There are some big changes to Washoe County School District's attendance policy.
"You're absent or you're present," said Dr. Bryn Lapenta Senior Director of Student Accounting at W.C.S.D.Â
Students can miss no more than 10% of days throughout the school year. That is equivalent to 17 days for elementary and middle schools. High school number are different based on the school's schedules. Some high schools have block days, while others do not.
"Some schools have an A-B schedule so a kid attends one day this set of classes another day, another set of classes," said Lapenta.Â
If a student misses more than 10% of days, that student would have to repeat their grade at the discretion of the principal.Â
Any and all absences will now count against a student, including anything from a planned family vacation to being sick. However, the district urges parents to not panic and to use common sense. If a student is sick, keep them home.
"We are asking families to please budget those absences," said Lapenta. "Save some for when you really need them like when you have a sore throat, or a fever and you need to stay home from school."
If a student is absent, they will still need to make up missed work, however, it will not remove the absence from their record. A parent or student can appeal if there are extenuating circumstances.
"It's really important that if your child is absent or a family is struggling, there are a lot of reasons why a student is missing, that they reach out to the school," she said.Â
Regardless, the district says students being at school is vital for their success.Â
"Attend today. Achieve tomorrow. That's what this is really about," Lapenta said.Â
