Things to do at the Habitual TruancyNotification Meeting…

• Have parent/s guardians sign your copy of the Notification Meeting letter.• Verify current address and phone numbers for parents/guardians/students.• View the Habitual Truancy power point presentation with parents/guardians.• Problem solve:

– Find out the “why’s” of the student missing school.– How does the student get to school? Bus? Parents? Ride?– Is there a problem getting up? Getting to sleep?– Are there any health considerations to be made?– Testing options?– School psychologist referral?

• Consider alternatives proposed by parents.• Enter plan agreed upon into behavior history screen or make copy and place

in student’s file. Give/mail parents/guardians a copy.• Make sure parents understand that all or part of five more days in one period

or 20 more classes missed from that day will result in a referral to the Nebo Attendance Court or Fourth District Juvenile Court. (The District is also bound by the law and must refer violations.)

• Provide a resource list to parents for outside services if needed. (See “Community resource list” under “Parent Information:” tab on the web.)

NOTIFICATION MEETINGFOR HABITUAL TRUANCY

Revised 8-12-15 Revised 8-12-15

What is habitual truancy?

Missing classes without a legitimate, LEGAL reason.

What is an excused absence under Utah Law?

• Illness

• Family emergency

• Approved school activity

• Doctor, dentist, orthodontic, counseling appointment (these are still encouraged to take place outside of school hours)

• Family vacation (as long as the vacation does not jeopardize the academic progress of the student…should be pre-approved)

• Funeral of family member or close family friend

• Otherwise excused by a healthcare or accommodation plan or IEP

(Excessive excused absences may addressed by school administrator if they affect the academic progress of the student.)

Utah Law says that:

• Students between the ages of 6 and 18 must be enrolled in school

and that their parents must enroll them.• Students 12-17.99 yrs. of age may be held responsible if they are

not in school regularly. • Administrators may appropriately choose not excuse an absence if it

is determined the absence(s) will be detrimental to the academic progress of the student.

• Parents who fail to enroll their student (6-18 yoa), or who fail to meet with school administrators to address their students attendance problems may be charged by the Utah County Attorney’s Office with a Class B Misdemeanor. (Parents may be held responsible for students 6-13.99 yrs of age.who are not attending school regularly.)

(Please note: Schools need only call or mail parents; certified letters are not required by law.

A Class B Misdemeanor may be punishable by 6 mos. in jail and/or $1000.00 fine.)

• Students 12-17.99 yrs. of age are responsible to be in every class, every day, on time.

• Failure to do so may result in a habitual truancy citation being issued.

• Habitual truancy citations may be referred to Nebo Attendance Court, or the Fourth District Juvenile Court.

• Students will be fined $50.00 for Habitual Truancy (They may request $25.00 reimbursement for every 45 days of perfect attendance.)

• Your school may have additional school consequences for unexcused absences, tardies, detention makeups, etc.

HABITUAL TRUANCY INFORMATION…HABITUAL TRUANCY INFORMATION…

ParentsParents

ChildrenChildren

EducationEducation

The goal of parents and educators is to have happy, productive, educated children.

What happens after today?• Your student must have a doctor’s note to be excused, OR the student must be seen at the

school by an administrator or office personnel to verify illness in order to be excused. (This is the same procedure required by the Court.)

• Your student attends school every day every class on time and succeeds so there is no further legal action.

• You and your student must pay $30.00 for the Truancy Prevention Class and at least one parent must attend this one time class with their student.

• We hope that your student is successful and that the plan made today is followed…

• However, if your student has 5 unexcused absences in one particular class period or an additional 20 unexcused during the rest of the school year, an Administrative Meeting will be held and a Habitual Truancy Citation issued as per Utah Law.

• Your student will be fined $50.00, and may be referred to the Nebo Attendance Court or the Fourth District Juvenile Court.

• If parent(s)/guardian(s) fail to attend the Administrative Meeting, truancy citations may be hand delivered to the student and/or mailed to parent(s)/guardian(s).

Generally these citations will be referred to Juvenile Court and the student will not be given the option of the Nebo Attendance Court.

Let’s work together for your child’s success!

What is the

Nebo Attendance Court?A voluntary program that may be offered to you and your student that:• Has a volunteer attorney that acts as judge pro-tem.• All parties sign a written agreement to participate. (Student/parent can request $25.00

reimbursement of the $50.00 Habitual Truancy fine for every 45 days of perfect attendance)

• Students and at least one parent must come every other week to a hearing to report on student’s progress.

• Participation may be ordered by the Juvenile Court Judge, or recommended by the Utah County Attorney.

• Parents/students/trackers/teachers/administrators monitor progress at school.• It is primarily the parents and students responsibility to weekly track attendance and

grades.• Students/parents who do not comply with the voluntary agreement or who continue to miss

school and/or have poor grades are referred to the 4th District Juvenile Court.

DO NOT CALL THE CITY OR COURT OFFICES. You will be mailed/called as to when to

appear for your hearing by the Nebo District Attendance Court Office (801) 354-7472Salem City Council RoomSalem City Council Room30 West 100 South30 West 100 SouthSalem, UTSalem, UT

Springville City Justice CourtSpringville City Justice Court50 South Main50 South MainSpringville, UTSpringville, UT

Payson City Justice CourtPayson City Justice Court429 W Utah Avenue429 W Utah AvenuePayson, UTPayson, UT