Regular and punctual attendance is essential to student learning, connection, and success. This page explains District attendance expectations, how to report or request an absence, available attendance forms, and resources for families experiencing barriers to regular attendance. CLSD works with students and families to address chronic absenteeism through communication, problem solving, and appropriate supports.

Attendance Matters

Regular, punctual attendance gives students the best opportunity to learn, build relationships, participate in school activities, and make steady progress toward graduation. Each school day includes instruction, discussion, practice, and interaction that cannot always be recreated through make-up work alone.

Central Linn School District recognizes that students may occasionally need to miss school because of illness, appointments, family emergencies, religious observances, or other circumstances. We also understand that some families experience barriers that make regular attendance difficult. Our goal is to work with students and families early, identify the cause of attendance concerns, and connect families with appropriate support.

Reporting an Absence

When a student will be absent, arrive late, or leave school early, a parent or guardian should notify the student’s school as soon as possible. Please provide:

• The student’s full name
• The student’s grade
• The date or dates of the absence
• The reason for the absence
• The name of the parent or guardian reporting it
• A telephone number or email address where the family can be reached

Families should use the attendance reporting process provided by the student’s school or program. If you are unsure how to report an absence, contact the school office directly.

An absence is not automatically excused simply because a parent or guardian reports it. Absences are recorded according to Oregon requirements and District policy. The school may request additional information when necessary to determine how an absence should be recorded.

Planned Absences

Whenever possible, families should schedule vacations, appointments, and other nonemergency activities outside the school day. If a planned absence is unavoidable, notify the school in advance and complete any required prearranged-absence form.

Advance notice allows teachers and staff to explain what the student may miss and determine what work can reasonably be completed. Some classroom instruction, group work, hands-on activities, assessments, and discussions may not be easily duplicated outside the classroom.

Illness and Health-Related Absences

Students should remain home when they are ill and should return when they can safely participate in the school day. Families should follow current school health guidance and contact the school when they have questions about whether a student should attend.

If a student has a medical condition that is affecting attendance, please communicate with the school. With appropriate information, the school may be able to coordinate health support, academic assistance, or other accommodations.

Tardiness and Early Checkouts

Arriving on time helps students begin the day calmly, hear important instructions, and participate fully in learning. Frequent late arrivals can cause students to miss the same subject, routine, or instructional period repeatedly.

Leaving school early also results in missed instructional time. Parents and guardians should follow the school’s checkout procedures and may be asked to provide identification before a student is released.

When Absences Begin to Add Up

Both excused and unexcused absences can affect student learning when they become frequent. Missing only a few days each month can create gaps in skills, make assignments more difficult, and weaken a student’s connection to classmates, teachers, and school activities.

When a pattern of absences, tardiness, or early departures develops, school staff may:

• Contact the family to review attendance information
• Check for errors or missing information in the attendance record
• Meet with the student and family
• Identify academic, health, transportation, social, or family barriers
• Develop an attendance support plan
• Connect the family with school or community resources
• Monitor attendance and follow up on progress
• Take additional steps required by District policy or Oregon law

The District begins with communication and problem-solving. Families do not need to wait for the school to contact them. If attendance is becoming difficult, please reach out so that support can begin as early as possible.

Attendance in Online and Alternative Programs

Attendance expectations may look different in an online or alternative education setting, but regular participation is still required. Students enrolled in Central Linn Online Academy or the FLEX Alternative Education Program must follow the attendance, participation, instructional-contact, and work-completion requirements established for their specific program.

Logging into a platform or submitting an assignment may not, by itself, meet all attendance requirements. Families should review the attendance procedures for their student’s program and contact program staff with questions.

Make-Up Work

Students are responsible for completing work missed during an absence as directed by their teachers. Families and students should communicate with teachers promptly and use the school’s regular system for accessing assignments and class information.

Completing make-up work is important, but it does not replace all of the instruction and interaction missed during an absence. Regular attendance remains the most effective way for students to remain connected and academically successful.

Reviewing an Attendance Record

Families are encouraged to review attendance information regularly through the District’s student information system. If you believe an absence or tardy has been recorded incorrectly, contact the school office promptly. School staff can review the record and explain whether additional information is needed.

We Are Here to Help

Attendance concerns are often connected to challenges that can be addressed when families and schools work together. Transportation difficulties, health concerns, anxiety, housing instability, family responsibilities, academic frustration, peer conflict, and other circumstances can all affect a student’s ability or willingness to attend.

If your child is struggling to attend school consistently, contact the classroom teacher, school counselor, attendance staff, administrator, or program representative. Central Linn School District is committed to helping students overcome barriers, reconnect with school, and participate as fully as possible in their education.