Families

Reporting Absences

If your child will be absent from school for any reason, please contact the office 608.783.4542 or email. You may also leave attendance information before and after office hours by leaving a voicemail. If leaving before the 3:20 dismissal time or for future absences, please inform your child's teacher. 

When emailing your child's teacher, please also include the office. The teacher may be gone and the sub does not have access to their email.

Please provide the following information when leaving a voice mail or sending a written note about your child's absence.

1. Your child’s name (FIRST and LAST NAME)
2. Your name
3. Teacher’s name
4. Nature of the absence (appointment, vacation, personal day or illness: *please be sure to include the symptoms your child has with illnesses ie; fever, upset stomach, sore throat etc.)

Attendance Letter

Attendance Policy Update 2024

Research indicates that students who miss fewer days at school perform better academically. We want the best for your child and therefore, we want to see your child at school unless one of the permitted reasons for absences exist.

Attendance information from the Northern Hills Parent/Student Handbook: 

The Basics So All Children Can Be Successful

Wisconsin public schools all abide by the same attendance laws (118.15). District Policies 3330, 3331, 3332, 3333, 3340, and 3341 further define Onalaska School District’s attendance guidelines.  Regular school attendance is directly linked to academic and future job success.  We want to work together to ensure accurate and consistent school attendance, and we will communicate with you and your child when attendance - excused or unexcused is concerning.  You also have daily access to attendance through PowerSchool. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the appropriate attendance secretary or your building principal.

Speak Up Speak Out App, an anonymous reporting tool that students can use to report incidents of cyberbullying, violence, drugs or weapons possession or other areas of school safety that a student might be concerned about. This certainly doesn't replace the traditional approach of a student sharing these types of concerns with a trusted adult at home or school; however, it does provide another option. 

Students should be aware that if a report is made outside of school hours, there will not be an immediate response at that time (e.g. this is not a 911 response).  School personnel will follow up with students and investigate during the next school days.  Likewise, immediate concerns during the school day should be reported directly to a school administrator or counselor to ensure the fastest response.  The App simply provides another venue for students to have voice.

Speak Up Speak Out Wisconsin Form