Dear District 207 Families and Students,
Welcome back! We’re so glad to have every student back in our classrooms and school communities. Last year, our Every Day Counts focus led to real gains in daily attendance. Thank you for making that happen. This year, we’re continuing that work and adding a few new supports that are briefly outlined below (if you want more detail, please visit our website).
Our Attendance Expectation: 95%
Students are expected to maintain at least 95% attendance (no more than one absence per month, excused or unexcused). Consistent attendance is closely linked to stronger academic outcomes and a stronger sense of belonging.
What’s Continuing
- Extracurricular Eligibility – Start of the Year: Students must be in school and on time to practice, perform, or compete that day (students absent from school or excessively tardy (10 minutes or more) for more than two scheduled blocks are not eligible to actively practice, perform or compete that day).
- Social Privileges – Start of the Year: 90% on-time/present rate is required district wide for Homecoming, Prom, senior celebrations and athletic events. At Maine South, parking is included.
- Same Day Absence Reporting: Parents should contact the school on the day of an absence, or it will be recorded as unexcused.
- Automated Detentions – Begins September 8th: Assigned every fifth unexcused absence or excessive tardy (10+ minutes).
New and Updated
- Tardy Detentions – Begins September 8th: Every fifth unexcused tardy to 1st or 2nd period will also result in an automated detention. When a PACE bus is late, a student should get a late bus tardy pass from security upon entry to avoid being marked tardy.
- Senior Off-Campus Lunch – Start of the Year: Earned by maintaining 95% attendance (excused and unexcused) and no failing grades.
- Clearer Make-Up Work Guidelines: Students returning from an absence are expected to initiate communication with their teacher, complete missed assessments, and turn in work that was due while they were out. Work assigned on the day of the absence/missed class will have at least one class meeting extension, but will not be accepted after the unit summative.
- Attendance Support Plans: We are introducing Attendance Support Plans for students with inconsistent attendance patterns. This is a collaborative, individualized approach that brings together students, families and school staff to identify barriers and build a path toward consistent attendance.
- New Celebrations and Incentives: The school will recognize and celebrate students for showing up and being on time— more exciting details will come from your school.
For full details on these systems, visit the district website.
Thank you for partnering with us as we welcome students back. Every day is a new opportunity to show up for one another – and every day counts.
Every Day Counts!