Dear St. Mary Families,
As we prepare for the 2025–2026 school year, I want to take a moment to communicate some important updates regarding school attendance.
St. Mary Catholic School is fully accredited by the State of Indiana and, as such, we are required to follow and report attendance data in compliance with state guidelines. With the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 482, new regulations regarding student attendance are being implemented in all Indiana schools—public and private. These changes are designed to address chronic absenteeism and habitual truancy and have important implications for how we record and report absences.
Key Highlights of the New Law:
1. All Absences Are Counted:
Even when an absence is requested or approved by a parent or guardian, it will still be counted against the student’s total number of absences. Previously excused absences (such as for family travel or certain school-sponsored activities) are no longer excluded from this count.
2. Exempt Absences Remain Limited:
Only specific situations—such as military duty, serving as a page for the Indiana General Assembly, or religious observances—are exempt and will not count against a student’s attendance record.
3. Chronic Absenteeism:
A student is now considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year, regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. This includes both full-day and partial-day absences.
4. Habitual Truancy:
A student is classified as habitually truant if they accumulate 10 or more unexcused absences throughout the school year and will be flagged by the state.
Our School Policy and Communication Requirements:
We will be strictly enforcing the attendance expectations outlined in our Parent-Family Handbook. Please keep the following in mind:
All absences must be reported to the school office. While it is helpful to notify your child’s teacher, it is required that a parent or guardian also call the school office or email one of the following:
Ms. Rachel Duckworth at [email protected]
Mrs. Traci Gates (School Secretary) at [email protected]
Doctor's Note Requirement:
Any student who is absent for three or more consecutive days is required to submit a doctor’s note upon return.
Tardies and Early Dismissals:
Tardiness and early dismissals also impact attendance records and will be monitored closely under the updated policy.
We understand that family situations vary, and there may be times when an absence is necessary. Our goal is to work with families to support student well-being while fulfilling our responsibility to ensure consistent attendance and compliance with state regulations.
Thank you for your partnership as we continue to provide a faith-filled, academically excellent education for your child. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Registration: All registration must be completed via PowerSchool. This year, a mandatory registration fee is in place, which has been paid by many families already. If you have not yet paid, the registration fee will be included on your family statement. The fee amounts to $35 per student or $70 per family.
BIO-Update Reminder: If you have not completed the 25.26 bio-update, you will receive an email notification. This update is crucial as it ensures PowerSchool accurately enrolls your child(ren) for the academic year. Over the next few weeks, we will be contacting you to ensure this step is completed promptly. St. Mary is a state-accredited school, and accurate student attendance numbers are essential. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in this matter!
Additional information required for student records: All students should have a copy of his/her birth certificate and current immunization record on file.
Legal documentation of Custody: The State requires that the school maintain a copy of all documentation pertaining to any court ordered custody or guardianship pertaining to all enrolled students at St. Mary. If this pertains to your child, please make sure the school has a copy of all legal documentation pertaining to custody or guardianship of your child.
2024 1040 Tax Information: If you have a child enrolled in PK4 through 8th grade, you may qualify for an Indiana Choice Scholarship or SGO (Scholarship Granting Organization), and we require a copy of your 2024 1040 tax form. Please provide only the page that indicates your child as a dependent and shows your adjusted gross income. Once we receive this information, we will promptly assist in completing the necessary paperwork and send it to you for signatures. Timely submission is crucial due to application deadlines. You can send the document via email to [email protected] or deliver a physical copy to the school office.