Definition of Unexcused Absence: The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office identifies reason which a court would not find as “lawful absences,” as including:

• Absences without parental permission and/or administrative approval.
• Arrival more than 5 minutes late to class (hours 2-6).
• Oversleeping or missing the bus/ride.
• Failure to follow the proper procedures when leaving the school building. (See procedures for leaving the school building in the student handbook.)
• Babysitting
• Work at a business, except under a school-sponsored work release program.
• Any other absence not included under the attendance procedures.

On the first unexcused absence in a trimester:

• The student will not be allowed to make up work missed due to such absence.
• Parent or guardian will be notified by phone or by mail that subsequent unexcused absence will result in incremental grade reduction.
  Example: Unexcused absence #2 = B to B-; Unexcused absence #3 = B- to C=, etc.
• The student or his/her parent/guardian will be urged to contact school officials regarding the student’s absences and the prescribed consequences.
• If, through excessive absence, the student loses the ability to pass the class, he/she maybe removed from the class and placed in a study hall.
• Students who believe they have extenuating circumstances should request a conference with an administrator.

All unexcused absences turn to truant absences and truancy petitions will be filed with the Hennepin County Juvenile Court system for students under 18 years old with ongoing truancy problems

Minnesota State law requires the reporting of all students who consistently truant school and are under the age of 18.

Minnesota law requires us to withdraw any student after 15 consecutive absences regardless of reason.

ALL UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL TURN TO TRUANT ABESNCES IF NOT CLEARED WITHIN 5 DAYS OF THE ABSENCE.

The authority to decide whether an absence is excused or unexcused rests with the building principal. There are no authorized skip days.