To report your child’s absence and the reason, call the school before the start of class on the day of the absence. Attendance is taken for all students daily.
If your child is unable to attend school, please call your school attendance line to report the absence and the reason, before the start of the school day. Please ensure you call even if your child is missing only part of the day (for example, to attend a doctor’s appointment). Please call each day your child is absent.
Students who are absent will not be allowed to attend or participate in after-school activities on the day of their absence. If your child misses more than six days in a trimester, a note from the doctor can be required before the absence is excused. If notes from the doctor are not received, your child could be considered truant. Please restrict vacations and other nonessential absences to days when school is not in session.
School Hours
Early Release Days
District 54 releases children early for staff development every Wednesday, beginning the first week of school. By dismissing students 30 minutes early on Wednesdays and having staff members continue working for an extra hour, 90 minutes a week can be devoted to enhancing instructional practices. In addition, students will not have school in the afternoons on September 20 and November 8, 2023; and February 16 and May 22, 2024, so that staff can participate in in-service meetings. Early childhood classes do not meet on half days.
Tardies/Truancy
Unexcused tardies are not permitted. Tardiness is a form of truancy. If a child is repeatedly late or is absent many days, district officials will work with local law enforcement agencies and the Cook County Regional Office of Education and use conferences, counseling and tutoring to improve student attendance. Truancy Policy
Picking up children during the day
If your child is being picked up before the end of the school day, please send a note to the school office. Students will be released only to their parents, guardians or other emergency contacts, unless prior arrangements have been made by their parents or guardians. Individuals picking up children should bring a photo ID. Come into the school office and sign your child out at the pre-arranged pick-up time. Students will meet you in the school office.
Before & After School Supervision
As a general rule, there will be no supervisors until the first bus arrives, which is about 5 minutes before school starts. Supervision ends after the last bus departs, which is about 5 to 10 minutes after school ends. The only exception is if the school or staff member hosts an activity before or after school hours, or asks your child to come early or stay late. Then that staff member is responsible for supervising your child. Have children arrive 5 minutes before school starts and leave immediately after it ends. For their safety, students are not to use the playground before or after school due to the lack of supervision.
Home and Hospital Instruction
Families may request home or hospital instruction when a doctor anticipates that a student will be unable to attend school for two or more consecutive weeks or be absent on an ongoing intermittent basis due to a medical condition. Homebound services may be provided virtually for the safety of the staff, student and family. Call your principal for information.
