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ATTENDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance in Wisconsin Connections Academy is performance-based, as logged by the Learning Coach on the on-line system. It is measured not only by marking attendance (P for present), but also by the successful submission of lessons, assessments, talking with the teachers, attending virtual class, etc.
Wisconsin Statute 118.40(8)(g) outlines procedures for both compulsory school attendance and for students who fail to participate. The statute provides that the third time in the same semester that a virtual charter school pupil fails to respond appropriately to a school assignment or directive from instructional staff within five school days, not only will the parent/guardian be notified, but the following will occur:
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Appleton Area School District’s Board of Education will be notified.
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The school board of the pupil’s local resident school district will be notified
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The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will be notified.
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The Appleton Area School District may transfer the pupil to the pupil’s resident school district. (Pupils who reside within the boundaries of the Appleton Area School District will be transferred to their home school within the district boundaries.)
ATTENDENCE RECORDING
Learning Coaches will use the following attendance marking codes in Connexus:
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“P” (present)
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“E” (excused absence) should be marked by your student’s teacher
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“V” (vacation) is to only be used when school is officially not in session as determined by the school calendar
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“N” (no education activity) is to only be used on weekends
If your student is unable to attend school, please email your teacher letting him/her know of the circumstance. Students are only allowed 5 excused absences per semester. On Friday of each week, please verify that you have taken attendance for the entire week. If attendance is not current, your student’s attendance will become locked and you will be referred to Mrs. Mueller; the school’s administrator.
If your family is going on vacation and not schooling during the vacation, Learning Coaches are required to complete a Notification of Absence Due to Family Trip (click the icon below) one week prior to leaving. Forms can be found in the virtual library under My School: Wisconsin or accessed through the pdf icon provided here.
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Please email the completed form to
Winter Giese.
FAILURE TO PARTICIPATE DETAILS
Even though your child is enrolled in a virtual school, attendance can become an issue. Failure to Participate notices are issued at WCA when a student is not meeting one or more of the requirements of the program. While this will never become a concern for most families, each year a number of students do receive Failure to Participate violations.
Due to Wisconsin State Statute 118.40(8)(g), a student who receives three notices within one semester will be withdrawn from WCA. The student will be transferred to the local public school.
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The following reasons are the most common, but not the only areas that lead to Failure to Participate notices at WCA. It is important to understand these requirements from the beginning of the year to avoid any potential problems.
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Overdue Assignments: Students should be keeping up with their daily schedules. However, WCA understands that circumstances may arise which cause a student to fall behind. Therefore, WCA allows some flexibility with overdue lessons. A Failure to Participate notice may be issued to students who have excessive overdue lessons.
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Virtual Class Attendance: Students are required to attend at least two virtual classes per week (one needs to be a math lesson). Again, WCA understands that circumstances may arise (illness, loss of internet connection) which do not allow a student to attend a virtual class. Each semester, all students will be allowed five missed classes of virtual class attendance. Missed classes after that will result in a Failure to Participate violation. Regarding attendance, students must not only make every effort possible to attend the virtual classes, but must arrive on time for their classes as well. Tardiness to class by definition means being a few minutes late to class, and not in excess of five (5) minutes, or it will be considered an unexcused absence. Attendance will be taken at the beginning and also at the end of the class to verify that the student attended the entire time. ​
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Note: Students may be required to attend multiple virtual class and/or labs per week due to grades or performance. These students will be notified of the additional requirements. Students are not allowed to miss required classes and/or labs due to grades or performance without pre-approval.
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Contact with Teachers: WCA requires verbal communication teachers/staff on a regular basis. Teachers will be contacting each student when necessary. If a teacher’s communication attempts to contact a student are not returned, a student may receive a notice. ​
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Academic Probation: All students are required to meet certain academic standards. In order to monitor student progress and ensure all students are meeting reasonable academic expectations, WCA will conduct Academic Progress Checks. If any students earning two or more failing grades in any classes at the time of an Academic Progress Check, they will be placed on Academic Probation and will be notified with a warning letter. Students will be required to attend multiple virtual classes and/or labs per week due to grades or performance. These students will be notified of the additional requirements. Students are not allowed to miss required classes and/or labs due to grades or performance without pre-approval. By the next Academic Progress Check, if a student is still earning two or more failing grades in any classes, WCA may issue a failure to participate notice.
Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher if you have any questions. Again, while most students will never receive a notice, it is important to understand guidelines and consequences of Failure to Participate notices in the virtual setting.