Attendance

Regular attendance supports student learning and success. We understand that absences happen, and we are here to help families report missed time, submit documentation, and access support when needed.

Report an Absence or Submit Documentation

Use ParentSquare to report an absence, tardy, or early dismissal and to upload medical notes or other attendance documentation.

REPORT AN ABSENCE OR SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION

Prefer to call? Attendance Line: (513) 686-1707

Need help? View the ParentSquare attendance tutorial.

Need Help?

Have a question about your student’s attendance?

Use the button below to find contact information for your student’s school.

View School Contact Information

Automated Absence Notifications

If your student is marked absent and the school has not received an explanation, you will receive an automated notification through ParentSquare within two hours of the start of the school day. Please respond through ParentSquare so the attendance record can be updated.

Understanding Attendance

Ohio attendance requirements distinguish between chronic absenteeism and habitual truancy. Although both are based on missed instructional time, they are calculated differently.

Chronic Absenteeism

Includes all missed instructional time
Includes excused, unexcused and medically documented absences
A student is considered chronically absent after missing 10% or more of the instructional time offered during the school year

Chronic absenteeism counts all absences.

Ohio law requires that families be notified before a student has missed 5% of the instructional hours required by law.

Habitual Truancy

Includes only unexcused missed instructional time
Thresholds include:
- 30 consecutive hours
- 42 hours in one school month
- 72 hours in one school year

Habitual truancy counts unexcused absences only.

Ohio law requires notification if one of these thresholds is passed.

How Attendance Is Tracked

Student attendance is tracked in minutes of instruction, not simply by full or partial school days. Full-day absences, late arrivals, early dismissals and time missed during the school day all contribute to a student’s total missed instructional time.

Every minute of missed instructional time may contribute to chronic absenteeism, whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

Absence Types & Documentation

Attendance Type	What It Means	What Families Should Know
Excused Absence	A student misses all or part of the school day, the parent or guardian notifies the school, and the reason meets the requirements outlined in Board policy. This may include a full-day absence, late arrival, early dismissal or time missed during the school day.	Excused absences still count toward chronic absenteeism.
Unexcused Absence	A student misses all or part of the school day, but the reason provided does not meet the requirements for an excused absence under Board policy.	Unexcused absences count toward both chronic absenteeism and habitual truancy.
Unverified Absence	A student is marked absent, but the school has not received communication from a parent or guardian explaining the absence.	Until the school receives an explanation, the missed time is recorded as unexcused and may count toward both chronic absenteeism and habitual truancy.
Approved Non-Absence	Certain approved instructional or school-sponsored activities may be recorded as non-absences. Examples may include field trips, school-sponsored competitions and other approved activities during the school day.	Grades 9-12: Preapproved college, career and military visits may also be recorded as non-absences when required documentation is submitted.

Important: Late arrivals, early dismissals and time missed during the school day are included in attendance calculations. Whether the missed time is excused or unexcused depends on the reason and applicable Board policy.

Attendance Support

Sycamore Schools uses early communication and a collaborative approach to address attendance concerns before missed instructional time significantly affects student learning.

Notification or Support	When It May Occur	What Families Should Know
Building Attendance Problem-Solving Meeting	The school will request a meeting when missed instructional time is affecting a student’s learning or attendance has reached a concerning level.	The student, family and school staff will work together to identify barriers, develop an Attendance Success Plan, and establish goals for improving attendance.
District Attendance Problem-Solving Meeting	Additional district support may be requested when a building-level attendance plan is not resulting in sufficient progress.	The family, student, school staff and district representatives will work together to identify additional strategies, set clear outcomes, and monitor progress.

Additional Attendance Information

Some absences and attendance situations require advance notice, documentation or administrative approval. Families should contact the school as early as possible when planning an extended absence or requesting a specialized attendance arrangement.

Attendance Situation	What Families Should Know
Religious Expression Days	Ohio law allows students up to three religious expression days per school year when a parent or guardian provides written notice to the school. These are treated as excused absences; however, the missed instructional time still contributes to chronic absenteeism.
Medical Appointments	Ohio law no longer recognizes medical absence as a separate category. However, families are encouraged to submit medical documentation of appointments attended. We utilize this documentation to inform decisions on whether problem-solving meetings are needed.
College, Career and Military Visits (Grades 9-12)	Preapproved college, career or military visits may be recorded as non-absences when documentation confirming attendance is submitted. Families should contact the school before the visit to confirm approval and documentation requirements.
Preplanned or Extended Absences	Families should notify the school as early as possible when a student will miss multiple days. The absence may require administrative review, and its classification will be determined according to Board policy.
Chronic or Ongoing Medical Needs	Families of students with chronic physical or mental health conditions are encouraged to communicate with the school and submit relevant documentation. School staff may work with families and medical providers to identify individualized attendance and instructional supports.

View Attendance Board Policy
View the Student Handbook

Religious Expression Days

As required by Ohio Law, Sycamore Community Schools adopted a policy on June 24, 2026, that reasonably accommodates a student’s sincerely held religious beliefs and practices for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief systems.

Students in grades kindergarten through 12 will be excused for up to three religious expression days per school year to take holidays for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief systems, or participate in activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church or other religious or spiritual organization. No academic penalty will be imposed on a student who is absent for such reasons in accordance with this policy and all requirements of State law

To request these days off, a parent or guardian must notify the school within 14 school days of the start of the school year, or within 14 days of a new student enrolling. Notice can be given in person, by mail, or by email to the school's attendance address.

If a religious expression day conflicts with a test or academic activity, the school will work with the family to find a solution.

Students are permitted to participate in interscholastic athletics or other extracurricular activities on a religious expression day.

Religious expression days are considered excused absences.

View Religious Expression Days

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