BLOOMINGTON

HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH

Excused Absences

Exceptions to the Compulsory Attendance Act are set forth by law. Said exceptions specifically authorized include:

1. Excused absences for the student, which do not count against the school’s attendance rates:

a. Required court attendance. When subpoenaed to appear in court in a judicial proceeding. The student excused from school attendance under this subsection shall not be recorded on the records as being absent on any day for which the excuse is operative, nor shall the student be penalized by the school in any manner.

b. Observance of a bona fide religious holiday.

c. Service as a page in the General Assembly or when invited to appear as an honoree of the General Assembly. Each day of such service or appearance shall count as attendance at school.

d. Active duty with the Indiana National Guard. Secondary school students who are ordered to active duty with the Indiana National Guard shall not be recorded absent or penalized by the school in any manner. Such exemption shall not exceed ten (10) days in a school year.

e. Service on a precinct election board or as a helper for a political candidate. Secondary school students who serve on the precinct election board or as a helper to a political candidate or to a political party on the date of each general, city, town, special and primary election at which the student works. Prior to the date of the election, the student must submit a document signed by one of his parents or guardian giving him permission to participate in the election and the student must verify to school authorities the performance of services by submitting a document signed by the candidate, political party chairman, campaign manager, or precinct officer. The document must generally describe the duties of the student on the date of the election. The student excused from school attendance under this subsection shall not be recorded on the records as being absent on any day for which the excuse is operative, nor shall the student be penalized by the school in any manner.

f. College visit. A junior or senior may have up to two college visits and such visits shall not be counted as absences against the student. These need to be scheduled one week in advance through the attendance office.

g. Absences that are medically documented as due to a physical or mental condition that has resulted in a 504 classification. (Refer to “other excessive absences” section below).

h. Participation in out of class, school sanctioned activities. Student make-up work should be handled in the same manner as an excused absence as outlined B6 above.

2. Excused absences for the student which do count against the school’s attendance rates (this includes absences up to ten [10] days for which a parent phone call or note is received within twenty-four [24] hours of the absence) include:

i. Illness
j. Out of School Suspensions
k. Recovery from accident
l. Professional appointments
m. Death in the immediate family
n. Such other good cause as may be acceptable by to the principal or designee or permitted by law. Such determination shall be made on a case by case basis. Such absences will not be excused after ten (10) days or if a “One Day Legal Notice” has been filed.

Every effort will be made to notify parents in writing of absences that reach the five (5) day total, including excused absences. This will be sent as a general notice letter after 5 days and again after 10.

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