Attendance and Tardy

Dear Parent, Guardians and students,

As you know, our school day begins at 8:15 a.m. One of the most valuable skills a student can learn comes in taking the responsibility of arriving at school everyday on time. This skill can easily be accomplished and will transfer as a valuable asset for the future. One of the most important times of the school day is the morning. This is the time when important school news is announced, teachers define the plans for the day, and instructional goals are reviewed and set. The whole tone of a child’s school day is set in the first part of the day. We ask for your support in helping your children learn habits that will help him/her be successful at school and throughout life.

SCHOOL SCHEDULE AND TARDY PROCEDURES:

8:05 a.m. First bell rings. All students line up and walk to class with their teacher.
8:10 a.m. Second bell rings. All students should be in their classrooms or with their teachers proceeding to the class.
8:15 a.m. Third bell rings. Announcements will begin promptly at 8:15 a.m. so instruction can commence immediately after.
8:15 a.m. Students arriving at this time are TARDY. Teachers do not accept students without a tardy pass from the office. Students arriving at this time report to the office for a tardy pass.

CONSEQUENCES FOR TARDINESS:

1st tardy Verbal warning.
2nd tardy Letter sent to parent/guardian outlining this policy.
3rd tardy Parent/student conference with teacher to resolve issue.
4th tardy Letter mailed home regarding consequence with next tardy.
5th tardy Consequences appropriate for student.

EXCESSIVE TARDINESS:

Excessive tardiness is defined as being tardy more that 10% of the current school session. Students who have excessive tardiness may miss the next class activity/field trip or special event.

Additionally, attendance is essential for student success. When students miss school, they miss out. Teachers plan lessons weekly. They use assessment information to help them plan lessons that are targeted toward helping all children experience growth. When a student is absent, they miss a large chunk of learning. It is essential that students attend school every day they are healthy. The law is very specific on how schools are to respond to excessive absences or tardies, also known as truancy.

Specifically the laws states: “It is unlawful for any child between six and sixteen years of age to fail to attend school during the hours school is in session…” Additionally, “a child who is habitually truant or who has excessive absences may be adjudicated an incorrigible child as defined in section 8-201. Absences may be considered excessive when the number of absent days exceeds 10% of the number of required attendance days prescribed in section 15-802, subsection B, paragraph 1…. Habitually truant means a truant child who is truant for at least five school days within a school year. Truant means an unexcused absence for at least one class period during the day. Truant child means a child who is between six and sixteen years of age and who is not in attendance at a public or private school during the hours that school is in session, unless excused as provided by this section. SS: 15-803 (A) (B) (C) (1,2,3) A parent…. who …fails to ensure that the child attends a public, private or charter school pursuant to this section is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.” SS: 15-802(A) (B) (1) (E) Further, an attendance officer may “issue a citation to an adult or child who is alleged to be in violation of laws specific in subsection A of this section to appear before a court of competent jurisdiction and shall advise the person to whom the citation is issued that failure to appear at the time and place specified in the citation may result in the issuance of a warrant for the person’s arrest. SS 15-805 (B) (1)

Since daily attendance is mandated by law, we feel confident in knowing you will support our efforts in helping your child achieve his/her very best in school. If you are unsure about the policy, please feel free to ask. Once again, thank you for your support. We look forward to making Dreaming Summit the premiere community school. If you have any further questions, please contact our office.

Thank You!

C.U.T.S. Truancy Program

C.U.T.S. Truancy Program

The education of our students is extremely important in the Litchfield School District. School attendance is not only a good habit that can help prepare students for future careers, but it is required by state law.

According to Arizona State Law (15-802.E, 15-803), every parent/legal guardian must ensure that children between the ages of six and sixteen years of age attend school during school hours, unless a child is unable to attend due to illness or another legitimate reason.

To encourage and improve school attendance, Litchfield Elementary School District, in partnership with Maricopa County Juvenile Court, has implemented a truancy program. This truancy program is called C.U.T.S. (Court Unified Truancy Suppression). C.U.T.S. requires the school to track student attendance closely.

· An absence is defined as a minimum of one missed class period per day.

· An unexcused absence will count as a truant day as defined by law.

· A student is “habitually truant” if s/he has five or more unexcused absences from school.

· A student that is absent more than ten percent (18 days) of the required number of school days per year is considered to have “excessive absences” whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

If a student has five or more unexcused absences or over 18 excessive absences (excused and/ OR unexcused), the student can be cited to the C.U.T.S. Program through the Juvenile Court.

If a student is cited under this law, a hearing would be held at the Juvenile Court Center. A parent or legal guardian must be present with the student at the time of the hearing. Consequences at the hearing may include the following:

· required attendance of the parent and the child at an education class (to be held on Saturdays)

· work hours assigned to the child

· mandatory counseling

· a $50 Diversion fee assessed to the parent/guardian

Failure to take the necessary steps to ensure that your child attends school on a regular basis may result in a citation. If convicted, this violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by fine and/or jail time. Your support and commitment to ensuring that your child comes to school when s/he is well enough to do so is essential.

This program is one way the Litchfield Elementary School District is working with parents and the community to ensure a quality education for all students. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 623-547-1200.

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Attendance and Tardy

C.U.T.S. Truancy Program