Attendance

The following reasons are considered excused under Ohio law and Board policy:

• Student illness (may require a doctor's note)

• Family illness requiring the student’s presence

• Quarantine

• Death in the family (up to 18 school hours)

• Medical or dental appointments

• Religious observances

• Necessary work at home (students 14+ with Superintendent approval)

• College visits (requires documentation)

• Court appearances (requires documentation)

• Board-approved enrichment or extracurricular travel (up to 24 hours)

• Foster care placement or related court proceedings

• Homelessness-related absences

• Other circumstances approved by the Superintendent

• Oversleeping

• Missing the bus

• Weather (unless school is closed or Superintendent excuses the absence)

• Family vacation

• Any absence without valid documentation beyond 65 hours in a year

1. Log into the PowerSchool Portal. Remember, this option is only available on the web version of the Portal, not the PowerSchool app.

2. Click on “Attendance Monitor” on the left sidebar.

Need help? View the Attendance Monitor Help Doc.

Parents/guardians must send a written note to the attendance office before school begins. If a student becomes ill during the day, the student must visit the nurse, a counselor or an administrator to arrange dismissal.

Students must check in at the designated office or, at the High School, at a tardy kiosk. Tardies are excused only with valid reasons, such as medical appointments. Oversleeping or missing the bus are not excused, even with a parent note. Repeated unexcused tardies may lead to disciplinary action.

Yes. In accordance with state law and Board policy, students in grades K-12 may be excused for up to three religious expression days per school year. These days can be used for:

• Religious or spiritual holidays

• Faith-based observances or ceremonies

• Activities held by a religious denomination or spiritual organization

Key points to know:

• No academic penalty will be imposed for absences due to approved religious expression days.

• Absences for religious expression do not count toward a student’s total absence hours.

• Parents/guardians must submit written notice of up to three requested dates to the school principal within 14 days of the start of the school year (or within 14 days of enrolling if mid-year).

• The school will provide alternative accommodations for any missed assignments or assessments.

• Students may still participate in extracurriculars on these days.

• The District maintains a nonexhaustive list of major religious holidays to assist with planning, but absences will not be denied solely because a holiday is not on the list.

Students with strong attendance are more likely to succeed academically. While excused absences are sometimes necessary, missed instructional time cannot be fully replaced. Regular attendance ensures that students receive the full benefit of the Shaker Heights educational experience.

The District provides each student and their families with an attendance tracking magnet at the start of each school year. If you have not received your magnet, please contact your school's main office.