Regular attendance at school is necessary for each child to achieve maximum academic success.  Utah State Code (53A-11-101.5 Compulsory education) requires all children under the age of 14 to enroll in and attend school.  San Juan School District policy (6140.1) requires students between the ages of 6 and 18 to attend school or have an excused absence for at least 180 days of the regular school year, unless exempted.

            How to Excuse Your Child

Parents/Guardians must call or send a note no later than the day after an absence.  This notification must include:

1.       Name of child or children who were absent

2.       Date of absence(s)

3.       Reason for the absence

4.       Name of caller / signature of parent/guardian

 Acceptable Excused Absences

1.       Personal sickness

2.       Sickness or death in the family

3.       Quarantine

4.       Weather or road conditions making travel dangerous

5.        An unusual cause approved by the Principal

Five (5) or more unexcused absences, 10 excused absences, or 10 tardies in a school year will result in a Notice of Compulsory Education Violation.  A letter will be sent home encouraging parents to make sure their student attends school according to law, and this information will also be added to Student Information Systems (SIS).

 Ten (10) unexcused absences, 20 tardies, or 15 excused absences in a school year will result in notification of the San Juan School District, and a letter will be sent to parents requesting a meeting to discuss the number of absences. This information will also be added to Student Information Systems (SIS).

Fifteen(15) unexcused absences, 30 tardies, or 20 excused absences in a school year will result in notification of the San Juan School District, and a letter will be sent to parents requesting a meeting to discuss the number of absences. If the parent does not meet with school staff and the student continues to miss school, the parent will be referred to the courts for Educational Neglect.( "Educational neglect" means failure or refusal to make a good faith effort to ensure that a child receives an appropriate education, after receiving notice that the child has been frequently absent from school without good cause or that the parent has failed to cooperate with school authorities in a reasonable manner in accordance with Sections )This information will also be added to Student Information Systems (SIS).

If a student has a high number of excused absences, a meeting will be set up with parents to discuss the needs of the student and ways to improve attendance. If the student’s academic performance is affected because of excused absences, then further action will be taken as outlined above. 

Tardy/ Early check out

Being late for class or being checked out repeatedly is unacceptable. All students coming late to school must report to the office. Parents may come into the school to provide information on why the tardy has happened or they may communicate by phone call. A student that is frequently checked out of school has the same result as being absent or tardy. 

Ten (10) tardies will result in the notification of San Juan School District, and a letter will be sent home outlining ways to improve attendance.

Fifteen (15) tardies will result in the notification of San Juan School District, and a letter will be sent home requesting a meeting with parents to discuss the attendance issues. If attendance does not improve and a student continues to be late, further action will be taken and could result in a parent referral for Educational Neglect.