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General Information
If a student is going to be
absent from school, we ask that a parent contact
the Attendance Office (494-8801) as soon as
possible. Please become familiar with what is
acceptable for excused absences. Students learn
best when the attend class! If the school does
not receive a message from a parent within 48
hours of the absence, it will be marked
unexcused. Students arriving late to school or
leaving early are asked to sign-in/out with the
Attendance Office.
Students seeking an early
dismissal should report to the Attendance Office
before first period with a parent note stating
the reason and time to be excused. The student
will be given a pass that is to be shown to the
classroom teacher before leaving. The student
must sign out in the Attendance Office before
leaving the building.
Absence Notification
Whenever a student is marked tardy or
unexcused from one or more class periods, an
automated voice message will be sent to the
designated primary phone number. Messages do not
get through if there is a block on the phone.
Please make sure you have provided a phone
number that is not blocked if you wish to
receive attendance notifications.
Excessive Absences
Secondary students will be allowed 6 excused
absences per single class period each semester.
Once students have exceeded the number of
excused absences, an excuse issued by the
practitioner or agency may be required for
subsequent absences or the absence may be
considered unexcused. After an accumulation of 6
absences for secondary students, parents will
receive a letter notifying them of the
district’s attendance concerns; and an
administrative review of the student’s
attendance record and IEP, if applicable, will
occur.
After an accumulation of 4
unexcused absences, secondary students will be
placed on an attendance contract that will
include parent input when possible. Students
earning more than 4 unexcused absences per month
or 10 unexcused absences during any school year
may be referred for truancy. (BOE Policy JH-R)
Absence Definitions
Excused Absences
The following shall be considered excused
absences:
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Absences because of temporary illness or
injury.
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A student who is absent for an extended
period due to physical, mental, or emotional
disability.
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A student who is pursuing a work-study
program under the supervision of the school.
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A student who is attending any
school-sponsored activity or activities of
an educational nature with advance approval
by the administration.
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Absences by those who are in the custody of
court or law enforcement authorities.
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Those determined by school administration to
be excusable, such as doctor’s appointments
or juvenile court appearances.
The district may require
suitable proof regarding the above exceptions,
including written statements from medical
sources and agencies. (BOE Policy JH)
Unexcused Absences
An unexcused absence is
defined as an absence that is not covered by one
of the foregoing exceptions. Each unexcused
absence shall be entered on the student’s
record. The parents/guardians of the student
receiving an unexcused absence will be notified
orally or in writing by the district of the
unexcused absence whenever possible.
In accordance with the law, the
district may impose academic penalties which
relate directly to classes missed while
unexcused. The administration shall develop
regulations to implement appropriate penalties.
Student and parents/guardians may petition the
Board of Education for exceptions to this policy
or the accompanying regulations provided that no
exception shall be sustained if the student
fails to abide by all requirements imposed by
the Board as conditions for granting any such
exception.
After an accumulation of 4
unexcused absences, secondary students will be
placed on an attendance contract that will
include parent input when possible. Students
earning more than 4 unexcused absences per month
or 10 unexcused absences during any school year
may be referred for truancy. Elementary and
middle students may be considered for retention.
Any student who has been absent
from class for six consecutive weeks or more in
any one school year, except for reasons of
expulsion, excused long term illness, death, is
considered a “dropout” and shall be reported to
the Department of Education by the school
district. However, if the student is in
attendance at the end of the school year, or
enrolled in another school, home study course,
or on-line program, such student is not
considered a dropout and shall not be reported.
(BOE Policy JH)
Tardy
A student will be considered tardy if they are
not in class when the tardy bell rings. If a
student is more than 5 minutes late to class,
they will be marked with an unexcused absence.
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