Attendance - Evanston Township High School District 202

Student Attendance Guidelines

Being present every day is one of the most important ways to stay on track and succeed at ETHS. When you attend school regularly, you build strong connections, keep up with classwork, and develop habits that will help you beyond high school. Consistent attendance isn't just about following rules—it's about showing up for yourself, your goals, and your community.

You belong at ETHS—and we want to see you every day.

Attendance Expectations

ETHS expects all students to:

Attend all scheduled classes every school day.
Arrive to class on time, ready to learn.
Notify your dean or counselor if there is an issue affecting your attendance.

Regular attendance is required by state law. Your attendance is closely monitored. Multiple absences, especially unexcused ones, can affect your grades, your eligibility for extracurriculars, and your ability to earn course credit toward graduation.

Report an Absence

Types of Absences

If your student will miss school due to illness, an appointment, a family emergency, or another reason, a parent/guardian must report the absence as soon as possible. Learn how to report an absence.

Excused Absence	Unexcused Absence
Absences are considered excused when they are reported by a parent/guardian with school-approved reasons, such as: Illness or medical appointments Religious holidays Family emergencies Death in immediate family Court appearances Mental health (5 days) Reasonable concern for student health or safety School-related absences (e.g. field trips, college visits, school activities/events)	Absences are considered unexcused when: No contact is made by a parent/guardian to report the absence The reason doesn't meet ETHS criteria for excusal A student leaves class or school without permission A false call or report is made by someone other than a parent/guardian or authorized adult
For more detailed information about approved reasons for excused absences, please review the Student Handbook.	Parents/guardians receive an email notification when a student is marked unexcused. Unexcused absences may affect grades and can lead to disciplinary action and loss of course credit.

Excused Absence

Unexcused Absence

Absences are considered excused when they are reported by a parent/guardian with school-approved reasons, such as:

Illness or medical appointments
Religious holidays
Family emergencies
Death in immediate family
Court appearances
Mental health (5 days)
Reasonable concern for student health or safety
School-related absences (e.g. field trips, college visits, school activities/events)

Absences are considered unexcused when:

No contact is made by a parent/guardian to report the absence
The reason doesn't meet ETHS criteria for excusal
A student leaves class or school without permission
A false call or report is made by someone other than a parent/guardian or authorized adult

For more detailed information about approved reasons for excused absences, please review the Student Handbook.

Parents/guardians receive an email notification when a student is marked unexcused. Unexcused absences may affect grades and can lead to disciplinary action and loss of course credit.

Partial Absences

Student Arriving Late

If a student will arrive late to school, a parent/guardian must notify the Attendance Office by 7:00am on the day of the late arrival. Learn how to report an absence at eths202.org/ReportAbsence.

Once the late arrival is reported, the student will receive a digital Late Arrival Pass via myETHS. The student will scan the pass when arriving at school. This pass is valid for 15 minutes before and after the expected arrival time. If the student arrives later than the approved window, they may be directed to the Attendance Office.

Students who arrive late to school without prior notification from a parent/guardian will be marked unexcused for any classes missed and tardy for the class they arrive to, if late.

Student Leaving Early

If a student needs to leave early, a parent/guardian must notify the Attendance Office by 7:00am on the day of the early departure. Learn how to report an absence at eths202.org/ReportAbsence.

Once the early departure is reported, the student will receive a digital Leave Early Pass via myETHS, valid for 15 minutes before and after the scheduled departure time. If the student is expected to return to school later that day, the return time will also appear. If a student leaves school (i.e. during lunch block) without following these steps, the absence will be marked unexcused.

Please note: The Attendance Office does not call into classrooms to retrieve students. Students are responsible for monitoring their scheduled leave time and checking out appropriately.

Going Home Sick

If a student becomes ill during the school day and visits the Nurses' Office, a nurse may determine that the student should go home.

During Class: Ask your teacher for a hall pass and report to the nurse.
During Passing Period: Report to your next class, ask for a pass, then go to the nurse.
If you arrive at the Health Office without a pass, the nurse may send you back for one, unless your illness or injury prevents it.

If the nurse believes you are well enough to return to class, your parent/guardian still has the option to excuse your absence.

Please note: Leaving the building due to illness without checking in with the nurse, or without an absence request submitted by a parent/guardian, will result in an unexcused absence.

If you are absent...

Missed Classwork and Assignments

If you miss class due to an absence (excused or unexcused), you will have twice the number of class blocks missed to make up assignments, projects, and assessments for full credit. Students are responsible for checking missed work and staying up to date. Be sure to:

Check Google Classroom or your teacher's page for assignments
Reach out to your teacher promptly with questions to schedule make-up work
Arrange a time to complete missed exams, quizzes, or lab work as required by your teacher

We understand that absences happen, but being in class matters. Do your best to be here—nothing replaces the learning and connections that happen in real time.

Absences and Extracurricular Participation

Being present in class is required to participate in extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, performing arts, and other after-school activities. If you are absent for more than half of your assigned classes on the day of a school activity (e.g. game, practice, performance, club meeting), you may not be eligible to participate that day. You must attend at least 50% of the school day in order to be eligible to participate. Exceptions can be made in special circumstances. Talk to your coach, sponsor, or dean if you have questions about how attendance impacts your eligibility.

Parent/Guardian Notification About Absences

ETHS is committed to keeping families informed about student attendance. Parents/guardians can check their student's attendance and tardies anytime in myETHS to stay up to date.

The table below outlines how and when we notify parents/guardians about unexcused absences:

When	How	Why It Matters
1 Unexcused Absence in Any Class	Email sent to parents/guardians	A first unexcused absence could be a one-time issue or a sign of a pattern starting.
2 Unexcused Absences in the Same Class	Email sent to parents/guardians	Shows repeated absences in the same class.
5 Unexcused Absences in the Same Class	Email sent to parents/guardians. If no email address is on file, notice is mailed home.	Student is one unexcused absence away from receiving a No Credit (NC) in that class.
6 Unexcused Absences in the Same Class	Email and/or mailed notice sent home. Student placed on No Credit (NC) status.	Student will not earn credit for the class unless they complete a credit recovery program.

To ensure you receive these updates, please keep your contact information current in the ETHS system. If you have questions about your student's attendance or need support navigating next steps, please contact your student's counselor or dean. We're here to help.

How Unexcused Absences Affect Course Credit

If you have six (6) or more unexcused absences in a class block during a semester, you will receive No Credit (NC) for that class, even if you have a passing grade. That means the course will not count toward your graduation requirements. Students who receive an NC may be required to retake the course or participate in an in-school credit recovery program.

Unexcused absences can also affect your eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities, including sports and clubs.

Only unexcused absences count toward an NC—excused absences do not. That's why it's important for a parent/guardian to report all absences to the Attendance Office so they can be properly documented.

To stay on track, we encourage you to regularly check your attendance record on Home Access Center (HAC) under the Attendance tab. If you're having trouble getting to school or keeping up with your classes, reach out to your counselor, dean, or social worker for support.

How Absences Add Up

Even a few absences each month can put you on track to be chronically absent. That’s why consistent attendance matters—every day adds up!

Chronic absenteeism = missing 10% of the school year.

Number of Absences	Total by End of Year	Chronic?
1 day/month	9 days	No
2 days/month	18 days	Yes
3 days/month	27 days	Yes
1 day/week	36 days	Yes

Report an Absence

Learn More

Tardy Policy

Student & family handbook

Contact Information

Attendance Office
S127

Phone: (847)424-7800
Email: attendanceoffice@eths202.org

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