Attendance
State law requires that all children between the ages of 6 and 18 attend school regularly.
Procedures
1. The student day at the Jr./Sr. High starts at 7:26 and ends at 7:34. Students must be in their homerooms and seated when the 7:26 tardy bell rings.
2. When a student is absent from school, he/she should take his/her excuse, stating the exact reason for the absence, directly to the high school office, the day following an absence. If a student does not provide a legal excuse within three days of their absence, the absence will be considered illegal.
3. Parental/guardian notes for absences for any student will not be accepted after formal notices (truancy hearings) have been issued and disciplinary measures have been initiated.
4. After a third illegal absence, the student must attend a student attendance conference with their parents and the principal.
Enforcement
Students 15 years of age and younger:
a. A student is considered truant once they have accumulated 3 unexcused absences.
b. Unexcused absences for students age 15 and younger are considered illegal absences by the District. When the third illegal absence is recorded for a student, a letter will be sent to the parent/guardian to schedule a truancy elimination hearing with the principal.
c. The fourth and subsequent illegal absences will result in the student receiving a zero for any missed work, including tests, projects, papers, etc.
d. After six unexcused absences, a student age 15 and younger is considered habitually truant and will be referred to a school or community-based attendance improvement program, a county children and youth agency, and the District Magistrate.
Students older than 15:
a. A student is considered truant once they have accumulated 3 unexcused absences.
b. Students 18 and older are not covered by the Compulsory School Attendance Laws (as of school year 2020-2021). Nevertheless, all students are expected to attend school.
c. The fourth and subsequent illegal absences will result in the student receiving a zero for any missed work, including quizzes, tests, projects, papers, etc.
d. After six unexcused absences, a student age 15 and younger is considered habitually truant and will be referred to a school or community-based attendance improvement program, a county children and youth agency, and the District Magistrate.
Prior Notification
If the Attendance Officer, Mrs. Kepple, receives prior notification from a parent/guardian that a student will be out of school with an unexcused absence/illegal absence, it is possible that the student may not be considered truant; in which case, the penalties for truancy described above may be waived (Note: attendance record and grades of the requestor will be the determining factors in any such situation).
Types of Absences
Excused
a. Illness/injury/quarantine verified by a medical doctor's excuse or parental note. After 10 parental/guardian notes have been presented to verify chronic illness/injuries, the parent/guardian may be required to verify each future illness/injury with a specific written excuse from a medical doctor.
b. Death in the immediate family: "immediate family" includes a parent/guardian, a sibling, or a grandparent (or others with approval).
c. Emergency medical and dental attention.
d. Impassable roads are determined by the Director of Transportation.
e. Inclement weather.
f. Religious event.
g. Education tour (2 weeks maximum with pre-approval).
h. Family emergency (1 day maximum).
i. College visits.
Unexcused/Illegal
a. All absences not covered under "excused absences" above will be unexcused.
Half-Day/Full-Day Absences
Tardy: Late arrival between 7:26 AM and 9:00 AM
Half Day Absence (Morning): Late arrival between 9:01 AM and 11:59 AM.
Half Day Absence (Afternoon): Early dismissal between 12:00 and 1:29 PM (For early dismissals from 1:30 PM on, students will be counted present all day).
Early Dismissals
If it is necessary for a student to leave school early, a written request stating the type of appointment and/or reason for leaving and signed by a parent/guardian must be presented to the Attendance Officer in the high school office before first period begins. If the request is approved, the student will receive an early-dismissal "pink slip" stating the time to be excused. The student must present this slip to the teacher of the class involved and then the student is excused to leave for the appointment. The early dismissal slip must be signed by a doctor, dentist, etc. and returned to the Attendance Officer upon returning. Failure to do so, will result in an unexcused absence.
Vo-Tech
If a student plans to attend the full session at Butler County Vo-Tech and does not plan to ride the bus on the return trip to KC due to an appointment, they must bring an excuses signed by the parent to the attendance offices of both KCHS and the Vo-Tech; or, the student's parent can sign the student out at Butler Vo-Tech before they leave campus. Any such absence without prior notification/approval will be considered skipping and may result in disciplinary action.