Date:  ________________

Student Name:  ____________________________                                          

 Attendance Center:  ______________________

Parent/Guardian:  ___________________________

I, _________________________ (Parent/Guardian) am requesting accommodation for my child,__________________________(Student Name) to participate in remote learning opportunities for the duration of the declared public emergency, or until I have determined my child can safely return to traditional in-person learning at his/her designated attendance center, whichever occurs first. 

I have attached to this form documentation from an Iowa Board of Medicine-licensed medical professional confirming that remote learning is medically necessary due to the vulnerable health condition of my child or of a family member residing within the same home as my child.

I understand that the district will do their utmost to accommodate my child’s learning needs, but that some learning opportunities may need to be modified in a remote environment.  The provision of special education and accommodations for students who have individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans will be determined by each respective IEP or Section 504 team.  

I understand that in order for my child to continue to participate in mandatory learning, his/her remote attendance will be taken, assessments administered, and grades will be counted toward my child’s cumulative grade average.  I understand that any devices, technology, or materials given to my child to facilitate remote learning are the property of the district and must be returned at the end of the remote learning period. 

I am requesting that remote learning opportunities begin on ______________ (date) and continue until

[_____________(date) or the declared public emergency is dismissed].

(Parent/Guardian) ____________________________________

(Date) ________________

Request approved by: __________________________________  (School official)             _____________________

(Date) ________________

Note:  This form is to be utilized by parents/guardians of a student who, during the course of a declared public emergency, believe that further attendance by the student at traditional in person school would be detrimental to the health or safety of the student or the student’s family member residing with the student.  This form is not necessary when the school building is closed to traditional in person learning and remote learning opportunities are already available to students.  It is only to be utilized during a public emergency declared by state or local officials when traditional in person learning continues to be held. 

 

Daily, punctual attendance is an integral part of the learning experience.  The education that goes on in the classroom builds from day to day and absences can cause disruption in the educational progress of the absent student. Irregular attendance or tardiness by students not only limits their own studies, but also interferes with the progress of those students who are regular and prompt in attendance.  Attendance is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation and communication among students, parents and the school. 

This regulation is divided into two sections: Section I addresses legal requirements related to chronic absenteeism and truancy and Section II addresses additional academic, disciplinary and extracurricular consequences students face due to chronic absenteeism and truancy.  It is important for students to recognize that chronic absenteeism and truancy impacts all these facets of their educational experience.

SECTION I – Legal Requirements 

Chronic Absenteeism

When a student meets the threshold to be considered chronically absent, the school official will send notice by mail or e-mail to the county attorney where the district’s central office is located.  The school official will also notify the student, or if a minor, the student’s parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian via certified mail that includes information related to the student’s absences from school and the policies and disciplinary processes associated with additional absences. 

School Engagement Meeting

If a student is absent from school for at least fifteen percent of the hours in the grading period, the school official will attempt to find the cause of the absences and start and participate in a school engagement meeting. All of the following individuals must participate in the school engagement meeting:

• The student;
• The student’s parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian if the student is an unemancipated minor; and
• A school official.

The purpose of the meeting is to understand the reasons for the student’s absences and attempt to remove barriers to the student’s ongoing absences; and to create and sign an absenteeism prevention plan.  

Absenteeism Prevention Plan

The absenteeism prevention plan will identify the causes of the student’s absences and the future responsibilities of each participant.  The school official will contact the student and student’s parent/guardian at least once per week for the remainder of the school year to monitor the performance of the student and the student’s parent/guardian under the plan.  If the student and student’s parent/guardian do not attend the meeting, do not enter into a plan or violate the terms of the plan, the school official will notify the county attorney.

SECTION II – Academic and Disciplinary Requirements

Students are required to be in attendance, pursuant to board policy, for  1080    hours per school year unless their absences have been excused for illness (absences of three or more consecutive days due to illness requires a doctor's note), family emergencies, funerals, doctor or dental appointment, recognized religious observances and school sponsored or approved activities.  Reasonable excuses may also include family trips or vacations.  Absences that do not fall within the categories listed above will be considered unexcused unless approved by the principal.  Parents are expected to telephone the school office to report a student's absence prior to 8:15   a.m. on the day of the absence.  

Students who are absent without a reasonable excuse may be assigned to supervised study hall, detention, early bird school, Saturday school, in-school suspension, structured WIN time, extracurricular consequences, or other appropriate disciplinary sanction up to loss of class credit.  

School work missed because of absences must be made up within two times the number of days absent, not to exceed 5 school days.  The time allowed for make-up work may be extended at the discretion of the classroom teacher and will follow the district's homework and assessment policy.

 

I.C. Iowa Code
Iowa Code  § 294.4    Teachers - Daily Register
Iowa Code  § 299       Compulsory Education

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code
281 I.A.C. 12.3           Administration

C.F.R. - Code of Federal Regulations
28 C.F.R. 35               Judicial - Disability - Nondiscrimination
34 C.F.R. Pt. 300       Education - Disabilities/Children/Assistance to States

Approved                          
Reviewed      7/15/2024    
Revised         7/15/2024