Attendance Information
CPS ATTENDANCE POLICIES
(including explanations for excused vs. unexcused absences)
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ALWAYS PROVIDE A REASON FOR A STUDENT’S ABSENCE.
IMPORTANT: ABSENCES CAN ONLY BE EXCUSED FOR THE CPS APPROVED REASONS, LISTED BELOW.
CPS EXCUSED ABSENCES/TARDIES
Student illness
Death in the immediate family
Family emergency (must specify)
Observation of a religious holiday
Concern for student safety. Circumstances which cause reasonable concern to you for your child’s safety of health.
Other: Other situations beyond the control of the student (must specify).
TARDIES:
Onahan starts promptly at 7:45 am. Your child should be lined up outside their entrance door and ready to enter the building no later than 7:45 am. If your child does not enter through their assigned door with their classroom, they are considered tardy.
ABSENCES/TARDIES/EARLY DISMISSALS WILL NOT BE EXCUSED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
Doctor/Dentist/Orthodontist/etc. appointments, unless for an emergency. (Please make appointments during lunch/recess or after school.)
Other family functions.
Vacations or other travel.
Please note that by default all absences are listed as unexcused and can only be changed to an excused absence when the school receives proper notification from a parent or guardian using one of the 3 methods listed below (eAttendance, phone call or handwritten note).
* emails sent to homeroom teachers or the main office are not an approved form of reporting attendance *
To report your child absent, please USE ONE of the following 3 methods:
Method #1 – eAbsence via Smart Phone or Computer (PREFERRED)
∙ Log into ASPEN using your Login ID and password. (phone or computer)
∙ At the top left, select your absent child's name.
∙ Above your student’s name, locate the 3 small horizontal lines. Click and choose “Forms” from the drop down menu.
∙ Click the plus (+) sign and your child’s information will come up. (located on the right hand side)
∙ Scroll down and fill in the “Date of First Absence” field. You do not need to fill in “Date of Last Absence” for a one day absence.
∙ Select a REASON for the absence. (mandatory)
∙ In the last field, provide any other details you think we should know.
∙ Click, “Send Form”.
∙ You will receive confirmation that your request has been submitted and then a second email letting you know when the absence has been reviewed and excused.
*Repeat the steps above for each child that is absent.
Method #2 – Phone call to the Onahan Office
If you prefer to call to let us know your child will be absent, you can call the office at 773-534-1180. Press #2 for the Attendance Office. If you get voicemail, please leave ALL of the following information.
∙ Child’s name
∙ Your name AND relationship to the student
∙ The reason for the absence
∙ PLEASE NOTE: Without a reason for the absence, it will automatically be unexcused.
Method #3 – Handwritten/signed note sent to the Onahan office
You may send a handwritten note to school with your child. Have your child present the note to their homeroom teacher who will send it to the office. Please include ALL of the following information in the note:
∙ Child’s name
Date of absence(s)
∙ Your name AND relationship to the student
∙ The reason for the absence
∙ PLEASE NOTE: Without a reason for the absence, it will automatically be unexcused.
TO CORRECT YOUR CHILD’S PAST UNEXCUSED ABSENCES, PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
∙ On your Smart Phone or Computer, log into Aspen using your Login ID and password.
∙ At the top left, your student(s) names will be listed. Please make sure you have selected the correct student.
∙ Right above your student’s name, there will be 3 small horizontal lines. Click there and choose “Forms” from the drop down menu.
∙ Next, on the right side there will be a blue “+” sign. Click that plus sign and your child’s information will come up.
∙ Scroll down and find the field labeled “Existing Unexcused Absences”.
∙ Use that field to see all your child’s unexcused days.
∙ Fill in the date of the “Date of First Absence” you would like to correct. If there is only one date, you can choose the reason from the drop down menu, then hit “Send Form”.
∙ If there are multiple dates, also fill in the “Date of Last Absence” with the last date in the range.
∙ Choose the reason for the absences, then hit “Send Form”. PLEASE NOTE: You must do a separate submission for absences with different reasons.
∙ You will receive confirmation that your request has been submitted and then another email letting you know when the absence has been reviewed and excused.
If you have any further questions, please call the Onahan office at 773-534-1180.
For assistance with Parent Portal, please email [email protected]