Dear Families,

At Waukegan Public Schools, we recognize regular school attendance's crucial role in each student's academic success. As we approach the holiday season, we want to remind you of the importance of maintaining consistent attendance and to inform you of critical dates and policies. Please read below, and remember some of these important points when planning and planning a potential holiday family trip. 

Key Dates:

• The final day of student attendance before Winter Break is Friday, December 20.
• Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 7.

The school year calendar, available in both English and Spanish, can be accessed here.

We understand that the holidays are often a time for family travel and bonding. While these moments are valuable, we ask that families plan trips during scheduled school breaks to avoid disruptions to learning.

Attendance Policy Overview: Our policy allows for excused absences only in specific cases, such as illness or family emergencies. Vacations during the school year are not considered excused absences.

Potential Consequences of Unexcused Absences:

• Academic Impact: Missing class can lead to gaps in learning and difficulty keeping up with assignments.
•  Truancy Procedures: Continued unexcused absences could result in referrals to the Regional Office of Education.
•  Enrollment Review: In some cases, significant unexcused absences may require a review of your child's enrollment status.

We are committed to partnering with you to support your child’s educational journey. If an emergency or unavoidable situation arises, please communicate with your child’s school as early as possible to discuss potential accommodations.

For questions or support regarding attendance policies, feel free to reach out to your school’s administration or the attendance office. We appreciate your cooperation and partnership in ensuring your child’s success.

Thank you for making school attendance a priority.

Sincerely,
Waukegan Public Schools’ Office of Student Outreach