Rebel Roundup – Oct. 6, 2025
Elementary Attendance Expectations
As we are now one month into the school year, it is a good time to review attendance expectations for our elementary students. These expectations have changed slightly from last year since we are beginning our school day at a different time. All elementary students in both buildings (Junior Kindergarten – Grade 6) now begin their day at 8:00 am.
Supervision will be provided for students in both buildings starting at 7:45 am. Students should not arrive before 7:45 am. This includes students who attend at Central or wait at Central for a bus transfer to West. During inclement weather, students may wait inside the building.
- If a student arrives after 8:00 am, but by 8:30 am, they will be counted as tardy.
- If a student arrives after 8:30 am, they are counted absent for the morning.
- If a student is absent for the morning and returns to school by 12:00 pm, they are counted absent for the morning only.
- If a student is absent in the morning and returns to school after 1:00 pm, they are counted absent for the afternoon.
- If a student leaves before 2:00 pm, they are counted absent for the afternoon.
** For an absence to count as excused, a parent or guardian must notify the homeroom teacher daily by 3:00 pm. They may notify the teacher by phone or email. An absence will also be considered excused if a doctor’s note is provided for the date in question.
If absences are considered to be excessive, a medical doctor’s note may be requested, or the principal may arrange a meeting with the parent and relevant school staff to discuss the absences. If your child is absent for 3 consecutive days without a phone call from the parent, school personnel will call to check on the student.
If a student has 3 days of unexcused absences during a school year or their overall attendance falls below 90% in a trimester, a letter will be sent home to parents notifying them of the number of student absences and / or tardiness to class.
According to the State of Minnesota, a student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of days enrolled at school. Administration reserves the right to determine whether an absence is considered excused or unexcused, particularly in cases of excessive absenteeism.
Minnesota law states that if a child is under 12 years of age, his or her failure to attend school (unexcused absence) is considered to be ‘Educational Neglect’ committed by the child’s parent / guardian. Students ages 12 and up with 7 or more unexcused absences are considered as ‘Truant’. Reports will be made to Southwest Health and Human Services for any MCC Elementary student with 7 or more unexcused absences.
Please contact Principal - Patrick Freeman or Mental Health Coordinator – Nikki Cheskie if you have any questions about the requirements listed above or if we can provide assistance in improving your child’s attendance.