Attendance

School Attendance Line: 763-689-6191

The general policy of the school district on Student Attendance is Policy 503. Student attendance in the online program is verified through consistent academic progress and consistent interaction in the learning management system, Edgenuity. Students who are not making academic progress and consistently interacting with the learning management system will be marked as absent.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policies and Procedures for Students in K-12

Minnesota State Statute requires that children attend school. For students under the age of 12, it is presumed that it is a parental responsibility to ensure the child’s attendance. Between the ages of 12 through the 17th year, it is primarily the student’s responsibility to attend school on a weekly basis. Attendance is taken weekly in the online program and is based on work completion for the week as a whole. If a student misses a portion of the school week, for legitimate reasons, a parent or guardian must notify the school.

Examples of excused absence/tardy include: Illness, family emergency, suspension, religious holiday, dental, medical or mental health appointment, vacation, or school-sponsored activities.

Unexcused absences are any other reason than listed above, and are also considered an unexcused absence if the school is not notified of the reason for a student’s absence. If a student is absent without lawful excuse on three or more days, or any part of the school day, they are considered truant. Truancy is a violation of Minnesota State Law.

The parents, school, and community are all partners in working towards the goal of school attendance and educational success. The Law is “designed to provide a continuum of intervention and services to support families and children in school and combating truancy and educational neglect.”

When a student has had three unexcused absences, the school will begin the initial interventions. The school is legally required to notify the parent or guardian that the child is a “continuing truant” under the law after three unexcused absences. A letter will be sent outlining potential legal consequences as well as recommended action for the parent. If the student has seven unexcused absences, he/she is considered “habitually truant”. The school is required to report to Isanti County Family Services or Isanti County Court Services that the student is in violation of the compulsory attendance laws. If more than 7 absences occur, parents are strongly encouraged to attend a school conference with their child.

If a child’s absences reach 10 or more days for the year for any reason, the school reserves the right to require a note from a physician specifically stating that the child is too ill to participate in school for that day.