Attendance Counts!
Attend Today - Achieve Tomorrow
Vermilion Parish Attendance Policy
Attendance helps to foster an attitude of responsibility and is essential to the instructional program. A student not yet 18 years of age comes under Louisiana Law, Act 109 of 1964, LA RS 17:221, which states that the parent/guardian is responsible for the student’s regular attendance in school and can be held accountable by the courts if a referral becomes necessary. A student is considered to be in attendance when he/she is physically present at a school site or is participating in an authorized school activity and is under the supervision of authorized personnel. This includes students who are homebound, assigned to and participating in drug rehabilitation programs or participating in school-authorized field trips.
A student is considered to be in attendance based on the following percentage of attendance at school during an instructional day: 25% or less than or equal to 50% (26% to 50%) = ½ day attendance; more than 50% (51% to 100%) = full day attendance.
The following are guidelines for absenteeism. All absences are classified as follows:
Non-Exempted, Excused Absence(s)
Absences incurred due to personal illness or serious illness in the family (documented by acceptable excuses, including a parental note) which are not considered for purposes of truancy, but which are considered when determining whether or not a student is eligible to make up work and tests, receive credit for work completed, and receive credit for a course and/or school year completed.
Exempted Excused Absence(s)
Absences which are not considered for purpose of truancy and which are not considered when determining whether or not a student is eligible to make up work and tests, receive credit for work completed, and receive credit for a course and/or school year completed. These are absence(s) with doctor’s excuse (returned within three days of absence), and/or other special reasons as authorized by the principal. An excused absence allows a student to make up work for the days missed.
Unexcused Absence(s)
Any absence(s) not meeting the requirements set forth in the excused absence and extenuating circumstances definitions, including but not limited to absences due to any job (including agriculture and domestic services, even in their own homes for their own parents or tutors) unless it is part of an approved instructional program. Students shall be given failing grades in those days missed and shall not be given an opportunity to make up work. Suspension
A non-exempted absence in which a student is allowed to make up his work and is eligible for consideration for credit provided it is completed satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The absence is considered when determining whether or not a student may or may not be promoted, but is not considered for purpose of truancy. Students absent from school as a result of any suspension shall be counted as absent.
All absences (Non-Exempted, Excused Absence(s), Unexcused and/or Suspension, Codes E, U, S) are counted (Except Extenuating Circumstances) in carrying out the following state and parish guidelines for high school and elementary students. These absences are counted against the attendance criteria for school credit or promotion. Codes D and N do not count against the attendance criteria. (D) means doctor’s excuse and (N) means extenuating circumstances.
The only exception to the attendance regulation shall be the enumerated extenuating circumstances that are verified by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance: Extenuating Circumstances
1. Extended personal, physical or emotional illness as verified by a physician or dentist.
2. Extended hospital stay as verified by a physician or dentist.
3. Extended recuperation from an accident as verified by a physician or dentist.
4. Extended contagious disease within a family as verified by a physician or dentist.
5. Observance of Special and recognized Holidays of the student’s own faith.
6. Military deployment/leave of parent.
The only other exception to the attendance regulation shall be other absences that are verified by the Principal or his/her designee as follows:
1. Prior school system approved travel for education.
2. Death in the family (not to exceed one week----i.e. death certificate or obituary).
3. Natural catastrophe and/or disaster.
4. Court ordered subpoenas and documented legal matters.
5. Absences due to school approved activity.
Students shall be considered present and shall be given the opportunity to make up work. For any other extenuating circumstances, the student’s parents or legal guardian must make a formal appeal with the Vermilion Parish Attendance Review Panel.
THE STUDENT MUST BRING A WRITTEN EXCUSE TO THE PRINCIPAL OR HIS DESIGNEE IN ORDER TO OBTAIN AN ADMIT SLIP WHICH WILL INDICATE EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED ABSENCE(S). ALL DOCUMENTATION OF EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCE(S) IS KEPT ON FILE AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL. ALL EXCUSES SHALL BE WRITTEN BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN OR PHYSICIAN AND RETURNED TO THE PRINCIPAL OR HIS DESIGNEE WITHIN THREE (3) DAYS OF THE STUDENT’S RETURN TO SCHOOL. EXCUSES RETURNED AFTER THREE (3) DAYS ARE UNEXCUSED.
Attendance Criteria All absences are counted in carrying out state and parish guidelines for high school and elementary students. High school students can miss no more than six (6) days in a semester course or twelve (12) days in a full year course to be eligible for credit. At the end of the semester or school year, the school will determine if credit is to be granted for semester/full year courses. Those students who have been denied credit will have the opportunity to appeal by appearing with their parent/guardian before the Vermilion Parish Attendance Review Panel within one week after the end of the first semester or two weeks after the end of the school year.
An elementary student can miss no more than twelve (12) days per year to be eligible for promotion. At the end of the school year, the school will determine if promotion is denied. Those students who have been denied promotion due to excessive absences will have the opportunity to appeal by appearing with their parent/guardian before the Vermilion Parish Attendance Review Panel. Appeals must be made within two weeks after the end of the school year. This policy is intended to help you, the parent/guardian, give your child an opportunity to obtain the best education possible. If you have any questions, please call your school principal or the Child Welfare and Attendance office.
Helpful Tips For Awesome Attendance
- Remind your child that school is their first and most important job!
- Communicate the importance of regular school attendance to your child so they are hearing the same thing we are saying at school.
- If your child is running a fever of 100 degrees or more, vomiting, or having diarrhea they need to be kept home--if they do not have any of these symptoms, please send them!
- Avoid extended vacations that require your child to miss school. Try to line up vacation with the school's schedule. The same goes for doctor's appointments.
December School Attendance Rates
Percent of students Present in each class for the Month of December.
Pre-K:
Hebert: 89.35%
Hunt: 77.88%
First Grade:
Chastant: 86.71%
Trahan: 91.43%
Second Grade:
David: 90.73%
Istre: 91.53%
Third Grade:
Levgerne: 88.57%
Fourth Grade:
Hebert: 89.01%
Bruce: 91.28%
Fifth Grade:
Eschete: 89.69%
Langlinais: 75%
Total JOES percent students present for the month of December = 87.24%
Let's see if we can increase these numbers for January!!
2nd 9 Weeks Data 10/14/2019 to 12/20/2019
* 715 absences with only 255 Doctor excuses submitted = Only 36% of the absences count as excused according to the attendance policy. Remember that according to the policy Parent Notes are excused to make up work BUT DO NOT count for truancy.
*358 check out early's posted. (signed out before 3:05 pm)
* 113 Late to school. (signed in after 8:00 am)
9 Students were rewarded for Perfect Attendance for the 2nd 9 weeks.
Congratulations to Colby Benoit, Nicholas Trahan, Charli Thibodeaux, Molly Levgerne, Ava Elliott, Lynnli Romero,Logan Badon, Sawyer Hebert, & Layne LeMaire for being rewarded for Perfect Attendance in the 2nd 9 weeks of school with a Day Off of school to go bowling.