At Pinckney Elementary, we place a strong emphasis on time on task because every minute of instruction matters. Regular attendance and arriving at school on time are essential for your child to reach his or her full academic potential. When students miss school, they miss valuable learning opportunities that are difficult to replace.

School officials are responsible for monitoring attendance and addressing patterns of excessive absences or tardiness. If attendance concerns continue, parents may be required to meet with an administrator to develop an attendance improvement plan.

Please keep the following important attendance guidelines in mind:

• All absences must be documented with a written excuse. This applies to every absence, regardless of the reason.

• Lawful excused absences include:

  • Student illness

  • Serious illness of an immediate family member

  • Death of a family member

  • School suspension

  • Recognized religious holidays

• Only 10 parent notes may be used during the school year for unexpected illnesses that do not require a doctor's visit (such as a fever or stomach virus). After 10 parent notes have been used, any additional illness-related absences must be supported by medical documentation to be considered excused.

• Unlawful absences include absences without an acceptable reason, such as family vacations, accompanying parents on trips, or other absences not approved by the school. These absences are always considered unexcused.

• Students are not guaranteed the opportunity to make up work missed during unexcused absences.

• Ten is an important number. State law allows schools to consider retention when a student accumulates 10 or more absences during the school year. In addition, truancy is defined as three consecutive unexcused absences or five unexcused absences during a school year, which can result in required attendance interventions.

We appreciate your partnership in making school attendance a priority. By ensuring your child is present and on time each day, you are giving them the best opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.