General Attendance Information

Minnesota law states that all students are required to attend school from age 7, or when they enroll in kindergarten (whichever comes first) until they are 18 years old. A student's failure to attend school may lead to legal action for the parents/guardians and the student.

Please email your student's teacher of their absence(s). 

What are excused absences?

Illness

Students are allowed up to 8 total absences a year, or 3 days in a row, due to an illness. A doctor's note must be provided if your child is gone from school more than 8 total days over the school year, or 3 days in a row. Because your child's health is important to us, school staff can help your child if you do not have health insurance or cannot afford to see a doctor -please contact your school if you need help.

Doctor/Dentist Appointments

Whenever possible, please schedule doctor and dentist appointments before or after school. For those that must be scheduled during school, the appointment will be excused only upon receiving a written note from the doctor or dentist.

Religious Holidays/Cultural Observances

If your child will be gone due to a religious holiday or cultural observance, please notify the school in advance.

Funeral

Students may be gone up to 4 days a year because of a funeral. If your child will be gone more than 4 days, we ask that you get written approval for additional excused time from a teacher, social worker or principal.

Family Emergency

Students may be gone up to 3 days a year because of a family emergency. If your child will be gone more than 3 days, please obtain written approval from a social worker or principal.

Family Activities

A student may be gone up to 5 days from school for a pre-approved family activity. To get pre-approval from the school, please do the following:

• At least 10 days before leaving, request permission from the school for your child to be gone for a family activity.
• Before leaving, get your child's homework and agree that your child will finish the homework.
  
• Make sure that your student will not be gone for important tests like the MCA, NALT or MBST.
  
• Agree in writing that your child will miss no more than 5 days of school.

Family Activities, Extended

If your family activity will last more than 5 days, we ask that you obtain permission from the principal in writing before you leave. If the principal gives permission to be gone longer than 5 days, your child will be expected to turn in a school report and/or a presentation to their teacher(s).

Unexcused absences and those absences not acknowledged by note or telephone call are subject to truancy/attendance procedures. All enrolled children are subject to Minnesota's compulsory attendance laws. Schools are required to notify parents and Hennepin County Juvenile Court when a child is deemed truant.