Attendance Policy
The Jordan School District will comply with its obligation under the Compulsory Attendance Law to monitor student attendance and communicate with parents if the student’s attendance pattern is not in compliance with Utah State Law.
According to the Utah Compulsory Attendance Laws (53G-6-2), every school-age child from six to eighteen years of age must be in school. The parents are responsible for their student’s regular attendance. It is a misdemeanor if you fail to have your student in regular attendance.
Occasionally, a student must be absent from school for unavoidable reasons. Please notify the school every time your student is absent and explain the reason. Your cooperation is needed to help us give your student a quality education.
- Notification #1: Because of our school’s commitment to quality education, we are concerned when a student misses school for any reason. The Jordan School District requires that all students achieve mastery in the basic skills identified for reading, language arts, and mathematics. Absence from school interferes with the student’s opportunity to master these skills.
* The above paragraphs constitute Administrative Notification #1, found in the online Registration Packet.
- Notification #2: Five (5) Unexcused Absences - Parents of students with five (5) or more unexcused absences for the current school year will be mailed an attendance letter to the home address of each primary guardian outlining the days and attendance codes.
- Notification #3: Ten (10) Unexcused Absences - Parents of a student with ten (10) or more unexcused absences will be mailed an attendance letter outlining the days and comments of each absence requesting the primary guardians to contact the school to discuss attendance improvement options.
- Notification #4: Fifteen (15) Unexcused Absences - Parents of a student with fifteen (15) or more unexcused absences will receive a “Certified or Priority Mail Letter” requiring that the parent/guardian contact the school principal to meet and sign a School Attendance Plan, as well as, require that the parent/guardian provide written documentation within 24 hours of the absence or tardy (i.e. dentist, doctor’s note, funeral program of immediate family member).
We feel the importance of communicating with parents whose children have ten (10) or more excused absences during the school year. If an excessive attendance pattern occurs, fifteen (15) or more excused absences, tardies, and/or check-in/outs, the administration will reach out via phone to discuss improvement options. If an excessive attendance pattern occurs, twenty (20) or more excused absences, tardies, and/or check-in/outs, the administration will request that a meeting be held to discuss improvement options.
On occasion, a Provisional Permit will be approved for families living outside of the school boundary. The Provisional Permit Attendance Policy requires that “out of boundary” students are on time and are attending school on a regular basis. After ten (10) excused and/or unexcused absences, tardies, and late check-ins/outs, parents will receive communication from the school to discuss improvement options. Should the student’s attendance pattern not improve after this first discussion, then an additional notification will be sent requesting a meeting to revoke the student’s permit and the requirements to enroll at their boundary school.
- Regular attendance increases the opportunities for students to be successful at school. Frequent absences or tardies disrupt the educational process. Absences should be for sickness or emergencies. Please call the office before 10:00 a.m. to report an absence.
- For safety reasons, please do not send children to school early. Teachers are planning for the day and are not available to supervise students. The first bell rings at 8:55 a.m. School begins at 9:00 a.m. Students should arrive at school as close to 8:55 a.m. as possible.
Daily attendance consists of two (2) attendance periods: If a student is absent the entire day, their attendance will reflect two (2) half days.
Attendance Codes
Unexcused Absence Codes
A=Absent
T=Tardy
Excused Absence Codes
E=Verified Excused (Physician’s/Parents written note required)
V=Educational Leave/Vacation (Ed. Leave form completed BEFORE vacation is taken)
We understand that a physician's note is not needed every time your student is ill; however, it is important that communication is made with the school’s attendance office EACH day that a student is absent.