Robbinsdale Area Schools

Plymouth

Middle School

Attendance

Attendance is one of the most powerful predictors of academic achievement and having your student in their seat, ready to learn for the entire school day will benefit them, their classmates, and our whole school community. Let’s work together to make sure your student has great attendance and can get the most out of their learning opportunities this school year. 

OUR PROMISE TO YOU 

We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school. 

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU 

If your student is going to be absent, please contact the school in advance. If an absence was unplanned, please contact the school within two school days of your student’s return. 

Plymouth Middle  School hours: 9:20 a.m. - 4:05 p.m.
Tardy: up to 10 minutes per class;
Class Period Absence: over 10 minutes per class;
Partial Day Absence: 3 period absences;
Full Day Absence: 7 period absences. 

HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER 

  • Send your student to school unless they are truly sick, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a contagious rash.

  • Avoid appointments and travel when school is in session. 

  • Keep track of your student's attendance using Infinite Campus or another method.

  • Set a regular bedtime and morning routine (including limiting how late your student may use any electronic devices) and finish homework and pack backpacks the night before. 

  • Have a back-up plan for getting to school in case something comes up (this could be alternative bus routes, roads, or a plan with family members, neighbors, or other parents). 

  • Communicate with the school about how we can work together to support your student's attendance. 

    • Attendance Line: 763-504-7110

OUR DUTIES UPON A STUDENT’S ABSENCES 

  • If your student has 3 unexcused absences, state law requires we send a letter explaining truancy.

  • If your student has more than 7 unexcused absences, we are required to report your child to Hennepin County’s Be@School program for support and education. If you have provided a doctor’s note or pre-arranged an absence, and a plan is in place so your child does not fall behind academically, a referral is not required.

  • If your student has 12 unexcused absences in any school year and our support and interventions haven’t helped get your student to school consistently, we are required to file again with Be@School.

  • If your student has 17 or more unexcused absences in any school year, we are required to report again with Be@School, if you have not responded to outreach or have declined voluntary services the case will be sent to Child Protection intake. We want to help our families get the help they need before this situation.

  • If your student has 9 cumulative absences in any school year, the school will initiate contact regarding the impact of attendance on your child’s academic progress.

  • If your student has 12 cumulative absences in any school year, the school will send a letter requiring documentation for your child’s absences to be considered excused. Documentation that may excuse absences can include

    • a note from a health professional stating your child cannot attend school
    • documentation demonstrating family emergency