When students are absent from school, important work and instructions that may put them behind their classmates are missed. When it is necessary for students to be absent from school, the parents/guardians are asked to contact the school between 8:00-9:00 a.m. on the day of absence concerning the nature of the absence. Phone calls will be made to parents/guardians from the school office on unreported absences. (Illinois School Code 105 ILSC 5/26-3b).
A student participating in any athletic or social event must be in attendance at least half of that day. This means they must be in attendance by noon on a 3 p.m. dismissal day, or by 11 a.m. on a 2 p.m. dismissal day, on the day of the event. Students who leave school because they are ill on the day of a game or social event will not be allowed to participate in that event.
Truancy: Students of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School are subject to compulsory school attendance. A student who is absent (without an excused absence) for 10% or more of the regular attendance days is in violation of this policy. (Illinois School Code 105 ILSC 5/26-21). When a student is absent 10% of days in a quarter, a letter will be sent home to the parents. Chronic truancy will be turned over to a truancy officer.
Excused Absence: Excused absences include illnesses, death in the immediate family, or family emergency. Absences for other reasons will be considered on an individual basis.
Doctor and dental appointments, if at all possible, should be made outside of school hours. Notes from parents should be sent to school regarding medical or dental appointments. Students missing 30 minutes or less will not be considered tardy if they have a doctor’s note. Students missing more than 30 minutes will be considered absent for one-half day (Diocesan Policy 5113). Parents must accompany their child to the office to sign the child in/out for these appointments.
It is the responsibility of the student to check with his/her teacher(s) on the first day back from an absence regarding missed assignments and tests. Please note that it is not always possible for teachers to gather all missed assignments on the day of the absence. This is especially true when students rotate classes between several teachers (grades 6-8). Students will have an equal amount of days to make up the work as days absent, or as grading period deems necessary.
Excused Absence: Excused absences include illnesses, death in the immediate family, or family emergency. Absences for other reasons will be considered on an individual basis.
Doctor and dental appointments, if at all possible, should be made outside of school hours. Notes from parents should be sent to school regarding medical or dental appointments. Students missing 30 minutes or less will not be considered tardy if they have a doctor’s note. Students missing more than 30 minutes will be considered absent for one-half day (Diocesan Policy 5113). Parents must accompany their child to the office to sign the child in/out for these appointments.
It is the responsibility of the student to check with his/her teacher(s) on the first day back from an absence regarding missed assignments and tests. Please note that it is not always possible for teachers to gather all missed assignments on the day of the absence. This is especially true for students rotate classes between several teachers (6-8 grades). Students will have an equal amount of days to make up the work as days absent, or as grading period deems necessary.
Unexcused Absences: While vacations can serve as learning experiences, it is recommended that if they occur during the school year, they should be scheduled around normal holiday breaks. Since class instruction and peer interaction can never be made up, a student’s progress may be impeded. If an unexcused absence is unavoidable, a parent/guardian is required to contact the office and classroom teachers in advance of the absence. Teachers may be able to provide some assignments in advance, but cannot be expected to do so. Students are still responsible for checking with their teacher(s) when they return to see if there is any work the need to make up.
Early Arrival: Two supervisors (teachers, aides, or Principal) will be on duty in the upper gym beginning at 7:45 a.m. to supervise those students. All students arriving earlier than 8:10 a.m. on a regular school day or 8:00 a.m. on a Mass day MUST report to the gym. If a student needs to be at school earlier that 7:45 a.m., he/she MUST be enrolled in the Extended Care Program.
Early Arrival Pre-K-8: Two supervisors (teachers, aides, or principal) will be on duty in the upper gym beginning at 7:45 a.m. to supervise students. All students arriving earlier than 8:10 a.m. on a regular school day or 8 a.m. on a Mass day MUST report to the gym. If a student needs to be at school earlier that 7:45 a.m., he/she MUST be enrolled in the Extended Care Program.
Early Dismissal: Whenever it is necessary to close school earlier than 3:00 p.m., the parents will be notified. Early dismissal dates for meetings are listed on the school calendar. Ordinarily, children are dismissed at 2:00 p.m. on the FIRST Monday of each month for faculty meetings. If school is closed due to inclement weather, parents will receive an School Messenger call. Please wait for the automated call or watch WSIL-TV to find out if school will be closed. Do not call the rectory or the teachers’ or Principal’s residences.
Tardy Policy: The academic progress of each student depends on the punctuality and regularity of his/her attendance at school. When a student is tardy, it interrupts the scheduled routine of the class. The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School day begins at 8:10 a.m. and concludes at 3:00 p.m. each day to meet the state requirements of a six and one-half hour day. Students are expected to arrive promptly to school or Mass. Students must be in their classroom or assigned area by 8:10 a.m. When students arrive after 8:10 a.m. and before 8:40 a.m. they are recorded tardy. When students arrive after 8:40 a.m., they will be recorded as absent for one-half day (Diocesan Policy #5113). ANY student arriving after 8:10 a.m. MUST be signed in by parent/guardian at the school office.
1. Three tardies may be accrued with no consequence to the student. The 4th tardy will result in
one lunch detention. A letter notifying the parents of the detention will be sent from the school
office.
2. The tardy tally will reset in January, and students will start the second semester with a clean
slate.
Non-Catholic Attendance: At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School, we welcome the attendance of non-Catholic students. We feel their attendance at our school strengthens ecumenical goals and adds diversity to our student population.
As set forth in the school philosophy statement, our school focuses on teaching Catholic doctrine, building Christian community by instilling Christ-like attitudes and values in our students, and teaching the importance of being of service to others. These goals are pursued with all students, Catholic and non-Catholic.
A part of our religious education program includes preparation for receiving the Sacraments of the Catholic Church; however, non-Catholics are not expected nor permitted to receive these Sacraments.
* Absenteeism and Truancy Policy PDF (2023 - 2024)