Attendance Policy & Procedures

Daily attendance is essential for academic growth and development.  Regular daily attendance is the responsibility of the parent and student.  Students are expected to comply with Indiana’s Compulsory Attendance statute (IC 30-33-2) which requires students to attend school.  Communication regarding attendance between home and school is essential to student success.

Reporting

Parents/Guardians are to report the absence of their child to the school on the day of the absence.  In the event of a single absence, a written, verbal, or electronic statement of the cause will be accepted.

*Please note that the school reserves the right to verify any attendance claims and investigate prolonged, repeated, or unexplained absences.

Excused Absences

Students are expected to be in school except for the following reasons with documentation:

A. Illness verified by notification from the parent (by phone, written, or electronic communication) *The school reserves the right to verify such statements and to investigate the cause of each in the event of prolonged, repeated, or unexplained absences before excusal.  

After 10 parent/guardian-reported excused absences, medical documentation from a doctor or documentation for one of the excused reasons listed below will be required in order to excuse the absence. 

Medical documentation will be required to excuse 3 or more consecutive absences.

B. Illness verified by a note from a physician

C. Recovery from accident verified by a note from a physician or documented by medical records

D. Required court attendance by subpoena or court order

E. Professional appointments – Parents are encouraged to schedule medical, dental, legal, and other necessary appointments other than during school hours. When appointments are necessary during the school day, the student shall report back to school immediately after the appointment with a signed statement from the doctor, dentist, lawyer, counselor, etc., as applicable

 F. Death in the immediate family or of a relative 

 G. Observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday verified by a note from the parent

 H. Maternity leave following the birth of the student's child or pregnancy complications verified by a note from a physician or documented by medical records

 I. Military-connected families’ absences related to deployment and return

 J. Vacation during the school year requested by the student's parent and approved by the Principal

 K. Such other good cause as may be acceptable to the Superintendent or permitted by law

Pre-Arranged Absence Request

The MSD of Decatur Township requests that families schedule vacations at times when school is not in session to avoid student absences. The granting of pre-arranged absences is not intended for additional vacation days to the school year, but rather for unavoidable absences or once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The request form or school online form must be completed fully by the parent/guardian and submitted to the principal at least one week prior to the absence. Pre-arranged absences will not be approved within state-mandated testing windows. The student's attendance record will be reviewed and considered by the Principal as a determining factor in the decision. Pre-arranged absences will be approved or denied based on this guidance at the principal's discretion. The principal or designated administrator will communicate to the parents/guardians. If approved, the absence will be considered excused, but the days missed will still count toward the total number of absences for the school year. The student and/or parent is responsible for reaching out to the teacher(s) for make-up work to be completed. A copy of this form will be filed in the student's permanent record. 

Pre-Arranged Absence Form 2025-2026

Exempt Absences

Exceptions to compulsory attendance that shall be recognized by the District as provided by State statute are:

A. service as a page or honoree of the general assembly (I.C. 20-33-2-14);
 

B. service on a precinct election board or helper to a political candidate or a political party on the date of an election (I.C. 20-33-2-15);
 

C. subpoena to appear in court as a witness in a judicial proceeding (I.C. 20- 33-2-16);
 

D. service in active duty with the National Guard for not more than ten (10) days (I.C. 20-33-2-16);
 

E. participating as a member of the Indiana wing of the Civil Air Patrol for not more than five (5) days (I.C. 20-33-2-17.2);
 

F. exhibiting or participating in the Indiana State Fair for educational purposes by a student or member of the student’s household for not more than five (5) school days provided that the student is in good academic standing as determined by the District, the student's parent has requested the absence in writing, and the school principal has provided written approval for the absence (I.C. 20-33-2-17.7);
 

G. participating in an educationally related non-classroom activity that is consistent with and promotes the educational philosophy and goals of the District and the State Board of Education, facilitates the attainment of specific educational objectives, is part of the goals and objectives of an approved course or curriculum, represents a unique educational opportunity, cannot reasonably occur without interrupting the school day, and is approved in writing by the school principal (I.C. 20-33-2-17.5).

For any of these exceptions a student shall not be recorded as absent from school.

Additionally, the Board shall allow a student to attend a school for religious instruction that is conducted by a church, an association of churches, or an association that is organized for religious instruction and/or incorporated under Indiana law for not more than 120 minutes per week for the student to receive religious instruction if the student's parent makes a written request for such absence to the school principal and the school principal approves that request, as provided in Board Policy 5223 - Released Time for Religious Instruction. A student who is receiving religious instruction as indicated herein shall not be recorded as absent from school.

Unexcused Absences

An unexcused absence is any absence not covered under the definition of excused absence or an exception to compulsory attendance. An out-of-school suspension shall not be considered an unexcused absence.

Attendance Interventions to Prevent Truancy and Chronic Absenteeism

Schools will implement the following interventions to prevent truancy and chronic absenteeism. Truancy is an absence from school that is not an excused absence as stated above. Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% or more of a school year for any reason and is based on total absences, including excused and unexcused absences. The goal of these interventions is to work collaboratively to ensure good attendance and success for each student.

Tardy Policy

Students are expected to arrive at school each day on time. Any student who arrives at school 10 minutes after the start of school (school bell) is considered tardy.  

Excessive tardiness is a serious matter. The school accepts the responsibility of helping develop good character habits in its students. Chronic tardiness is a detriment to the establishment of such habits and, therefore, cannot be condoned. Students may receive disciplinary action for repeated tardiness to a class.  Should student tardiness persist after interventions, a discipline referral to the Principal or Assistant Principal may be made. 

Make-up Work (homework)

Make-up work may only receive credit if it is completed in a time equal to the number of the days absent.  For example, if a student is absent for two days, they have two days to make it up unless a different due date is arranged with the classroom teacher. 

Updated July 2025