UPDATED - Attendance

Regular attendance and a prompt start to the school day are essential to school success and required by Kansas law. Consistent and prompt attendance is required by Kansas law. District procedures are followed with excessive absences or tardies. Parents should call or email the school at htattendance@olatheschools.org  by 9 a.m. or leave a message on voice mail each day the child is absent. Any student arriving after 8:55 a.m. is considered tardy and must report to the office and sign in before going to the classroom (four tardies = one unexcused absence). Please see additional information below on absences and tardies.

Having your student present and on time for learning is a key factor in their success. Please see the updated guidelines for student attendance. There may be additional actions taken depending on the situation.

Tardies

• Four tardies in a semester - one unexcused absence, parent phone call
• Seven tardies in a semester - intervention meeting and plan established with parents and school team
• 20 tardies in a semester - five unexcused absences, truancy authorities notified

 Absenteeism

• Five absences in a semester - intervention meeting and plan established with parents and school team
• Nine absences in a semester - second/updated intervention meeting and plan established with parents, school team, and any additional parties
• 10 absences in a school year - truancy authorities notified

Truancy

• Two unexcused absences in a row - intervention meeting and plan established with parents and school team
• Five unexcused absences in a semester - truancy authorities notified
• Seven unexcused absences in a school year - updated team intervention meeting

These policies align with BOE policies JBA, JBAA, JBAD, JBAB, JBC.

If a unique situation exists which may interfere with regular, timely school attendance, the guardian should work with the school to develop a plan in advance.

Johnson County District Attorney’s Office Statement

Truancy is prosecuted as a Child in Need of Care case. Under state law, children between the ages of 7 and 18 are required to attend school. If a child is deemed truant by their school, then a referral is made to the District Attorney's Office. Upon receipt of a truancy referral from the school, our office has discretion about how that case is processed.

Kansas statutes provide that a student is "truant" if they are absent without excuse, for a "significant portion" of the school day, for three consecutive days, or five days in a semester, or seven days in a school year. When that occurs, then the school is to provide notice to the student's parent or guardian. Once notice is received, then any further absences without excuse triggers a report to the District Attorney's Office.

If a truancy case is filed in District Court, then the assigned Judge has discretion to formulate a plan designed to meet the child's needs and get the child to attend school. In some instances, the State may proceed informally and refer the child to services.. In other instances, the court will direct the child be monitored on a formal "truancy plan." If the child is placed on a truancy plan, a court services officer would supervise a child's attendance, and work with the child and family to make sure the child attends school. In extreme cases, the court has the authority to place a child outside the home to make sure the child gets an education.

For more information on truancy, please contact the Johnson County District Attorney's office at 913-715-3000.