For Parents

Absence

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to ensure that your child attends school regularly and arrives on time daily. Attendance is a critical element of your child’s education and has a significant impact on social well-being and achievement. Frequent tardies are not only detrimental to the student who is late but disrupt the entire class. Significant absence (more than 10 days in the school year)  may also be cause for retention. An absence rate of ten percent (ie, 18 days absent in the whole school year) whether excused or not excused does require a parent meeting with administration to discuss retention. 

 It is the expectation of Arcadia Sky that parents be strong partners in the area of absence.

In accordance with state law, students who have not arrived by 11:15am will be marked absent. Students who leave school before 11:15am will be marked absent for the day. 

Excused Absence

Arcadia Sky Community School Board Policy specifies that “excused absences are subject to approval by the Administrator. However, the parent must notify the school concerning the absence.” 

Absences shall be considered excused when they result from: 

1. Doctor or dental appointment verified either verbally by a parent or guardian or by a student with an appointment slip or note 

2. Serious family illness or bereavement verified by a parent or guardian or by a student with parental contact or note. 

3. Religious purposes, including participating in religious exercises or instruction. A written note must be submitted to the school before the absence by the parent or guardian. Any religious instruction or exercise must take place at a suitable place away from school property designated by the church or religious denomination or group. 

4. Prearranged event whereby the parent/guardian notified the school office of the date/time of the absence and the school administration approves the absence. Note: An excessive amount of prearranged absences during a school year, however, could result in a student being placed on an attendance contract.

5. Court appearances are verified verbally by a parent or guardian or by a student with an appointment slip or note. 

6. A phone call or note or message through ClassDojo from a parent or guardian excusing the student from school is necessary to inform the school that the student is not ditching on the same day or before the day of the absence. 

7. A phone call or note or message through ClassDojo from a parent or guardian excusing the student from school is necessary to inform the school that the student is not ditching, but it’s not considered excused according to state law ARS 15-803. 

The phone call or note must contain:

• the student’s name
• date of absence
• the specific reason for the absence
• parent/guardian name or signature as applicable

8. For absences relating to illness, doctor’s appointment, bereavement, or family emergencies to be counted as excused absences, the school must be notified in advance or at the time of any absence by the parent or other person who has custody of the student per A.R.S. § 15-807(B). 

The school may require documentation from a doctor to verify medical conditions when absences total more than 10% of the number of required attendance days. The school will document the date, reason, and person reporting the absence. The documented record shall be maintained for not less than four years after the fiscal year it was created or received. 

Please note that family vacations are considered unexcused absences. 

Excessive absences are 10% or more of the school year according to ARS 15-803. 

School administrators are authorized to excuse students from school for necessary and justifiable reasons.

Unexcused Absences

Absences that do not satisfy items 1-7 above will be considered unexcused. Each ditch/ truancy represents an unexcused absence. Any absence that does not meet the state or district guidelines. 

• 3 unexcused absences will result in a staff member contacting the parent or guardian.
• Habitually truant is defined as a truant child who is truant for at least 5 unexcused absences within a school year will result in the Administration setting up a meeting with the parent or guardian to see how they can brainstorm how to best support the family to have better attendance. Administration will also be sending a letter to the parent or guardian warning of a possible truancy citation per Arizona Revised Statute A.R.S § 15-802. A citation would require that the parent or guardian appear in court and consequences may include participation in a Parent Truancy Class and program fees to attend the class. If convicted, it is a Class 3 Misdemeanor punishable by jail time and/or fine. A Class 3 Misdemeanor carries a maximum fine of $500 or up to 30 days in jail.
• 12 unexcused absences will result in staff making personal contact with the parent or guardian and the student losing field trip privileges and participation in water play day. The parent or guardian will be required to meet with Administration to see how to best support the student and family.
• 19 unexcused absences will result in a staff member hand delivering or sending a letter to the parent or guardian stating that a violation of Arizona Revised Statute A.R.S § 15-802

Illness

We recognize that under certain circumstances absence is unavoidable. If children are sick, by all means, they need to stay home. In order for an illness to be considered an excused absence you must notify the office by leaving a message on voicemail before 8:00am on each day of absence. Be sure to include your name, your child’s name, and the reason for the absence. If your child is absent for 3 consecutive days contact the teacher to determine make-up work. 

Chronic Illness

If your child has a chronic illness or disability that affects attendance, please notify the administration. A meeting with the teacher and administration is required. Please bring medical documentation of the anticipated impact on attendance of the chronic condition or disability. 

Vacation

In case of family vacations, we ask that you make every effort to schedule these during breaks. If this is simply not possible, it is imperative that you meet with your child’s teacher well before the absence to develop a plan to accommodate for missed work and that you notify the school office in writing regarding the absence. All vacations are always considered unexcused absences. If your vacation extends beyond 10 consecutive school days your child will be withdrawn from Arcadia Sky Community School and you will have to contact the administration to re-enroll your child.

Unexcused Absence

If you do not call the office and advise the school of your child’s absence he/she will be marked as an unexcused absence. Five consecutive unexcused absences will result in a meeting with an administrator. If a pattern of unexcused absence appears to be developing, a meeting will be set up with parents, the class teacher and an Administrator to address this concern. 

Attendance Warning Letters 

It is the responsibility of each student and their parents/guardians to keep track of attendance. 

Parents/guardians may call the school for attendance reports. 

Students will receive an Attendance Warning Letter for the 5th absence and/or 5th early departure/tardy per school year

Legal Issues Around Truancy/School Attendance 

Arizona State law (A.R.S. 15-803) states that it is unlawful for any child between the ages of six and sixteen to fail to attend school during the hours school is in session, unless there is a valid excuse. Please refer to the following Arizona Revised Statutes for more information: A.R.S. 15-346 Policies and procedures concerning pupils with chronic health problems; definition 15-802 School instruction; exceptions; violations; classification; definitions 15-804 Attendance officer; appointment; salary 15-804 Attendance officer; powers and duties 15-807 Absence from school; notification of parent or person having custody of pupil; immunity 15-873 Exemptions, nonattendance during outbreak Absences will affect eligibility for participation in extra-curricular activities. If a child is home ill during the day, they will not be allowed to practice, play in a game, or attend an after-school activity that day. 

Per Arizona Law (A.R.S. §15-802 (B)(1), the state of Arizona requires that all students attend school 90% of the school year. 

A student who is absent more than 10% of the instructional hours required per year is considered to have “excessive absences,” whether the absence is excused or unexcused. 

Consequences of Poor Attendance 

Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, Arcadia Sky Community School will be enforcing the consequences for poor attendance described below. These consequences do not apply to any student who has an IEP or 504 plan that includes non-standard attendance as a function of the student’s modifications. These consequences will also not apply to any student who has suffered from a medical condition or personal tragedy that has been the cause of poor attendance

The parent(s) of students with excessive absences may be considered for truancy, therefore; communication with school administration staff is important when your student is absent. 

Failure to meet this standard will lead to repeating the grade unless extenuating circumstances exist. Compliance is ultimately the responsibility of the student and his/her parents or guardians. Students, ideally, should remain in school. 

Only when absolutely necessary should they be absent, as much of the classroom activity cannot be duplicated or repeated. 

Regular attendance is the key to much of the success a student may gain from his/her school program. Definition of Absences: A student who is not seated in their assigned seat when a teacher is taking attendance will be considered absent. 

According to A.R.S. 15-803, absences may be considered excessive when the number of absent days exceeds ten percent of the number of required attendance days as prescribed in A.R.S. 15-802.B.1. Students who have 10 consecutive unexcused absences will automatically be withdrawn from Arcadia Sky Community School per Arizona Department of Education policies A.R.S. §15-901 (A)(2). After 10 consecutive unexcused absences, the student will be withdrawn unless a serious medical condition documented by a medical doctor is filed with the school.

Attendance Probation 

A mandatory parent/guardian conference will be scheduled for all students whose attendance falls below a 90% attendance rate or who have failed to rectify the challenges listed in the Attendance Warning letter. 

Days Absent Consequence  

At any point, if a student’s absences exceeds: