Attendance and Absences

Each student’s parents or guardians are responsible for promptly notifying the school attendance center of an expected absence. In the event of any absence, the student’s parent or guardian is required to call the school before 9 a.m. to explain the reason for the absence.
 
If the parent or guardian cannot be contacted, the student will be required to submit a signed note from the parent or guardian explaining the reason for the absence. Failure to do so shall result in an unexcused absence.
 
Upon request of the parent or guardian, the reason for an absence will be kept confidential.
 
If a child is absent from school and there is no record that such absence is for a valid cause, or that the absence has been authorized by a parent, legal guardian or other person having legal custody of the child, the building principal or his/her designee will, within two hours after the first class in which the child is enrolled, make a reasonable effort to notify the parent, legal guardian or other person having legal custody of the child of the child’s absence from school by telephoning the numbers given in accordance with Section 26-3b of the Illinois School Code.

Truancy is a serious issue and will be dealt with in a serious manner by East Aurora School District 131. East Aurora School District 131 is required to report to the Kane County Regional Office of Education and the Public Aid Office if a child has an irregular attendance pattern. East Aurora staff is committed to preventing school failure, chronic truancy and absenteeism through the many truancy prevention measures currently in place within the school district.
 
Students who miss 5 percent or more of the prior 180 regular school days without valid cause are considered chronic truants. Students who are chronic truants will be offered support services and resources aimed at correcting the truancy issue.
 
If chronic truancy persists after support services and other resources are made available, the school and district will take further action, including:

• Referral to the truancy officer
• Reporting to officials under the Juvenile Court Act
• Referral to the State’s Attorney
• Appropriate school discipline

A parent or guardian who knowingly and willfully permits a child to be truant is in violation of state law. The District recognizes a responsibility to establish and maintain an attendance program to reduce and discourage truancy in all District schools. The District considers a student who is subject to compulsory school attendance to be truant if he/she is absent for the school day or a portion of the school day without proper permission.