Parents,
Please email or send in a written note with the following when reporting an absence:
- your student(s) full name
- the exact dates your student(s) was absent
- the reason for the absence
- We do not accept verbal excuses.
Excuses must be received within 10 school days. Notes can be dropped off in the office.
Please include on the note: student first and last names, date(s) absent and reason for absence.
To view your student’s attendance, go to focus.graniteschools.org. Once logged in go to the menu, and then click on attendance.
The full attendance policy is below.
Student Attendance / Chronic Absentee Prevention Procedure Moratorium Guidelines
In keeping with our commitment to providing a quality education, schools are concerned when a student misses school for any reason. The mission of Granite School District is to prepare every student with the knowledge and skills needed for life-long success in a changing world. Students who are excessively absent from school are not able to accomplish their educational goals. According to the Utah Compulsory Attendance Laws (Utah Code §53-6-201 et seq.), parents/guardians and students are responsible for regular school attendance. Occasionally, a student must be absent from school for acceptable reasons such as illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, pre-approved vacation leave, etc. Please call or send a note explaining the reason for your student’s absence to your school’s attendance secretary to excuse the absence.
In accordance with state law (Utah Code § § 53-G-6-202 and 203), school administrators, school resource officers, and absentee specialists may issue an Attendance Inquiry to parents/guardians of a student who is absent at least five times during the school year. An Attendance Inquiry directs parents/guardians to contact school support personnel to discuss attendance issues.
District attendance procedures are as follows:
1. Excusal Notes must be received within ten (10) school days following the return from an absence, the school may deny excusal notes that are received after that point in time.
2. After five (5) absent days within a school year, the school will mail the student/parent/guardian the First Attendance Inquiry letter notifying the student/parent/guardian of the attendance policy.
3. After five (5) unexcused days within a school year, the school will mail the student/parent/guardian the Second Attendance Inquiry letter asking for the parent(s)/guardian(s) help with their student’s attendance.
4. After ten (10) unexcused days of being absent within a school year, the school will mail the student/parent/guardian a Third Attendance Inquiry letter inviting the family to attend a Group Attendance Support Meeting hosted by a District representative.
5. After fifteen (15) unexcused days of being absent within a school year, the school will mail the student/parent/guardian a Fourth Attendance Inquiry letter inviting the family to attend an Individual Attendance Support Meeting to implement a Student Attendance Plan.
6. For secondary schools, missed periods will accrue into days of absences.
Please check with the school attendance specialist/secretary concerning excused or unexcused absences of your student. Your cooperation is needed in offering your student a quality education. If you have questions regarding these procedures, please contact the Department of Prevention and Student Placement, 385-646-4660.
