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Attendance Policy

Washington Community Schools is dedicated to cultivating habits of good attendance early, so that all students have the opportunity to learn and succeed in school.  The Washington Community Schools administrative team seeks to build positive partnerships with students, parents, and guardians to work together on this endeavor of building a habit of good attendance.  Communication from both ends (building administrators and parents/guardians) is important to know where students stand in regards to their accumulated absences throughout the school year.

Key definitions defined by the state of Indiana’s code on student attendance include:

  • Habitual Absence - A student who has accumulated 10 or more UNEXCUSED absences in a school year.
  • Chronic Absenteeism - Missing ten percent (10%) or more of a school year for any reason (Excused or Unexcused).  For example, a student missing 9 or more days of school (Excused or Unexcused) within a semester (½ the year) would be considered in “chronic absenteeism”

Exemptions

These are days when a student is not physically present at school but is not marked absent by the school or the state of Indiana. In most cases, documentation is required.

  • Serving as a page or honoree of the Indiana General Assembly
  • Serving on the precinct election board or as a helper to a political candidate or party on the day of a municipal, primary, or general election
  • Subpoenaed to testify in court
  • Serving as an active duty member of the armed forces, including the National Guard for at least 15 days in a school year. 
  • Serving with the Civil Air Patrol for up to 5 days. 
  • Approved educationally related non-classroom activity
  • The student or a member of the student's household exhibits or participates in the Indiana State Fair for educational purposes
  • HEA 1660 adds a new exception for students who participate in a scheduled competition, exhibition, or event offered by the National FFA, Indiana FFA, or 4-H

Excused Absences

Parent or Guardian MUST notify the school on the day of the absence. 

  • Student is ill and the parent/guardian contacts the school (up to 10 days)
  • Student is sent home by the school nurse
  • Doctor appointments or hospitalization. Medical notes must be brought to school no later than 2 days after the absence. Backdated notes will not be accepted. 
  • Doctor documented an extended illness
  • Religous holidays, practices, or events that are significant to a student's faith
  • Funeral of an immediate family member, non-immediate family member, or friend
  • Pre-arranged absences
  • Extenuating circumstances as determined by the administration
  • School-sponsored event
  • Administrative suspension

Unexcused Absences

These are any absences that do not meet the exempt or excused criteria including:

  • Truancy - Failure to report to school or be in an assigned area without permission
  • Oversleeping
  • Absence from school without parents contacting the school to verify absence
  • Leaving school without permission
  • No transportation
  • Babysitting or caring for parents

Absence Reporting Guidelines

  • Parents/Guardians MUST call in to the school by 8:00 am when a student is absent to report the reason for the absence. 
  • Beginning at 9:00 am, parents who have not contacted the school will receive an automatic notice via ParentSquare.
WASHINGTON UPPER ELEMENTARY 5-6
812 254-8363

Student Handbooks


Please review the appropriate student handbook for your child (elementary, junior high, or high school) to see how building administrators will follow a plan to notify parents/guardians when certain accumulated counts of absences have been reached through the school year.