Health Services

Attendance Policy

MPS recognizes that daily attendance is critical to academic achievement.  It is our goal to work with students, families, and communities to support regular school attendance and improve academic achievement.  Minnesota Law states that all students are required to attend school from age 7, or when they enter kindergarten (whichever comes first) until they are 18 years old.  A student's failure to attend school may lead to legal action for the parents/guardians and the student.  After nine (9) days of unexcused absences an educational neglect report can be sent to Hennepin County.

Excused Absences

• Doctor/Dentist Appointments
  • Whenever possible, please schedule appointments before and after school.  If you must schedule an appointment during school, the appointment will only be excused with a written note from the doctor.
• Illness
  • Students are allowed up to eight (8) total absences a year, or three (3) days in a row due to illness.  A doctor's note must be provided if your child is gone for more than eight (8) days over the school year, or three (3) days in a row.
  • Your child's health is important to us.  If you do not have health insurance or cannot afford to see a doctor please contact us.
• School Bus Problems
  • If your child misses school because the bus was late or did not show up at the bus stop, you must report this to the school the same morning.
• Religious Holidays/Cultural Observances
  • If your child will be gone due to a religious holiday or cultural observance, please notify the school in advance.
• Funeral
  • Students may be gone up to four (4) days a year because of a funeral.  If your child will be gone more than four (4) days please contact your child's School Social Worker.
• Family Emergency
  • Students may be gone up to three (3) days a year because of a family emergency.  If you child will be gone more than three (3) days please contact your child's School Social Worker.
• Family Activity
  • A student may be gone up to 5 days from school for a pre-approved family activity such as a vacation.  To get pre-approval from the school families must complete the following.
    • At least ten (10) days before leaving, inform your child's School Social Worker.
    • Before leaving, get your child's homework and agree that your child will finish the homework.
    • Make sure your child will not be gone for important tests.
    • Agree in writing that your child will miss no more than five (5) days of school.  All days of vacation after 5 will be considered unexcused.  

Immunizations

In order to attend class in Minneapolis Public Schools, students must show that they have had the required immunizations or that they are exempt.

Medications

Parents/Guardians asking school staff to give medications to their child must provide written permission every school year that has been signed by the parent/guardian and the child's health care provider.