Attendance

Your child’s school day starts at 7:35 a.m. and ends at 2:18 p.m.
School Attendance Line: 763-552-8810 (24 hour voicemail line)

Students should be in school every day; a missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn. The primary rationale for student attendance is the relationship between student attendance and student achievement. The general policy of the school district on Student Attendance is Policy 503.

A child under the age of 17 is considered “habitually truant” if they are absent from school without a lawful excuse for seven (7) school days per school year. Parental notification is required by Minnesota statute and schools may report habitual truancy to Child in Need of Protection Services through the county.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policies and Procedures for students in K-12:
Minnesota State Statute requires that children attend school. For students under the age of 12, it is presumed that it is a parental responsibility to ensure the child’s attendance. Between the ages of 12 through the 17th year, it is primarily the student’s responsibility to get to school on a daily basis. A student is required to attend school each and every day and each and every class period. If a student misses a school day or part of a day, for legitimate reasons, a parent or guardian must notify the school.

Examples of excused absence/tardy include: Illness, family emergency, suspension, religious holiday, dental, medical or mental health appointment, vacation, school-sponsored activity. We encourage you to schedule necessary appointments after school hours, if possible.

Unexcused absences are any other reason than listed above, and are also considered an unexcused absence if the school is not notified of the reason for a student’s absence. Examples of unexcused absences include: missed the bus, overslept, bus suspension. If a student is absent without lawful excuse on three or more days, or any part of the school day, they are considered truant. Truancy is a violation of Minnesota State Law.

The parents, school, and community are all partners in working towards the goal of school attendance and educational success. The Law is “designed to provide a continuum of intervention and services to support families and children in school and combating truancy and educational neglect.”

When a student has had three unexcused absences, the school will begin the initial interventions. The school is legally required to notify the parent or guardian that the child is a “continuing truant” under the law after three unexcused absences. A letter will be sent outlining potential legal consequences as well as recommended action for the parent. At this point, parents are strongly encouraged to attend a school conference with their child. If the student has seven unexcused absences, he/she is considered “habitually truant”. The school is required to report to Isanti County Family Services or Isanti County Court Services that the student is in violation of the compulsory attendance laws.

If a child’s absences reach 10 or more days for any reason the school reserves the right to require a note from a physician specifically stating that the child is too ill to attend school for that day.