Absenteeism and Truancy Policy

Attendance Policy

Attendance at school every day is the first step on the path for success. Absence from school means missing quality instructional time, classwork, homework, and social connection. While there is an understanding that students may miss school because of illness, family emergency, or religious reasons, students and families should make every attempt to be consistent in attendance every day.

School Law provides that every parent, guardian, or person with custody of any child of compulsory school age must send such child to a school that conforms to the minimum standards prescribed by the Illinois State Board of Education for the full time that school is in session. Regular attendance is a requirement of all students enrolled in Horizon Science Academy Belmont during the days and hours that school is in session.

Excused and Unexcused Absences

HSA recognizes two kinds of absences and tardiness: excused and unexcused.

Excused Absences:

• Personal illness: The principal or administration may require a doctor’s note/certificate.
• Family illness: Excused up to 3 days only when the student’s presence at home is necessary.
• Death of a relative: Excused up to 3 days with a written request from the parent or guardian.
• Mandatory quarantine: Excused with a written doctor’s statement for the allotted time frame.
• Religious holiday: Excused upon written request at least 3 days in advance.
• Emergency situations: Work at home due to immediate and emergency situations.
• Situational/sufficient cause: Acceptable at the principal’s judgment (e.g., family emergency).
• Suspension: Absence due to school suspension.
• Court appearance: Required legal appearances.

The principal reserves the right to verify written statements and investigate the cause of each single absence.

Preplanned Absences

Parents are encouraged not to take children out of school for reasons other than emergencies, non-school sponsored educational activities, family vacations authorized by parent/guardian, funerals, family illness, or mandatory quarantine. The parent must notify the principal in person 10 days in advance and sign a form assuming full responsibility. Failure to comply results in unexcused absences. Families are strongly advised not to arrange vacations while school is in session.

Unexcused Absences and Reporting

Unexcused absences include failing to bring a note within two school days, leaving without signing out, being absent from class without permission, or failure to report to a location after receiving a pass.

Illinois Law requires daily verification of absences. Parents must call the school between 7:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. A written notification must be brought on the day of return; there is a statute of limitations of 3 school days for the notification to be valid for an excused absence.

Attendance Action Plan

Early Dismissal and Make-Up Work

Early dismissals should be avoid when possible. If necessary, a parent must bring a note to the office and sign the student out; students must sign in upon return. A "three strike rule" per quarter applies to early pickups unless approved for emergencies. Early dismissal is not granted 30 minutes prior to regular dismissal without authorization.

Make-Up Work: Students must ask for make-up work on the first day they return. If they fail to ask on the first day, teachers will not provide work. Students receive one day to make up work for every day missed. Failure to request work can lead to a falling grade and mandatory tutoring. These rules also apply to suspended students, who must ask for work at an appropriate time on their first day back.

Tardiness Policy

Students must be in their first period classes by 8:30 a.m. Late students require a tardy pass and must be signed in by a parent or guardian. Excessive tardiness causes unnecessary burdens on teachers and disrupts learning. Middle school students (Grades 6-8) with more than 24 tardies in a year may automatically fail their first period class.