Regulations on absences and leaves of absence for pupils - Subject Matter

1. This regulation governs the absences and leaves of all students who are subject to the school legislation.

2. The specific provisions of the school legislation remain reserved.

1. Parents must promptly report absences to the responsible teacher and provide an explanation.

2. The report can be made orally or in writing.

3. For an absence exceeding five school days, parents are required to provide a written explanation. The teacher may also request a written explanation for shorter absences. In the case of absence due to an accident or illness, the responsible teacher may, in exceptional cases (e.g., in cases of repeated or prolonged absence), request a medical certificate from the parents. The teacher forwards these documents to the school administration or the school board upon request.

4. Absences that are not justified within three days of the absence are considered unexcused. Exceptions are made for valid reasons for the omission.

5. The responsible teacher reports unexcused absences to the parents and the school board presidency, unless the school board decides otherwise.

6. Each teacher keeps track of absences. They record excused and unexcused absences as excused and unexcused absences in the report card.

1. Decisions regarding leave of absence for the beginning of the school year are made by the school board. Parents must submit a leave request to the school board in a timely manner and provide justification for it.

1. Leave for the Alpine period is only granted for family-owned Alpine operations; specifically, starting no earlier than the day of the Alpine ascent and lasting no longer than the end of the school year.

1. In the case of exceptional talents, leave of absence may be granted for attending special training camps and courses, additional intra- and extracurricular offerings, as well as for participating in national and international competitions.

1. Leave for the Highest Holidays of Various Religions is Possible when the Parents or the Student as Members of a Religious Community Observe Special Holidays.

1. Concerning the Exemption from Attending Individual Subjects for Important Reasons, the Decision is Made by

a) the responsible teacher, if the exemption lasts no longer than six months

b) the school board, in all other cases

2. The parents must attach the necessary documentation for review to the application; Article 2, paragraph 3 applies accordingly.

3. The exemption is to be limited; it is generally granted for a maximum of the current school year's duration.

1. Pupils of foreign nationality may attend lessons in their native language and culture. The decision regarding attendance rests with the parents, who must communicate their decision to the class teacher.

2. If the lessons in native language and culture overlap with regular class lessons, the pupils are exempt from attending the regular class.

3. This exemption applies to a maximum of half a day per week.

4. Attendance and any grades received shall be recorded in the report card. However, absences shall not be noted.

1. Students may be exempted from French classes

a) if they have adapted learning objectives in German or English

b) if their average grade in the subjects German and English is insufficient and an overall assessment of the student indicates that attending French classes is not deemed sensible

2. Exemption for students pursuant to letter a may occur in the context of the transition from the 6th grade to secondary school.

3. Otherwise, exemptions shall occur no earlier than after one year of school attendance at the secondary level. The exemption is granted by the class teacher with the consent of the school administration and the parents.

4. For exempted students, alternative offerings must be provided.

1. Leave of absence is granted

a) for foreseeable, urgent personal and family matters

b) in the event of illness of a parent, when assistance at home is indispensable

c) in the case of contagious diseases of individuals residing in the same household

2. For long-term leaves of absence, the parents enter into a written agreement with the school board.

1. Parents must submit a written request for leave of absence to the relevant teacher in a timely manner and provide a justification.

2. The relevant teacher or the school board will inform the parents of the decision in writing.

3. Each teacher is responsible for keeping track of granted leaves of absence and recording them as excused absences on the report card.

1. The school board of the competent municipality or district school decides on the introduction of self-exemption by parents pursuant to Article 25, Paragraph 4 of the School Ordinance.

1. Parents must inform the responsible teacher of the self-exemption in a timely manner. The self-exemption does not need to be justified.

2. School half-days eligible for self-exemption can be taken individually or consecutively. Carrying over unused school half-days to the following school year is not permitted.

3. Self-exemption for the start of the school year is not allowed. The school board may impose additional restrictions on self-exemptions.

4. The responsible teacher keeps track of the school half-days taken under self-exemption and records them as excused absences in the report card.

1. Legal Protection is Governed by the School Law (RB 410.1111).

1. The following decrees of the Education Council are repealed

a) Guidelines of September 29, 1983, for granting exemptions for assisting in agricultural operations

b) Guidelines of November 14, 1980, concerning school exemptions for students in sports teams

1. This regulation shall enter into force retroactively on August 1, 2000.