Attendance Policy - Salem High School

P-CCS Attendance Policy

Regular school attendance is essential to academic success. At Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (P-CCS), we believe students learn best when they actively participate in classroom instruction and discussion. Attendance is a shared responsibility between families and schools, and we are here to support every student’s success.

Legal Requirement

Michigan law (MCL 380.1561) requires all children ages 6–18 to attend school continuously and consecutively for the entire school year.

Shared Responsibility

Acceptable Reasons for Absence

Absences may be considered verified or documented under the following circumstances:

Personal illness or illness in the family
Medical appointments
Religious holidays or instruction
Funeral/death in the family
Mandatory court appointments
School-sponsored activities
Prearranged absences (college visits, vacations*)
Suspensions

* Vacations must be pre-approved with Form 5200F1 (3+ days) and may impact academic progress.

Definitions

Term	Definition
Documented Absence	Requires official documentation (e.g., doctor’s note, court notice)
Verified Absence	Parent/guardian has notified the school within 24 hours
Unverified Absence	No parent/guardian contact received
Truancy	Excessive unverified or total absences (see below)
Tardy	Late to class without an approved excuse
Truant	- 5+ consecutive unverified absences - 10+ total absences in 30 days - 30+ absences (verified or not) in one year

Notification Policies by Level

Elementary

Call school by 9:00 AM or use MiStar Parent Connection
Use attendance line (Option #2)

Middle School

Notify school by 9:00 AM (MiStar or phone)
Chronic tardiness or absences will involve administrative action

High School / Virtual Academy

Report absences within 2 days
Absences not verified by 2:00 PM will result in robocall
Use MiStar or call school’s Attendance Office
10+ total absences trigger intervention with assistant principal

Closed Campus Policy

Make-Up Work

Tardy Policy

Attendance Forms

FAQs

Q: What if my child is sick?
A: Keep them home! They must be fever/vomit-free for 24 hours before returning. Notify the school by phone or MiStar.

Q: Can a parent verify any absence?
A: Parents can verify full-day absences only. Class period absences during the day require documentation.

Q: How do I request homework for an absent student?
A: Email the teacher. Please allow 24 hours for requests after 3+ days of absence.

Q: Are family vacations excused?
A: Vacations are not condoned but can be pre-approved and verified using Form 5200F1. They still count toward the 10 allowable absences.

Q: What happens if my student exceeds the absence limit?
A: They may lose credit or receive interventions. An appeal can be submitted to the assistant principal.

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Attendance Office Contacts

School Level	Contact Method
Elementary Schools	Call school’s attendance line (Option 2) by 9:00 AM
Middle Schools	Call attendance office or use MiStar by 9:00 AM
High Schools	Call or use MiStar by 2:00 PM the day of the absence

Need Help? Contact your school’s main office or view the guide on how to report absences in MiStar (Google Doc).

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Reporting an Absence for your P-CEP student

Please call the student’s home school.

Canton High School Attendance Office
6:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. (734) 416-7501
2 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. (734) 354-1624 (automated, leave a message)

Plymouth High School Attendance Office
6:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. (734) 582-5545
2 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. (734) 354-1625 (automated, leave a message)

Salem High School Attendance Office
6:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. (734) 416-7810
2 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. (734) 354-1623 (automated, leave a message)

Be prepared to give the following information:

Student Name
Student ID NUMBER
Grade
Date of Absence
Reason for Absences
A daytime phone number to verify the call

Parents-Guardians are expected to notify the student’s home school the day a student is absent or by 7 a.m. the following day.

Calling into our Attendance Office is the only way to excuse an absence - NOTES ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

Unexcused absences are not acceptable and may result in disciplinary consequences ranging from detention(s) to suspensions.

No credit is granted for assignments/tests missed during UNEXCUSED absences.

Using the Automated Parent Notification System (APNS)

Parents will be informed of student's unexcused absences daily. In cases of extended absences, school personnel may require documentation to substantiate the reason for the absence. To avoid unnecessary calls, it is important to notify the home school about your child's absences prior to 2 p.m. on the day of the absence.

Leaving Campus

P-CEP is a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave campus without prior parent permission. Requests for an “Off Campus Permit” for appointments must be made by calling the Home School Attendance Office during school hours. Students may pick up their “Off Campus Permit” from any Attendance Office and must check back into any Attendance Office upon return.
DO NOT leave a request for an “Off Campus Permit” on the APNS system.

Students who do not follow this procedure will be considered unexcused. Unexcused absences are not acceptable and students may be assigned detention for unexcused absences. Please make arrangements with your student in advance for a time and place for pick-up of your student. Classes are interrupted to deliver messages to students only in emergency situations.

Additional Information

The K-12 Student Handbook contains the most up to date information about Philosophy, Policy, Excluded Exceptions, Chargeable Absences, Roles and Responsibilities of Students and Parents, Phone numbers and an "Attendance Definition of Terms."