Attendance Policies and Procedures
Benton Habor Area Schools (BHAS) complies with the Michigan Compulsory School Law, which states that all students between the ages of six (6) and eighteen (18) are to attend school during the entire school year.
Regular attendance is essential for student success in school. At BHAS we expect students to attend school every day, arrive on time, and remain in school the entire day. We aim for all students to maintain a high attendance rate of 96%. Absences, excused or unexcused, equate to less time learning in the classroom.
Excused absences are documented absences for legitimate reasons, such as:
Student illness and/or appointment verified by the parent/guardian or medical professional
Medically verified extended illness or hospitalization
Attending a funeral
Religious holidays
Mandated court appearances (documented)
Time missed due to First Student school transportation issues
Homelessness
Reasons other than those listed above are considered unexcused absences. Numerous unexcused absences will trigger the following notifications:
Parent(s)’/Guardian(s)’ Responsibility:
Parents of children who do not attend school regularly as required by Michigan law could be petitioned to court for educational neglect.
It is the responsibility of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to notify the student’s school as early as possible on the day of an absence and explain the reasons for the absence.
Written or email verification of a student’s absence by a parent/guardian is required (unless otherwise indicated by the appropriate administrator) and should be provided to the school the day after an absence.
After 3 consecutive absences, a medical note from a physician may be required.
It is the responsibility of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to make arrangements with the teacher to obtain missed assignments due to absences.
Chronic Absenteeism
The state defines ‘chronic absenteeism’ as attending school less than or equal to 90% of the time. Students who have missed at least 10% of the school year are considered chronically absent/truant. This includes all absences (excused, unexcused, suspensions, etc). It does not matter if absences are excused or unexcused, they all represent lost time in the classroom and lost opportunity to learn. Absences not only impact individual students. They also impact the district as a whole.