Attendance Goal: All students will attend school at least 95% of the school year. In order to achieve this goal, students cannot miss more than 9 days of school for the year.   As a school we will decide on incentives and rewards for the whole school to benefit from as we improve our daily, weekly, and quarterly attendance percentages.  Students can also help their class earn PBIS points for being on time and attending every day.  Individual students and classes will be able to exchange earned PBIS points for access to prizes, and free activities like extra recess or class parties.

School attendance is very important. Every absence from school interferes with your child’s opportunity to learn. There is a growing body of research showing that Chronic Absenteeism, usually defined by researchers as missing 10% or more of the school year (including excused and unexcused absences), has a significant negative effect on student achievement and may put a student at academic risk. The goal for Sandy Elementary is that all students miss no more than 5% of the school year, in an effort to help every student be successful now and in the future.

School Success goes Hand in Hand with Being in School Every Day! Did You Know?

• Many absences, even in kindergarten, can cause children to fall behind in school.
• Missing just a day or two every month can make it harder to learn to read by the third grade.
• Students with too many absences struggle to catch up, even with take-home assignments.
• Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves.

What Can You Do?

• Develop a regular bedtime and morning routine.
• Avoid missing school unless a child is truly sick and seek help if chronic illness is a challenge. Check with our school nurse or office staff if you are not sure about when to keep your child at home due to illness.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school support staff, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.

Types of Absences:

• Valid Excused Absence: An absence excused with approved verification (ie. doctor note, dentist note, legal note, wedding announcement, obituary, or other approved verification).
• Guardian Excused Absence: An absence excused by a parent/legal guardian without approved verification. Parents must call the office or send a note within one week of the absence. The limit is five (5) days each school year per Canyons District policy 500.35; any additional absences without approved verification will be considered unexcused.
• Unexcused Absence: Any absence without a valid excuse.

Chronic absenteeism

• When a student’s TOTAL number of Excused and Unexcused absences adds up to missing 10% or more of the school year, that student’s attendance record is considered as chronic absenteeism. 
• Chronic absenteeism must be addressed by the Principal, Teacher, Student, and Parents to find creative solutions and supportive interventions that create an environment where a student can feel supported and comfortable coming to school.

Communication Procedure for Valid Excused Absences:

• Illness or Medical Appointment: Parent provides a note from a health care provider to the front office.
• Family Death, Family Emergency, Religious Holiday: Parent provides notification to the school that the student will be absent (obituary, wedding announcement, etc…).
• Procedure for Education/Vacation Leave: A student may be allowed up to ten (10) days for education/vacation leave in a given school year, if prior arrangements have been made with the school for the student to make up his/her homework. Prior to education leave, parents complete an Education Leave/Vacation Form for approval. Teachers will complete the “Work to Be Completed” section and determine a reasonable due date. School administration will verify education leave.

Unexcused Absences