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Lloydminister Public School Division

780-875-5541 Fax: 780-875-7829

5017 46 Street
Lloydminster, Alberta T9V 1R4

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Administrative Procedures

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Administrative Procedure 340

Attendance of Students

Background

The Lloydminster Public School Division recognizes the importance of daily regular attendance of students.  Students are required to attend school regularly in accordance with the Education Act, Sections 154 and 156 through 162, and this Administrative Procedure.

Procedures

  1. The Director of Education will appoint local attendance counsellor(s) in accordance with the Education Act.
  2. The Principal shall:
    1. Be authorized to implement procedures that are consistent with the Education Act and other directives issued by the Ministry of Education, Board of Education, and within the limitation established by the Director of Education.
    2. Procedures pertaining to reasons for absences must include:
      1. Parents/Caregivers shall be requested to communicate with the Principal, when a student is absent from school.
      2. When the school has not been previously notified by the parent/caregiver of the reason for the student’s absence, and the student is not self-supporting, a written explanation from the parent/caregiver shall be required for any absence.  The Principal may waive this requirement if other means are used to monitor attendance.   
      3. When an elementary student is absent without explanation an attempt shall be made by the Principal, or designate, to contact the home.
      4. If a teacher suspects that a student is truant, the Principal, shall be notified immediately.
      5. Ensure that attendance records of students are kept in accordance with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education regulations and Board of Education.
  3. The Principal shall investigate reasons for non attendance, and if deemed appropriate, involve other school or system personnel such as Vice Principals, school liaison workers, and guidance counsellors, in such investigations.  Counselling and persuasion shall be preferred approaches to encouraging regular attendance. Exceptions to school attendance include:
    1. The student is under a program of instruction elsewhere with the approval of the Board of Education;
    2. The student is unable to attend school by reason of illness or other unavoidable cause considered sufficient by the local attendance counsellors or Principal;
    3. The student has been suspended or expelled from school;
    4. The student has been excluded from attendance at school pursuant to The Public Health Act, 1994;
    5. The Director of Education, after investigation is of the opinion certified in writing, that continued attendance at school is not productive or is detrimental to the student or to the school;
    6. The student is engaged in work experience or other educational programs authorized by the Board of Education;
    7. The student is absent from school on a holy day of the church or religious denomination of which the student or student’s parent/caregiver is a member;
    8. The student is absent from school with the approval of their parent/caregiver for the purpose of receiving medical or dental treatment; or,
    9. The student is absent from school in order to accompany their parent/caregiver on a period of extended travel outside the school division. In the case where the extended travel is beyond five (5) school days:
      1. The parent/caregiver shall inform the Principal of the anticipated period of absence; and,
      2. Where the Principal considers appropriate, consult with teaching staff to determine what measures should be employed to maintain the student’s progress in their courses of study.
  4. The Principal shall report cases of non attendance to the local attendance counsellors in accordance with The Education Act.  If a student has more than four (4) days of unexplained absences in a month or any ten (10) day period, the Principal shall report the absence to the attendance counsellors.
  5. In cases of chronic non attendance, the local attendance counsellors shall advise parent/caregiver, and other persons in charge, by registered mail, of their responsibilities.
  6. The Principal will ensure in cases of chronic non attendance that contact with the student/family is maintained and efforts to achieve regular attendance are ongoing.  After twenty (20) days of non-attendance, at the discretion of the Principal, the student may be withdrawn from school using the appropriate reason code.  (Appendix F, - The Registrar's Handbook for School Administrators).
  7. The local attendance counsellors, after consulting with the Director of Education, shall inform the parent/caregiver, by registered mail, when legal proceedings are being considered.
  8. The local attendance counsellor shall provide an annual report to the Director of Education.

Reference
Section 85, 87, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 175 Education Act, 1995

Revised
June 2016
December 2017
August 2023