Attendance Plan

Brookwood Elementary Attendance Plan

2023-2024 Attendance Goal: At the end of each trimester, at least 65% of students will have attended school at least 95% of the time, making them On Track for graduation based on student attendance as an early warning sign, as measured by Data Dashboard.

All students with three or fewer absences at the end of each trimester will receive an invitation to attend an Attendance Celebration. Students who meet our overall goal of having no more than 9 absences in the year will receive an attendance award at the end of the school year. Excused as well as unexcused absences will count toward the 9 absences allowed in a year.

School attendance is very important. Every absence from school interferes with your child’s opportunity to learn. There is a growing body of research showing that Chronic Absenteeism, usually defined by researchers as missing 10% or more of the school year (including excused and unexcused absences), has a significant negative effect on student achievement and may put a student at academic risk.

School Success Goes Hand in Hand with Being in School Every Day! Did You Know?

Many absences, even in kindergarten, can cause children to fall behind in school.
Missing just a day or two every month can make it harder to learn to read by the third grade.
Students with too many absences struggle to catch up, even with take-home assignments.
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves.

What Can You Do?

Develop a regular bedtime and morning routine.
Avoid missing school unless a child is truly sick and seek help if chronic illness is a challenge. Check with our district nurse or office staff if you are not sure about when to keep your child at home due to illness.
If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school support staff, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.

Communication of Absences to the School

Parents and students are jointly responsible for regular attendance at school. All absences are considered unexcused until the parent communicates with the school regarding the student’s absence, and the absence is resolved by the school staff. Parents must excuse each day of their student’s absence by calling the attendance line at 801-826-7913.

Scheduled Pre-Approved Leave includes: an illness, which may be either mental or physical, regardless of whether the school-age child or parent provides documentation from a medical professional; mental or behavioral health of the school-age child; a family death; an approved school activity; an absence permitted by a school age minor’s individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan; or any other valid excuse approved by the local school board.

Students with valid excused absences will be expected to complete make-up work, however it is their responsibility to obtain the make-up work from their teachers. Students with unexcused absences may be able to make-up work subject to approval by the principal.
- A student’s academic grade should not be penalized for absences or tardies.

Teachers will be responsible for providing students with make-up work (upon request) and identifying a reasonable deadline for completion.

Procedure for Education/Vacation Leave

Scheduled Pre-approved Education Leave is considered a valid excused absence. A student may be allowed up to ten (10) days for education leave in a given school year, if prior arrangements have been made with the school for the student to make up his/her homework. An education leave form shall be provided to the school administration in advance of the education leave. Additional days for education leave are subject to approval by the School Performance Director. Keep in mind though that excused vacation days still count toward the school goal of missing 9 or fewer days per school year.

Unexcused Absence: Any absence without a valid excuse. Students with unexcused absences may be able to make-up work subject to approval by the principal.

Standard Notification Schedule

# of Unexcused Days Absent

3-5

Parent Phone Call or Email – Office Staff will call parent indicating student has missed three days of school and document the date of communication in Skyward. Office Staff will inquire if the student is doing okay, express concern, and ask what the school can do to support the student in completing work while absent and not falling behind.

6-8

Inquiry Letter 1 – Office Staff will call the parent explaining that the student has missed six days of school and reminding the parent of the importance of regular school attendance. Office Staff will document the date of communication in Skyward. Office Staff will send Letter 1 through regular mail and document date of communication in Skyward. Student is considered for interventions.

9-11

Inquiry Letter 2 – Office Staff will call the parent explaining that the student has missed 9 days of school and reminding the parent of the importance of regular school attendance. Office Staff will document the date of communication in Skyward. Office Staff will send Letter 2 through regular mail and document date of communication in Skyward. If student is considered for interventions, call parents directly and document in Skyward. A referral is then made to the school Student Support Team and the school psychologist/social worker will conduct a Functional Behavior Assessment of Absenteeism and Truancy (FBAAT) *Parent consent required* Place student in intervention or review intervention already in place. Collect and review intervention and attendance data (4 week period).

Letter 3 Sent Certified Mail- Schedule district conference with Responsive Services Department administrator, Chanci Loran. The conference will include the school administrator, family and student. Office Staff will send Letter 3 certified mail and document the date sent in Skyward. Student completes Reasons for Chronic Absenteeism (RCA) with school Support Staff *Parental consent required* Collect and review intervention and attendance data (3 week period).

Plan of Action

Preventative Activity	Evaluation: How will implementation progress be measured?	Person Responsible
Participate in Attendance Awareness:	Post monthly articles on the website from resources like attendanceworks.org. Weekly reminders of the importance of school attendance.	Michelle Brunson Meredith Mentzer Corrie Barrett
Publicize the importance of attendance:	Weekly attendance message sent to parents via teacher’s Friday email.	Corrie Barrett All Teachers
Make attendance data public:	Publish data on Parent Square at the end of each trimester.	Michelle Brunson
Utilize attendance incentives:	Brookwood’s Golden Attendance Award will be given to one class each week via drawing. There will be a monthly drawing for one class to spin for a special prize. End of trimester activity for all students with three or fewer absences (including excused and unexcused absences). End of year attendance award for students who have 9 or fewer absences for the year (including excused and unexcused absences).	Michelle Brunson All SEL Staff
Relational Strategies:	Attendance Check-In/Check-Out PBIS System for identified students. More frequent calls home to see how we can assist parents in getting their child to school. Educating parents about school anxiety and how we can be a support to getting their child to school.	Michelle Brunson All SEL Staff

Brookwood Elementary