Attendance
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) wants every student to succeed, and attendance is essential to success. Every day counts!
Please make sure that your child is at school, on time, every day. If your child will be absent or late, please contact the school office. Give your name, your child’s name, grade, teacher, and reason for absence.
The Importance of Attendance
MPS's goal is 95% attendance or higher for EVERY student. This is equal to...
Research shows that attendance matters! Children who are not in school are missing out on learning. Each time a child misses school, their classmates are still learning and moving forward. Students can quickly fall behind if they are not in school every day.
- Missing school during the first month can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half of the students who miss two to four days in September will miss nearly a month of school by the end of the year.
- Poor attendance in kindergarten and first grade can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade.
- By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism—or being absent at least 10 percent of school days—is a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. When students improve their attendance, they improve their grades, are more connected to classmates, and are more likely to graduate from high school.
Mandatory Attendance: It’s the Law
Wisconsin state statute §118.15 requires children ages six to 18 to attend school unless a child is excused by a parent or guardian, has graduated, or is enrolled in an alternative or home-based private or other education program as permitted by law. By law, parents/guardians must require their children to attend school regularly during the full period and hours that school is in session until the end of the school term, quarter, or semester of the school year in which the child turns 18.
When a student is absent, their parent/guardian must provide a reason. The school attendance officer then records whether the absence is excused or not excused (truant) according to guidelines set by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.
MPS Attendance Policy
Read the Full Policy (8.13)
Tardies
If a student arrives at the school building 10 minutes after the start of the school day, they are marked tardy and will receive a late pass.
Excused Absences
For an absence to be considered excusable, you must notify the school so it is marked as excused in your child’s record in Infinite Campus. Reasons for excused absences can include:
- Personal illness
- Medical/dental appointments
- Prolonged medical issues
- Legal/court obligations
- Specific family obligations, including family emergencies, funerals, or serious illness of a family member
- Religious holidays/observances
- School-sponsored, curricular, or academic-related activities
- Driver examinations
- School suspensions, including any during the expulsion process, for up to 15 days
- Incarceration
- Verifiable cases of a bus not stopping at a designated bus stop
In addition, parents/guardians have the right to excuse a student’s absence from school for any reason by submitting written notification prior to the student’s absence. A student may be excused for up to ten (10) days per year under this provision.
Three Steps to Excuse an Absence
- Contact the office at your child’s school before school or early in the day to report that your child will not be present. Follow their instructions for reporting an absence.
- Send a written note with your child when they return to class. If your child sees a healthcare provider, ask for a medical excuse note that can be given to the school.
- Work with your child’s teacher to make up any missed assignments or tests.
Absence for Personal Illness
School is important, but sick children need to stay home. Please do NOT send your child to school if:
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They cannot sit up comfortably.
- They cannot pay attention.
- Their illness would disrupt others (such as coughing and sneezing).
- They are contagious and could spread sickness.
- They have any of the symptoms listed in yellow.
Please keep your child home ONLY if they are truly sick. Headaches or stomachaches may be signs of anxiety, so talk with your child about stress or other concerns.
Personal Illness Symptoms
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Fever (temperature 100.4˚ or higher)
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Blistery rash
- Chills
- COVID-19 symptoms
- Fatigue
- Frequent cough
- Headache
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- Muscle or body aches
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Recent loss of taste and smell
- Sore throat
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Absence for Religious Observances
MPS welcomes families of all faiths. We recognize that important religious observances may fall on school days. Our schools take steps to support students who may have special requirements for dress, diet, fasting, or other religious expression.
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You can help your school support your family’s religious observances.
- Talk to your child's teacher and school staff about your beliefs and needs.
- Consider carefully whether your child needs to miss school for a religious observance.
- Inform the school staff ahead of time when your child will miss school.
- Talk to the teacher about making up any work your child may miss.
If you have any questions, please discuss them with school staff.
Unexcused Absences
An absence is unexcused if it does not meet the criteria for excused absences or if timely documentation/notice is not provided to the school by a parent/guardian. The school also has the authority to reject excuses that do not appear to be valid.
Five (5) or more unexcused absences in a semester is considered habitual truancy and could result in disciplinary action or ticketing from the City of Milwaukee. If your child is habitually truant, the school will schedule a meeting with you to discuss ways to improve attendance. For more details, see Administrative Policy 8.14.
How to Track Your Child’s Attendance
Campus Parent Portal allows you to see your child’s attendance, including whether they are present, absent, or tardy. This is a great way to track any issues and catch problems early. Please contact the school to report and correct any errors.
Access Campus Parent Portal
How to Improve Attendance
Learn more about how you can improve your child’s attendance.
If you have a family situation that makes it difficult to get your child to school, talk to the teacher, parent coordinator, school social worker, or principal. They may have ideas or solutions to assist you.
Inclement Weather Information
School can be delayed, closed early, or closed entirely due to weather conditions.
Learn More About Weather Closures