Attendance

Daily Attendance

It is important for students to be in school as much as possible. It is your responsibility to let us know when your child will be absent.

1. You must call the school by 8:00 a.m. to let us know your child will be absent.
2. If we do not hear from you, we will call to check on your child’s welfare and remind you to call the Attendance Line (952) 491-8505 to report future absences. The third and any subsequent times we need to call you, the absence will be unexcused, no matter the reason for the absence.
3. Each student is allowed 12 absences due to illness. Any illness absence after 12 requires a doctor’s note for the absence to be excused.
4. Professional appointments (doctor, counselor, legal, etc.) will be excused only if we receive a note from the professional.
5. Each student is allowed to miss up to five (5) days of school for vacation.
6. If no reason is given for the absence, the absence will be unexcused.

Vacation Policy

District policy allows a student up to five (5) days of vacation. For the sixth day, and any days after that, a vacation petition form must be completed, using the following process.

1. Parent will request the Vacation Petition Form from the school office, advising dates of school to be missed.
2. Office staff will give the Vacation Petition to the classroom teacher to enter homework make-up plans and return the form to the parents.
3. Parent will contact the school social worker at (952) 491-8458 to go over the homework make-up plans.
4. A consultation between the school social worker and the classroom teacher may occur.

Hilltop Family Choice Day Request Form

Vacation Petition Form

Unexcused Absences

Westonka Public Schools will follow the Hennepin County and state guidelines for reporting students who are truant.

1. The school will inform parents in writing when we have recorded three (3) or more unexcused absences for a student. Please know that five (5) unexcused tardies equals 1 unexcused absence.
2. When the school has recorded six (6) unexcused absences, the parents will be referred to the County for a parent meeting.
3. When nine (9) unexcused absences are recorded, the parents will be referred to County officials; the absence report will be reviewed by the County and could result in a Juvenile Court hearing.

Reporting guidelines can be found on the Hennepin County Be@School page.