Attendance

The South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC) strongly enforces Indiana's Compulsory School Attendance Law (IC 28-33-2-28) which makes school attendance the responsibility of the parent and the student. When possible, parents should avoid scheduling or arranging activities that require absences during the school day due to the detrimental impact on the student’s access to, and progress in their educational program. 

Excused and Unexcused Absences 

According to state law, any student with more than ten (10) days of excused and/or unexcused absences is considered truant. However, SBCSC will begin providing interventions for students who reach five (5) or more unexcused absences, offering support and resources to address attendance issues early and help students stay on track before legal consequences are pursued.

Excused Absences: 

Excused absences are defined as absences that the school corporation regards as legitimate reasons for being out of school. 

Indiana Code Title 20, Education § 20-33-2-14 states that a school corporation's governing body must excuse absences that prevent a student from attending school for at least 180 days in a year. The code also lists five reasons for an absence to be excused, which include: 

• Illness verified by a parent or guardian's note or phone call
• Illness verified by a doctor's note 
• Family death/funeral (provide obituary or other supporting documentation of dates)
• Maternity (excused absences for students who are pregnant, meaning a school corporation must excuse a student's absence due to pregnancy with appropriate documentation proving medical necessity.)
• Military-connected families, such as absences related to deployment or return 

*Parents must provide the appropriate documentation for each excused absence within three (3) school days of the time of the absence. The school reserves the right to investigate and verify documentation. 

*After ten (10) calls or signed notes from parents, a doctor’s note will be required for future absences to be excused. This is a corporation-wide policy and must be adhered to.

**If a student’s absences are directly related to their status as identified as McKinney-Vento/unhoused or in foster care, those absences should be considered excused. This includes absences due to challenges in securing stable housing or reliable transportation. Schools should work closely with families, caseworkers, and support staff to ensure these students are not penalized for circumstances beyond their control. 

Exempt Absences: 

Exempt absences are those required or protected by state or federal law and do not count against a student’s attendance record. These include: 

• Service as a page for or honoree of the general assembly 
• Religious observances 
• Working at the polls during an election 
• School-sponsored field trips 
• College visits or job interviews given advance notice with the school 
• Military physicals 
• Court appearances 
• Participating in the state fair
• Administrator Approved - This category could include an absence from school that has been reviewed and authorized by a school administrator. This approval is based on a variety of circumstances including but not limited to health issues, family emergencies, religious observations, or other personal/extenuating circumstances. The decision to approve is at the discretion of the school administrator, ensuring that the absence meets the criteria set forth by school policies. 

*In each of these circumstances, the student is excused from school and should not be recorded as absent or penalized in any way. 

Unexcused Absences: 

An unexcused absence is any absence not covered under excused or exempt absences outlined above. 

Attendance Notifications and Interventions
Attendance notifications will be sent by text/call/email to parents or guardians whose children are marked “Absent” at the beginning of each school day. Parents who receive these notifications must make every effort to still get their child to school even if their child is late. Schools must implement the following notifications and interventions:

• Daily automated attendance notifications through School Messenger
• 5th Unexcused Absence: Attendance Secretary schedules SAC Conference. SAC Conference must be scheduled within ten (10) school days of the fifth (5th) absence. State law requirement.
• 8th Unexcused Absence: Automatic letter through PowerSchool via email
• 10th Unexcused Absence: Affidavit must be sent to the Prosecutor (state law requirement). Home visit by a member of the Attendance Response Team
• 15th Unexcused Absence: Evaluate to determine if a referral to the CASIE Center (K-5) or The Juvenile Justice Center (6-12) is necessary.

Truancy and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Students

For students who fall under the umbrella of special education per IDEA and Article 7, the Student Attendance Conference (SAC) will include members of the student’s case conference committee and must satisfy all state and federal requirements relating to the interventions, services, and placement for these students.