Parents are responsible to notify and work with the building principal (attendance officer) regarding reasons for absences and any extended or reoccurring illnesses or family emergencies involved.  If your child has missed several days due to illness and you have made a visit to the doctor, it is recommended that you bring in an absentee excuse from the doctor.  Some absences may be waived with a doctor's note and can delay having to involve the county attorney for excessive absences.

       Nebraska Laws 79-201 and 79-209 were enacted to help parents and schools work together to address our children's attendance problems.  Maintaining a good attendance record is one of the easiest and most basic ways that a student may contribute to his or her own success and happiness in school.  Excessive absences can lead to truancy and court involvement, as well as endanger the school program's successful completion.
       The school is obliged to notify you and work with you to encourage your child to attend school.  You will receive a letter if your child is absent 9 or more days, and again if he or she is absent 12 or more days.  If your child is absent 20 or more days, the case will be referred to our Community/School Counselor, and it may be referred to the County Attorney as habitually truant, depending on any extenuating circumstances for the absences.
       We do understand that there may be extenuating circumstances, family emergencies, illnesses, or other situations that might result in absences.  It is your responsibility as parent or guardian to keep the school informed of absences and the reasons for them.  Good communication between parent and school is vital and is in your child's best interest. Again, if your child has missed several days due to illness and you have made a visit to the doctor, it is recommended that you bring in an absentee excuse from the doctor.  Some absences may be waived with a doctor's note and can delay having to involve the county attorney for excessive absences.  (For more information, please refer to page 10 of the Papillion-La Vista Public Schools Elementary Handbook 2006-2007 that was sent home to you at the beginning of the year.)


REMINDERS ABOUT ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES
The school day will begin at 8:15 A.M. and dismiss at 3:05 P.M.  If a student will be absent, the parent/ guardian is asked to notify the school prior to 8:15 A.M.  If the school has not received a call, the school shall call the parent/ guardian to verify the student's whereabouts.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE is determined by the number of days in attendance and accumulated tardies. 
A student with 0 days absent and up to three tardies only will receive Perfect Attendance at the end of the school year.

To clarify tardies and absences and help in scheduling doctor, etc. appointments:  For the morning, if a student arrives between 8:15 and 10:00 A.M. they will be issued a tardy slip.  If they arrive after that time, they will be considered absent for the morning.  For the afternoon, if the student has not arrived by his or her designated afternoon (after lunch) class start time, he or she will be considered tardy.  This includes if a parent has come and taken the child out for lunch and they are late in returning.  If a student leaves school prior to 1:30 P.M., he or she will be considered absent for the afternoon.

NO SUPERVISION is provided on school property before 7:55 A.M. or after 3:15 P.M., therefore we request that students time their arrival between 8:00 - 8:15 A.M. and also that parents pick their children up promptly after school.  If your children need to arrive earlier or stay later, please look into the Kid's Club program through the Central Office, or other before & after school daycares.  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter in keeping all our students safe.