Absences Up 50 Percent At LTHS

LA GRANGE, IL – Absences surged last year at Lyons Township High School, an issue that officials say they want to address.

Last school year, the school reported 2,678 discipline referrals for attendance issues. That's a 50 percent hike from the 2018-19 year, when the school recorded 1,786 referrals.

The school takes disciplinary measures after a student has more than seven excused absences, with medical issues and college visits exempted.

At Monday's school board meeting, Principal Jennifer Tyrrell said officials plan to recommit to attendance policies.

"Throughout the pandemic, we walked away from some of our handbook language around attendance," she said. "That's something that contributed a bit to the increase."

Tyrrell also blamed the issue, in part, on the lateness of buses on late start Wednesdays. That contributed to the lack of a "timely culture" on both of the school's campuses, she said.

Officials have changed the schedule for late start Wednesdays next school year, with the hope that buses will arrive on time.

Tyrrell said the school is taking action to deal with absences. Assistant principals, she said, have been calling families with students who have attendance problems.

Also, administrators and other employees are set to be in hallways before and after school and during passing periods. This should promote attendance and other good behaviors, Tyrrell said.

Board member Michael Thomas asked administrators about mental health days. In some cases, he said, students may have taken advantage of that benefit.

Tyrrell said mental health days are counted among the seven excused absences.

Leslie Owens, director of student services, said the school tracks mental health days.

"At Day 3, we have a process that triggers a phone call with the family and the student," she said. "If someone truly needs mental health days, we reach out and ask if they need more support."