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Overview

All students attending preschool programs will be encouraged to have good attendance. Preschool is a great time to start building a habit of good attendance. Studies show that poor attendance in preschool can predict absenteeism in later grades. The Early Childhood Programs support families in educating their children.

Programs such as the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center (KAMSC), Kalamazoo Innovative Learning Program (KILP), and the KPS virtual program will adhere to the KPS attendance procedures. The administrators will determine what changes are needed. Any changes to the attendance procedures at the alternative programs need the superintendent's approval.

According to the State of Michigan Compulsory Attendance law, a parent, legal guardian, or other person having control or charge of a child age six to sixteen is required to send the child to school during the entire school year, except under the limited circumstances specified in subsection (3) of section 380.1561. The exceptions include, but are not limited to, sending the child to a state-approved, nonpublic school or educating the child at home in an organized educational program.

Although the compulsory school attendance law does not apply to children under the age of six, a child who is at least five years old by September 1 of the school year and is a resident of a school district that provides kindergarten classes is entitled to enroll in kindergarten [MCL 380.1147]. The district's goal is for all students to be in school every day. Building administrators, in collaboration with staff members, will develop a process for acknowledging students with excellent and improved attendance in each school.

The district's goal is for all students to be in school every day. Building administrators, in collaboration with staff members, will develop a process for acknowledging students with excellent and improved attendance in each school.

For students to get the most out of school, punctual and regular attendance is vital. Parents/guardians should call the school office as early as possible on the day of an absence. It is most helpful to have the phone call within the first hour of school. In addition, parents/guardians should provide a written excuse and request homework for any absences, thus making the absence excused; without communication, the absence is considered unexcused. When a student is absent, they are responsible for making up work. Any day a child is absent and an appropriate contact with the school office is not made by the parent/guardian, attempts will be made to contact the parent/guardian.

Administrators will allow the following excuses for an absence (EA):
● Student illness and/or appointment verified by the parent/guardian or medical professional.
● Medically verified extended illness or hospitalization.
● Attending a funeral.
● Religious holiday.
● Absence due to a subpoenaed court appearance.
● Any time missed due to KPS school transportation issues.

Schools will record an “SF” for school activity when the following:
● Participation in a school-sponsored field trip, early dismissal for curricular, co-curricular or extra-curricular activity, choir, band, debate, forensics, and other school functions.
● Time spent in an administrative-level office, if called to the office by an administrator.
● A guidance office appointment if the appointment was pre-arranged or if the counselor calls the student to the guidance office.

Students will be given an opportunity to complete missed assignments, tests, and classwork. The school will also assist students with planned absences. Parents/guardians must submit a written request to the principal at least one week in advance. Arrangements will be made for the student to complete classroom assignments during their planned absence. Absences will be considered unexcused unless they fall under the criteria listed above.

When the absence from school is expected to be for an extended period due to physical disability or illness, parents should make homebound arrangements by working with their doctor and contacting Student Services at (269) 337-0161.

Students need to stay home if:

  • they have a temperature of 100.0 or higher, achy body, tiredness, headache
  • they are vomiting and/or have diarrhea
  • they have an untreated eye infection; redness, itching, and/or pus draining from the eye
  • they have been in the hospital; hospital stay within the past 24 hours; emergency room visit
  • they have the flu; achy body, tiredness, headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose

Students are ready to go back to school when:

  • they are fever-free for 24 hours without the assistance of medication
  • they are free from vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours
  • they are free from rash, itching, and/or drainage. 
  • they are released by a medical provider to return to school

If your child has strep throat or another bacterial infection, he/she should stay home for at least 24 hours until the antibiotic has been given and your healthcare provider has given your child permission to return to school. We encourage you to seek medical attention when your child is sick and to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations about returning to school and other activities.

Please note: For outbreaks or unusual clusters of disease, guidance from Health and Community Services will be followed. Please review the guidance from Kalamazoo County on communicable diseases.

Parent notification will be provided in the form of a robo call or written letter after the first 3 absences. (Documentation will be kept by school staff if absence is excused or unexcused.) In-person or virtual conferences will be required after 5 absences and must be documented. A recommendation must be made to the school’s attendance team after the 10th absence. The attendance team will be responsible for creating a plan of support (district document). On the 15th, total absence from school, the student must be referred to the central office attendance team. The central office attendance team will make recommendations based on each student’s unique situation.

Building teams will use a variety of resources to assist students with their attendance. Attendance committees must meet at least once a month. The resources may include: home support specialist, behavioral specialist, secretary, attendance support staff, principals, mentors, psychologist, Community Mental Health workers, academic specialist, paraprofessional, school nurse, Pathways to Potential, or Gryphon Place. Staff will document the contact made to the home in PowerSchool. The school, parents and student must take ownership of the importance of attending school each day.

The building administrator will determine which student absences constitute a referral to the court system. Students with excessive unexcused absences will receive written notification every six weeks. Students with poor attendance records may face mandatory summer school or grade-level retention