Attendance and Taking Students from School
All students must be checked out of school by a parent or family member who is IN OUR SYSTEM and allowed to check the student out of school.
Students may not leave with friends, other families, etc.
If a parent takes a student out of school early, it can count as a tardy. Tardies add up to unexcused absences.
If a child is absent from school and the parent does not call in, it is an unexcused absence.
Not all reasons for absences are legally allowed. Please see our attendance clerk or principal for guidance in this area.
LONG TERM absences are detrimental to a student’s progress in school. The principal will NOT grant permission for these types of absences. Student Services will need to be contacted, and parents will need to provide the burden of proof that is required for Student Services and Truancy to excuse an absence.
TRUANCY LAW:
Wyandotte County Truancy Program
The Wyandotte County Truancy Program’s intent is to have students return to school and maintain their attendance. This program is based on the Kansas Compulsory Attendance law that requires every child who is enrolled in school and/or has reached the age of seven years and is under the age of 18 unless excused in accordance with provisions of Kansas law (K.S.A. 72-1113) attend school. Therefore, a student is truant when:
He/she is required by law to attend school and is not enrolled
A student is truant when he/she is inexcusably absent from school a significant
part of the school day
A student is truant if he/she is absent without a VALID excuse for
3 consecutive Days
5 Days in a school semester
7 Days in a school year
The success of the program is measured by the number of unexcused pre and post absences, as well as participation in the Truancy Diversion Program. The Truancy Diversion Program requires the parent and/or guardian and middle/high school student to attend and complete four consecutive classes. The student’s attendance will also be monitored for 120 days. Students receive support from a Truancy Monitor during the 120 days monitoring period. Along with Diversion Classes, parent support groups are facilitated by social workers and community resources are given in support to maintaining good attendance.
The Secondary Diversion classes focus on:
Understanding Kansas Truancy Laws
Diversion
Court – Petitions
Kansas Code for Care of Children
How Truancy Issues are Addressed
District Attorney’s Involvement with Truancy Cases
Review of the Code of Conduct
Sustaining current District programs (Family Advocacy, STS, PACT)
Potential reasons for truancy (drugs, gangs, behavior, bullying)
Second Step Curriculum
Decision Making Skills
Coping with Stress
Setting Attainable Goals
Academic Success
Importance of an Education
Graduation Requirements
Education Alternatives
The Elementary Diversion Program consists of social workers, who conduct assessments to identify root causes for truancy and provide support and resources to maintain good attendance. The Truancy Diversion Program requires the parent and/or guardian to attend and complete three classes. The student’s attendance will also be monitored for 120 days. Students receive support from a Truancy Monitor during the 120 days monitoring period.
The Elementary Diversion classes focus on:
Parenting issues/concerns
Parenting Classes for Elementary Parents are given through PACES