parents/guardian, the Principal, and the counselor to discuss the expectations of further absences.

Students whose absence or tardy is excused shall make up the work missed and receive full credit for the missed schoolwork. It shall be the responsibility of the student to initiate a procedure with the teacher to complete the work missed. In order to receive full credit, students must complete all work prior to being gone on a pre-arranged excused absence. (i.e., a vacation, college visits, field trips, job shadowing)

All make-up work for absences exceeding three consecutive days must be completed within one week plus the number of days absent. The time and nature of make-up work shall be at the discretion of the teacher.

Truancy-Unexcused Absences

The Board of Directors of the Colfax-Mingo Community School District shall not tolerate truancies or unexcused absences.

An unexcused absence is defined as an absence without a reasonable excuse. Mere parental notification does not constitute an excuse for an absence. The authority to excuse an absence is vested in the Principal. Absences for the following reasons shall be considered unexcused:

  • Tardiness Shopping
  • Hunting
  • Attending concerts
  • Fairs
  • Performances
  • Other events not sponsored by the school
  • Preparation or participation in parties and other celebrations
  • Employment
  • Home chores
  • Baby-sitting Haircuts
  • Tanning or other personal grooming excursions
  • Being gone without a parent’s/guardian’s prior knowledge
  • Not bringing a written notice of an absence within 48 hours

This list is by no means inclusive. Colfax-Mingo High School does not authorize a student skip day. Any student participating in a “skip day” will be considered unexcused and truant.

Accumulation of Excused and Unexcused Absences

Excused Absences

As stated earlier, a student is allotted eight (8) excused absences per semester. Parents/guardians will be notified in writing and by phone after the fourth (4) absence. Upon the eighth (8) absence, the parents/guardian will be notified in writing and will be expected to meet with the Principal, student, and any other designee. Any absences occurring after the eighth (8) absence will require a written confirmation from medical personnel stating why the student was absent. All students will be allowed to make up their work with full credit with medically excused absences after the allotted eight (8) days. If a student does not have a medically excused absence beyond the eighth (8) day, the student may be subject to making up time for each of the absences beyond the allotted eight (8) days of absence. As long as a student makes up the time they missed from class, they may receive full credit for their make-up work.

Unexcused Absences

Upon a student’s second (2) unexcused absence the parent/guardian will be notified in writing and by phone. Once a student has reached two (2) unexcused absences, a student will be considered truant and will be put on academic probation. After a student’s fourth (4) unexcused absence, a meeting will be called by the Principal or their designee with the student, parent/guardian, counselor, and/or the at-risk director. Once a student has reached five (5) unexcused absences in a semester, they will be dropped from a class and a NO CREDIT will be given for that course or courses missed. If a parent/guardian would like to have their student reinstated in a class for credit, they will need to meet with the Superintendent and/or Board of Directors of the Colfax-Mingo Schools.

Absence on the Day of an Activity

Students who wish to participate in or attend school-sponsored activities (i.e., including practices, meetings, pictures, etc.) must attend school the half of the school day of the activity if excused. Exceptions to this requirement would include regularly scheduled medical/dental appointments and funerals. Other exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Building Principal. All exceptions must be approved in advance.

Parental Notification Responsibility

It shall be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the high school attendance center (674-4111) as soon as the parent knows the student will not be attending school. The answering machine is on from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. Please understand that parental/guardian notification does not constitute an excused absence. The Principal may request evidence or written verification of the student’s reason for absence. The student has forty-eight (48) hours in which to produce a note from a parent/guardian when the school is not notified in advance. Failure to do so will result in the absence being counted as unexcused.

Date of Adoption: July 15, 1996

Reviewed & Revised: March 11, 2002 [Policy Effective date: July 1, 2002]; January 27, 2003; September 5, 2006; January 21, 2008; March 15, 2019