All absences must be verified in one of the following ways:

• Parent or guardian must call the attendance office between 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the day of student's absence.
• If parent cannot call the school the day of absence, then the student must bring a note from parent or guardian the morning the student returns or within 48 hours.
• The school will spot check absentees by calling parents at home or work.
• Students who are absent for part of the day or the whole day for medical or dental appointments must return with a note from the medical or dental office with the time of appointment and a nurse or doctor's signature.

Attendance and School Events
If a student is absent from school, they are not allowed to attend social or athletic events which take place after the school day.  This includes but is not limited to: Prom, Homecoming, etc.  An Assistant Principal can waive this requirement if unusual circumstances are reported in advance.

Excused Absences
Excused Absences include but are not limited to the following:  See the High School Agenda for 9 - day policy.

• Personal illness
• Severe illness or death in family
• Religious observances
• Required court appearances
• Medical, dental, or legal appointments
• Family-related emergencies

Make-up Policy for Excused Absences
Academic work: tests, assignments, papers, etc., must be made up in a timely manner upon return to school from an excused absence.  Any previously assigned work is due upon return to school.  Any work assigned during absence will be given 24-48 hours to be completed and turned in.  If a student is absent during semester exams, it’s the responsibility of the student to arrange a make up of that exam within 24 hours of absence.

Unexcused Absences

• Car problems
• Shopping trips
• Haircut appointments
• Errands that could be scheduled when student is not in school
• Oversleeping
• Family related absences that are not emergencies
• Dental or legal appointments that have not been verified by a doctor or legal note
• Ditch days
• Illness exceeding 5 days within a 20 school day period unless verified by doctor
• Students who leave school due to illness without seeing the nurse or proper sign-out procedures

Make-up Policy for Unexcused Absences
Unexcused absences have no make-up privileges except for major projects or tests..  Any work due or done during this time will receive no credit.  If a student cuts a semester exam, that student will fail the course for the entire semester.

Planned Absences
Planned absences can only be approved by the Administration.  A minimum of 24 hours notice must be allowed for a one-day planned absence, 48 hours for two-day absences, etc.  A form must be picked up from the office, completed by each teacher, signed by parent/guardian, and returned to the office before the student is absent, otherwise, the absence will be mark unexcused.  The 9-day absence policy does apply to planned absences.

College/Career Visits
It is the goal of Johnsburg High School to encourage Juniors and Seniors to gain as much knowledge as possible regarding their college or job choice.  College and career visits on school days must be arranged in advance through the  office.  It is the expectation of the high school that the visit will be for the purpose of conducting a thorough investigation of the institution through the use of the admissions stage, class visitation, financial advisors, faculty interview, etc. The absence will be excused upon receipt of official documentation from the admission's department.  Students are allowed 2 college visits per year without a perfect attendance penalty.