ATTENDANCE POLICY

Consistent attendance benefits youth academically as well as socially. Each student should be in school every class, every day. Minnesota State Law requires that all middle school-aged children attend school every day that school is in session. 

AMS Administration reserves the right to excuse a student from school. Students should be in school unless excused for one of the following reasons: Illness or medical, dental or counseling appointments that must be made during the school day, family emergencies or death in the family, observance of religious activities that must be made during the school day, and vacation requests which are received in advance. Absences or tardies not listed above and not excused by administration shall be considered unexcused. This includes missing the bus or oversleeping.

Parent/Guardian Responsibility: When a student is going to be absent from school, the parent/guardian is required to call or email the school attendance line at amsattendance@isd876.org or 320-274-8226 Ext. 2603 by 9:00 a.m. to explain the reason for the absence. It is the parent and student’s responsibility to make sure all absences are verified with the office within seven days. Parent verification not received within seven days after the absence will not be valid and will result in an unexcused absence.

Vacations: Prior to the absence, parents are asked to contact the middle school office to alert staff of an upcoming absence due to a vacation. Students will receive a "Pre-excused Absence Form” from the front desk to take to each of their teachers notifying them of the impending absence and assignments may be provided. Work should be made up before the vacation when possible.

Student Responsibility: Upon return from an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to contact teachers to get a status report on assignments and make arrangements to complete missing work.

Attendance policy procedures are as follows:

• 15 or more absences (excused or unexcused) will result in a call/letter from AMS Administration.

• 20 or more absences (excused or unexcused) will result in a call/letter from AMS Administration
  requiring a note from a physician requesting that the child stay home.  

Tardiness: We believe that being on time is an important life skill and vital to academic success.  Students are expected to be in class when the class begins.  Students who are tardy at the start of the school day should report to the office and sign in.  Classroom tardies will be addressed by AMS staff members the following way:

1. Teacher gives warning to student

2. Teacher assigns restricted lunch and calls parents to keep them informed. Teachers will inform the Dean of Students.

3. Teacher assigns after-school detention and calls parents to keep them informed.  Teachers will inform the Dean of Students.

4. If steps 2 or 3 are not successful, referral to the dean of students for more intensive intervention.

LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

Once students arrive at school, they are expected to remain on school grounds. Before leaving school, students must obtain a pass from the office to leave the building.  This requires parent/guardian permission.  Students who leave school without a pass will be marked as truant.  It is important to note that this includes students riding the bus or arriving on school property and then leaving school grounds before 8:10 am. In the event that a student must leave school during the school day, the following procedures must be followed:

1. The middle school office personnel must be notified by parent/guardian note, phone or in person that the student will need to leave school. Included in the communication will be the reason for the student's release and the time to be excused.

2. The student will be given a permit to leave the school grounds. Parents are encouraged to report to the office to pick up their child.

3. When returning to school, the student must check back into the middle school office.

TRUANCY

If a student is absent from or significantly late to any class without parental request and administrative approval, the absence is considered truant.  For clarity, we will define “significantly late” as missing 20% or more of a class period. Absences that are not called in within seven days are also considered truant.  It is the parent and student’s responsibility to make sure absences are verified.  Students with unexcused absences or marked truant will be referred to county officials in compliance with attendance laws. Minnesota truancy law definitions are as follows:

• Continuing truant. "Continuing truant" means a child who is under 17 years old who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuse for three or more class periods on three days if the child is in middle school, junior high, or high school.

• Habitual truant. "Habitual truant" means a child under the age of 17 years who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuse for one or more class periods on seven school days if the child is in middle school, junior high school, or high school.

District 876 Truancy Policy procedures are as follows:

• 2 unexcused absences will result in a phone call and/or letter from AMS administration and may require parents to attend an attendance review meeting with school officials.

• 3 unexcused absences will result in a 3-day truancy referral to the county.

• 5 unexcused absences will result in a 5-day truancy referral to the county.

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Power Hour is an after-school philosophy/program that focuses on the areas of content literacy and comprehension as well as building self-esteem and confidence. It is an opportunity for AMS students to improve their academic and social emotional skills with staff in a positive environment. It is held every Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 in the Media Center.  As a school, we want to provide opportunities for students to be as successful as possible.  Students are provided a snack, adult help when possible, and appropriate resources (computers, references, etc).

If you would like your child to attend Power Hour, please contact your child's teacher or the AMS office at (320) 274-8226. Due to staffing constraints,  we will be limiting the after-school power hours to twelve students. We feel this move is important to assist students as best as we can. To make things as fair as possible, we will release a sign-up sheet the evening before for students to sign up and make family arrangements for pick up.  The sign up will be emailed to all students each evening.  Students will be notified with a message after they submit if the twelve slots are already filled. Should any spots remain, a student could sign up during the school day and arrange for a ride home. If a student does not get signed up, they should not attend Power Hour that day and should arrange to get picked up from school at 3 pm or ride the bus home.

Alternatively, it’s important to note that students can still seek help from their teachers before or after school by proactively making an appointment.  Thank you for your understanding.