Policies & Procedures

• At Meadowlark, we want all children to be successful in their educational experience, unhampered by extensive absenteeism or tardies. Utah compulsory attendance laws require every school age child to be in school. Baby-sitting, helping with housework, running errands, lack of transportation, alarm clock problems, or visiting relatives are not acceptable excuses. Appointments with doctors, should whenever possible, be arranged after school hours. 

• Meadowlark Elementary school day begins at 7:45 AM and attendance is recorded at 7:55 AM. Students arriving late MUST check in at the main office. When a child is absent, the parent or guardian is required to send a written explanation. If the child misses three or more consecutive days the illness must be verified, in writing, by the child’s physician. If your child must be out of school please notify the school by 8:00 AM. If your child comes home unannounced, please contact the school immediately.

• In the Salt Lake City School District:

1. After five (5) or more days of unexcused absences (or equivalent class periods) within a school year, a First Truancy Notification will be issued requesting parent support with ensuring their student attends school every day.

2. After ten (10) or more days of unexcused absences (or equivalent class periods) within a school year, a Second Truancy Notification will be issued. Parents must schedule a conference with school officials to attempt to resolve the student's attendance issues.

3. A student is considered to be "habitually truant" when he/she has received two or more truancy citations within a school year.

4. After fifteen (15) or more days of unexcused absences (or equivalent class periods) within a school year, a Third Truancy Notification and Notice of Pre-Court Hearing will be issued requiring an appearance at a Pre-Court Hearing. Parents or guardians with students under the age of 12, including school information, may be referred to Salt Lake County District Attorney. Students older than 12 years of age, including school information, may be referred to the Third District Juvenile Court.

When the temperature outside is below 20° we will call an inside recess. If the temperature is below 20° in the morning, an announcement will be made at 8:15am and students will be allowed to stay in gym until the school day begins. The red, yellow and green designations we hear about in the media typically relate to driving conditions and wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. The information schools have been instructed to pay attention to is the particulate levels and health advisories. If the particulate matter in the air exceeds 90, all children will stay inside. If the particulate matter is between 35 and 55 and the temperature is in excess of 20°, students will be allowed to go outside. If the particulate matter is in excess of 55, students who are sick will be encouraged to stay inside. If your student is ill or suffers from a medical condition such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, has a compromised immune system or other respiratory problems, please notify your child’s teacher and we will make arrangements for him/her to stay in from recess and read. If this is an ongoing medical situation, a doctor’s note may be required. We will be monitoring the temperature and air quality on a daily basis at http://www.airquality.utah.gov/. Please remember that children need an opportunity to get outside, run-around and expend their energy when weather permits. Also, the Salt Lake City School District and the State of Utah require that schools provide recess for all elementary aged students as part of their wellness policy. Please encourage your children to dress warm as we do live in Utah and experience vast swings in temperatures. We are constantly working to create a healthy and safe, academically rich educational.