Attendance

Your child should attend school each day he/she is well. Every absence, even for part of a school day, interferes with your child's progress at school. Each subject is taught in sequence, which builds understanding and correct study habits. In order to be ready for new steps in learning, your child must have mastered the previous steps and be sufficiently ready to benefit from new materials.

ABSENCES
When your child is going to be absent, please call the school before 8:00 A.M. The number is 429-4565. McAuliffe School is equipped with Voice Mail so that you may leave a message between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. If you fail to contact the school, we will contact you to verify your child's absence. A written excuse must accompany your child upon returning to school stating the reason for the absence. If a rash or extended illness (more than 3 consecutive school days) has occurred, a note from the doctor may be necessary to explain the condition.

The state has established general quidelines regarding non-attendance, half day attendance and full-day attendance for Kindergarten, first grade and second through fifth grade.

Kindergarten Half-Day – Students must be in attendance at least 120 minutes to qualify for half-day attendance.  The student must arrive by 9:15 a.m. to receive credit for the day.  For early departure, the student must stay in school until 10:00 a.m. to be given attendance credit for that day. 

Kindergarten Full-Day and First Grade – Students must be in attendance for 240 instructional minutes to receive credit for a full day and 120 minutes to receive half-day credit.  Students must arrive by 9:50 a.m. to receive credit for full day attendance.  For early departure, students must stay in school until 12:40 p.m. to receive full-day credit. 

Second through Fifth Grade – Students must be in attendance for 300 instructional minutes to receive full-day credit and 150 minutes to receive half-day credit.  Students must arrive by 8:50 a.m. to receive full-day attendance credit.  For early departure, students must stay until 1:40 p.m. to receive credit for a full day of attendance. 

TARDINESS
Students are expected to arrive at school ON TIME. If your child is tardy, he/she is missing a very important part of the curriculum. Our school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. Your child needs to be in the classroom and ready to work by 8:00 a.m. If students are not in their classrooms by 8:00 a.m., they are considered tardy. If your child is going to be late, please call the school office. When you bring your child to school, you must come into the office and sign in your child.

VACATIONS
Kirby School District 140 strongly encourages families to take vacations during school non-attendance times. In the event your child will be absent from school due to a vacation, the absence will be considered unexcused. Upon their return to school, they will receive information on missed assignments and class work/homework. Any work missed due to vacations will not be included in the child’s grade average.

Teachers are not expected to re-teach material missed during the unexcused time away from school. We consider the time spent in the classroom essential to the overall educational experience. While we understand that there are occasions students must miss school due to family obligations, we ask that you help us in our mission to emphasize the value of education by making sure your child’s absence from school is kept to a minimum.