Attendance Point of Contact
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When school is missed, learning is missed! Chronic tardiness, absences, and early dismissals adversely impact learning. Miner's staff member in charge of attendance is Ms. Chelsea Joseph, our Assistant for Strategy and Logistics (ASL). She can answer any questions about attendance and review your child’s attendance with you. Please remember that an excuse note is required by law for every absence in grades K-5. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Ms. Joseph.
Point of Contact: Ms. Chelsea Joseph (chelsea.joseph@k12.dc.gov) |
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Attendance Policy
Our goal is to educate the Miner Elementary community on the DCPS attendance policy and have a learning environment for all students that promotes academic success, regular attendance, and parent engagement.
Daily Arrival
What needs to be done if a Miner Bear is absent from school?
E-mail Ms. Joseph at chelsea.joseph@k12.dc.gov. Absences without notes or those deemed not valid will be marked “unexcused.” The parent/guardian must communicate with the school. All notes sent must be submitted to Ms. Joseph within 5 school days to be processed. The note must include your scholar’s name, date(s) of the absence, reason for absence, and a parent/guardian’s signature. If a student is sick a doctor’s note is required after 5 days of a student being absent.
What is an excused and unexcused absence?
Excused absences are when scholars are absent from school with a valid excuse and parental approval.
Unexcused absences are when scholars have been absent from school without a valid excuse, with or without parental approval.
Why am I getting an automated phone call about my student’s attendance?
Daily automated messages are sent to the parent/guardian’s primary number in our ASPEN/Blackboard reporting system if a scholar is absent from school.
How long do have to submit an excuse note?
Excuse notes must be provided to the school within 5 days after the scholar returns to school.
Do tardies equal absences?
No. Class absences equal class absences. However, being late consecutively affects classroom grades and opportunities.
How are absences addressed at Miner ES and DCPS?
Daily Arrival
- 8:20am: Doors open
- 8:30am: Scholars are to report to school daily
- 8:45am: Scholars should be seated and ready for instruction
- 8:50am: Scholars are considered late and must report to the attendance office for a late pass
What needs to be done if a Miner Bear is absent from school?
E-mail Ms. Joseph at chelsea.joseph@k12.dc.gov. Absences without notes or those deemed not valid will be marked “unexcused.” The parent/guardian must communicate with the school. All notes sent must be submitted to Ms. Joseph within 5 school days to be processed. The note must include your scholar’s name, date(s) of the absence, reason for absence, and a parent/guardian’s signature. If a student is sick a doctor’s note is required after 5 days of a student being absent.
What is an excused and unexcused absence?
Excused absences are when scholars are absent from school with a valid excuse and parental approval.
- Student illness (a doctor’s note is required if a scholar is absent for more than 5 days)
- Medical reasons (such as a doctor’s appointment; doctor’s office note required)
- Death in scholar’s immediate family
- Student required to attend a judicial proceeding (as plaintiff, defendant, witness or juror
- Religious holiday
- Temporary school closings (due to weather, unsafe conditions, or other emergencies)
- Visiting military parent
- DC public transportation issues where legally responsible
- Authorized school activity (i.e. college visits, field trips, performances, internships, etc.)
- Emergency (circumstances approved by the Attendance Office)
- School visit (1 day during the school year)
Unexcused absences are when scholars have been absent from school without a valid excuse, with or without parental approval.
- Vacation
- Babysitting
- Shopping
- Running errands
- Oversleeping
- Job hunting
- Hair appointments
Why am I getting an automated phone call about my student’s attendance?
Daily automated messages are sent to the parent/guardian’s primary number in our ASPEN/Blackboard reporting system if a scholar is absent from school.
How long do have to submit an excuse note?
Excuse notes must be provided to the school within 5 days after the scholar returns to school.
Do tardies equal absences?
No. Class absences equal class absences. However, being late consecutively affects classroom grades and opportunities.
How are absences addressed at Miner ES and DCPS?
- One (1) or two (2) unexcused absences: Teachers will notify the parent/guardian of student’s absence.
- Five (5) unexcused absences: Parent/guardian and scholar is required to have a Student Attendance Conference by Attendance Clerk. Also, scholars in Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 will be referred to the ECE Family Service Team.
- Seven (7) unexcused absences: Scholars will receive a Metropolitan Police Department/DCPS notification letter.
- Ten (10) unexcused absences: Scholars will be referred to Child and Family Services for Educational Neglect age 5- 13.
- Fifteen (15) unexcused absences: Scholars will be referred to Court Social Services.
- Twenty (20) consecutive absences: Scholars will be dropped from school roster and parent will be notified.