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Attendance

Why is Attendance Important? 

Attendance at South Middle School is important. The more your student is with us, the more opportunities they have to be successful, lifelong learners. We know that issues may arise where your student cannot be with us, but absences over 10 days are not permitted by Wisconsin State Statute.  

Research shows that students who improve their attendance by just 5 days a year, have higher achievement in Reading, English, and Math. Additionally, students who miss more than 10 days in a school year are 20% less likely to graduate on time.  

Being present at South allows our staff to provide your student support and services to help them be successful in school and beyond. 

Excused Absences 

Some absences are valid and are considered excusable. A parent/guardian must notify South Middle School in advance or upon the student’s return to school for the absence to be excused.  Since students move classrooms each period, this includes reporting absences for all or part of the day. These absences are then marked excused in the student’s record. 

  • Personal Illness  

  • Medical or professional appointments   

  • Medical notes from a provider will not count towards the ten excused days. 

  • Illness in the immediate family   

  • Funeral  

  • Religious holiday  

  • Family trips-prior administrative approval required  

  • Professional or court appointments   

  • Serious personal or family crisis  

  • Special circumstances which are approved by building administration.  

How to Report an Excused Absence 

Per the ECASD Family Handbook, parents/guardians are expected to report student absences. If after 48 hours no excuse is provided, the absence will be considered unexcused. Absences can be reported in one of three ways: 

  1. Contact the South Attendance Line by calling 715-852-5200 

  1. Excuse students through Skyward Family Access. 

  1. Provide written verification of the absence when your student returns to school 

Unexcused Absence 

Unexcused absences occur when there is no communication within 48 hours about why your student missed school. Absences without a medical note or note from a professional provider beyond 10 excused days are also considered unexcused.  

  • After 5 unexcused absences (all or part of a day), we will invite you to meet with us to collaborate and develop a plan to improve your student’s attendance. A continuum of support exists to assist you and your student in being successful.  

  • Should unexcused absences continue, the school attendance officer may pursue truancy.   

 

Habitual Truancy 

A student is considered habitually truant if they miss a total of five (5) full or partial days without a valid excuse during a school semester. The school attendance officer has the authority to reject excuses that do not appear to be valid. The school will schedule a meeting with the parent/guardian to discuss ways to improve attendance. For more details, see ECASD Attendance Policy. 

Your student is considered truant if: 

  • They are absent for all or part of the school day and you, as the parent/guardian, have not contacted the school with an excuse noted under the list of excused absences. 

  • They attend school irregularly but often enough that they are not in violation of the Wisconsin State Laws that require students to attend school. 

 

Attendance Improvement Actions 

Per the ECASD Family Handbook, the school attendance officer shall have the authority to initiate any of the following actions to secure student or family compliance with the compulsory attendance law: 

1. Provide family notification of absences or truancies/habitual truancy as required by law. 

2. Request family conferences regarding truancies or attendance problems, i.e., AIMS meetings. 

3. Assign in school detention for truancy. 

4. Make referrals for evaluation. 

5. Make referrals to the district attorney and/or courts provided each of the following actions have been complied with prior to initiating legal proceedings: 

a. When part or all of 5 days have been unexcused, a letter will be sent to schedule an Attendance Improvement Meeting (AIM).  At this meeting the DHS Truancy Program will be offered to the student/family.  If the family does not attend the meeting, the student may be issued a citation by the Eau Claire County Juvenile Intake Worker, pursuant to the Eau Claire County Code of Ordinances, Section 9.95. 

b. Upon the seventh occurrence of truancy, the school may make a referral to the Eau Claire County Juvenile Intake Worker. 

c. The Eau Claire County Juvenile Intake Worker may issue a citation to the student. 

d. The Eau Claire County Juvenile Intake Worker may also issue a citation to a parent or parents for contributing to the truancy pursuant to Eau Claire County Code Section 9.95.020. If a citation is issued to a parent, it shall include court costs. 

e. There may be other sanctions associated with a truancy citation.  See Eau Claire County Code of Ordinances Sec. 9.95.040 & 9.95.050. 

  

The School District is working closely with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Assistant District Attorney’s office to support students/families with truancy concerns. The Systems of Care program may be utilized to support students and families in need of additional school and community support, with the goal of improving school attendance and preventing Court involvement.  Students can earn incentives, such as gift cards for regular attendance and passing grades.  In addition, students will work with a mentor who can coach them in meeting their goals. Please talk to your school attendance officer with any questions regarding these programs or attendance concerns.   

 

Tips to Improve Attendance 

  • Help your child develop daily routines such as going to bed and waking up on time, setting an alarm clock, and picking out clothes the night before. 

  • Try to schedule dental and medical appointments outside of the school day whenever possible. The student should attend class the remainder of the school day. 

  • Keep your child home ONLY if they are truly sick. Headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety. Talk with your child about stress or other concerns. 

  • Watch academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Children who are falling behind sometimes have anxiety and want to skip school. 

  • Make sure teachers know how to contact you to discuss any concerns. 

  • Ask for help from school staff, after-school programs, other parents, or community agencies if you are having trouble getting your child to school on time. 

  • Ask to meet with the school counselor, school nurse, school psychologist, or school social worker to talk about concerns. 

  • Contact the ECASD Homeless Program Coordinator and learn what resources are available. 

If you have any questions about attendance, please contact South’s Attendance Team.