Attendance Policy
 At Cleveland Junior High we expect our students to be in school.  Coming to school is the single most important first step that you can take to be a good student.  Last year our students and parents improved school attendance. We had the best junior high school attendance in St. Paul.  We believe it is the combined effort of our teachers, our support staff and our parents.  We also credit our students who are showing us, that they respect their school and their teachers through excellent school attendance.

As adults, we must ensure that our children are coming to school. This is the first most important action step we can take to ensure that our students develop the skills to be successful in school

As a student, you have the unique job of caring about yourself and about your future.  The taxpayers in your community combined with funding from state and federal governments have provided for you, free and equal access to a quality education. It is your job to take advantage of that offer and come to school.  If you do that, you will be a successful learner.  If you do not attend school you will be hurting yourself and you will be breaking the law.  

School attendance is mandatory in the state of Minnesota.  At Cleveland, we have an attendance team, this team meets once a week to discuss any student who is avoiding school or missing school. If you are avoiding school or you are the parent of a student who is avoiding school for whatever reason, please contact someone you trust at the school immediately.  We can help.  

The paragraphs below outline the consequences for poor school attendance.  Remember school is the student’s responsibility from ages 12 to 18.  If you fail to attend the consequences will also be yours for your lifetime. 

Be in school, in uniform, everyday, on time. 

Jill Gebeke
Principal
Cleveland Junior High School
1000 Walsh Street
Saint Paul, MN  55106
651-293-8880
jill.gebeke@spps.org



Definition of truant:
A child between the ages of 12 and 16 is considered truant if he or she is absent without legal excuse for three or more class periods on three days. 

Excused absences: Acceptable excuses include:
  • Sickness
  • Doctor’s visit including mental health
  • Religious holiday
  • Extreme family emergency

    • Invalid excuses (examples):

  • Staying home to baby-sit or Care for Adult
  • Work/rest because of work
  • Travel
  • Needed at home
  • Cold Weather
  • Missed the bus
  • Child is not immunized
  • No uniform
    •  
    If you have been absent and you think that your absence will not be excused please arrange to see Ms Saxton. 

    The Goal:
    It is the goal of the Ramsey Count Attorney’s Office to end truancy. TIP utilizes a three-step process to combat truancy.

    First step:  an assistant county attorney meets with students who have attendance problems and with their parents. 

    At the meeting two major points will be emphasized:

  • Parents should send their children to school to improve the children’s quality of life.
  • Education is as essential as food, clothing, and shelter in a child’s life.

    • Second step: If attendance problems continue, the at risk students and parents will be given special attention at a School Attendance Review Team (SART) hearing. A contract will be negotiated with the student and parent.

  • the central message of the contract will be the parent’s obligation to send the student to school and the child’s obligation to attend school.

    • The student will continue to be monitor by the school and the TIP office for improved school attendance.

    Third step:  If the SART hearing does not result in improved school attendance, the County Attorney’s Office will prosecute the student, the parents, or both.


    Consequences for Violation of Compulsory School Attendance Laws:

  • Parents of the truant could be fined
  • Students ages 12-16 could lose their driving privileges until their 18th birthday Students who are 14 or older who have been through TIP who find themselves in truancy court will lose their driving privileges.
  • Students can be fined up to $100.00
  • Students may be placed on probation supervision with the child staying in the home and school.
  • Court ordered to participate in the Intensive Truancy Program
  • A student could be removed from his or her home, placed in a foster home, group home or shelter.
  • A student could be placed in a short-term residential facility, e.g. Camp St. Croix, Chisholm House or a shelter. 
  • A student could be placed in long-term residential treatment.
  • A student could be placed under court ordered house arrest. 

    • Sherry Saxton,
    Attendance Liaison,
    Cleveland Junior High School
    Phone Number 651-293-8880
    sherry.saxton@spps.org