ATTENDANCE GUIDE FOR CPS FAMILIES
WHAT CAN I DO TO SUPPORT MY CHILD AND THEIR DAILY ATTENDANCE?
Before school every day:
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After school every day:
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WHEN SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD AT HOME?
Send me to school if...
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Keep me at home if...
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Call the doctor if...
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Frequently Asked Questions
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL?
Yes, from age 6 until reaching age 17, a child who lives in Chicago must be enrolled and attend school. Further, once a child enrolls—even if they are younger than 6 or older than 17—he/she must go to school regularly.
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WHEN IS AN ABSENCE CONSIDERED HALF-DAY OR FULL-DAY?
Being present for fewer than 300 minutes of instruction but more than 150 minutes is considered a half-day absence; fewer than 150 minutes of instruction is considered a full-day absence.
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IS AN EXCUSED ABSENCE STILL AN ABSENCE?
Yes, a note tells the school why your child was absent. This allows your son/daughter to avoid becoming truant. However, whenever a student is not in school, it does count as an absence.
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IS CALLING THE SCHOOL AND EXPLAINING WHY MY CHILD IS ABSENT THE SAME AS SENDING A NOTE?
No, for an Unexcused Absence to become an Excused Absence, CPS Policy requires a student, upon return, to bring a paper note indicating a valid reason.
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WHAT IF MY CHILD DOES NOT WANT TO COME TO SCHOOL?
Families should maintain that going to school is important, and they should communicate with the school about the anxiety a child is feeling. The school will work with the family to create a solution. Letting a child stay home without working together creates a bigger problem for the student.
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WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR BEING LATE OR HAVING UNEXCUSED ABSENCES?
The “CPS Student Code of Conduct” allows assigning detention and/or in-school suspension (although NOT out-ofschool suspension) for excessive truancy or tardiness. Board policy does not allow schools to drop students from enrollment due to excessive absence or tardiness. The larger consequence is that your child could fall off track.
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For more information, please visit the CPS.edu Attendance and Truancy Page