Resources for Parents

Drop-Off & Dismissal Procedures

Winter Weather & eLearning Guidelines

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is essential for success in school. Indiana Law (I.C. 20-33-2-6) states that students between the ages of 7 and 18 years old are required to attend school. Valid absences are personal illness, death in the immediate family, exclusion by a doctor, or observance of religious holidays. Argos Community Schools complies with Indiana state laws regarding attendance and has adopted policies accordingly.

Types of Absences

EXCUSED ABSENCES are those absences recognized by state law or school policy:

1. Student illness – reported by a parent or sent home by school nurse
2. Death in the immediate familyS
3. Quarantine by a physician or health department
4. Students subpoenaed to appear in court as a witness in a judicial proceeding (I.C. 20-33-2-16)
5. Religious holidays
6. Election Worker or Legislative Page – Proper documentation required (I.C. 20-33-2-14, 15)
7. Medical Appointments/Hospitalization/Surgery – verification slip required within 3 days. Students are expected to attend school before and after appointments
8. Field trips or school-related activities, State Fair participation, College Visits
9. Any other absence pre-approved by the attendance officer or the principal

Generally, ten (10) absences documented only by a parent note are allowed. Absences with doctor’s or other appropriate documentation do not count toward the ten (10). As a result, it is highly suggested that doctor’s/court notes be provided whenever possible.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES are those not recognized by the state or school policy:

1. Failure to notify the school of the absence
2. Leaving the school building without prior permission
3. Absence without parental consent
4. Exceeding the ten (10) parent note limit
5. Fails to bring a note from parent/guardian upon returning to school
6. Truancy
7. Being absent, but being seen out later that day or evening
8. Absent because of babysitting, help at home, farming

How Many Absences Does My Child Get?

Generally, ten (10) absences documented only by a parent note are allowed. Absences with doctor’s or other appropriate documentation do not count toward the ten (10). As a result, it is highly suggested that doctor’s/court notes be provided whenever possible.

Absences beyond the ten (10) parent/guardian excused absences in a school year that are not accompanied by a written note from a physician will be considered truancies.

Absences and Extra Curricular Activities

Students who miss part of the school day due to illness must be in attendance for four (4) class periods in order to participate in school activities, athletics, extracurricular activities, or work on the same day, thus students should arrive by 11 am. Being absent on a Friday does affect Saturday participation. Students who are in attendance in the morning and leave any time during the school day, may not participate in after school activities, unless accompanied by a doctor’s note.

Who Do I Call to Report An Absence?

McKinney-Vento Act

Definition of Homeless (McKinney-Vento)

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), defines “homeless children and youth” (school age and younger) as: Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are residing in the following situations due to a due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.

Doubled up with relatives, friends, or strangers
Living in emergency or transitional shelters
Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds, or abandoned in hospitals
Living in cars, parks, public spaces, bus or train stations, or abandoned buildings
Having a primary nighttime residence that is substandard, or a public/private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations
Migratory children or youth living in circumstances described above; and/or
Unaccompanied youth, meaning youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, such as runaways and youth denied housing by their families (sometimes referred to as “throwaway” children and youth)

What do families need to know?

Children and youth experiencing homelessness have a right to attend school.
You do not need a permanent address to enroll your child in school.
Children and youth experiencing homelessness can stay in their school of origin or enroll in any public school that students living in the same attendance zone are eligible to attend, whichever circumstance proves to be in the student’s best interest.
The Liaison must provide you with a written explanation if a placement or eligibility dispute occurs. Contact your local Homeless Liaison for assistance in handling a dispute.
Your child cannot be denied school enrollment because school records or other enrollment documentation are not immediately available.
Your child may have the right to transportation services to and from the school of origin if determined in their best interest.
Your child has the right to participate in extracurricular activities and all federal, state, or local programs for which he/she is eligible.
Unaccompanied youth have these same rights. (Contact your local Homeless Liaison.)
McKinney-Vento status provides stability at the school for the duration of the school year. If housing instability continues beyond that school year, you must apply for requalification the following school year.