Attendance

According to Minnesota State law, children must attend school regularly. If your child will be late or out for any portion of the day due to illness, vacation, or any other reason, please report the absence to the office as soon as possible. Absences can be reported 24/7.

*Very Important: If your child arrives late to school, they must go to the office to check in and receive a pass. Students leaving school early must also check out through the main office.

If your student will be:

• OUT ALL DAY: Please use one of the above methods to report the absence in a timely manner.
• LEAVING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY: Use one of the above methods to report the absence, stating the reason and time you will be picking them up from school. Make sure this is done first thing in the morning. They will receive a pass to dismiss them from class and go to the office to sign out at the designated time on the note. If your student returns during the school day, they will need to sign back in at the office.
• ARRIVING LATE: Your student must come in through the office and sign in. If this is an excused late arrival, use one of the methods listed above or bring in a doctor’s note to excuse.

For a last-minute appointment or cancellation, please call the attendance line at (952) 491-8106 as soon as possible so we can get notice to the student with the least amount of classroom disruption.

Family vacations/personal reasons are limited to five (5) school days per school year – this includes college/military visits and testing. The Extended Family Vacation Form must be completed and approved by the Assistant Principal or designee prior to the scheduled vacation.

Extended Vacation Petition Form

Attendance Policy (grades 9-12)

(Per Semester)

At Westonka High School, a student with two (and five) unexcused absences from the same class will receive a notice stating that they have two (and five) unexcused absences. If the student reaches eight unexcused absences, they will be dropped from the class and be assigned to a student prep period. Missing class 10 or more minutes is considered an absence. Parents/guardians will be notified when their student has two (and five) unexcused absences in a class.

If a student reaches 12 total absences (excused and/or unexcused), they will not receive credit for the class and will be assigned to a student prep period. Students/parents will receive notification when a student reaches six and nine total absences. Please notify your school counselor if there are extenuating circumstances, which may result in absences or 12 or more. Any absences beyond the number allowed will require documentation from a medical professional to be excused.

Attendance Policy (grade 8)

Eighth grade attendance issues are handled by teams of teachers, counselors, and administrators. They will work with students on an individual basis to find solutions for attendance concerns. Parents/guardians will be directly involved in resolving 8th grade attendance problems. Note: Most of the attendance requirements are required of our 8th grade students as well including - being in school, limit of five days for vacation time, etc. Any absences beyond the number allowed will require documentation from a medical professional to be excused.