ATTENDANCE Absence Excused Absence

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1 ATTENDANCE Connecticut state law requires parents to make sure that their children between the ages of 5 to 18 attend school regularly.* Daily attendance is a key factor in student success, thus any absence from school is an educational loss to the student. These rules are designed to minimize student absenteeism while providing students the opportunity to make up school work missed due to a legitimate absence. A student is considered to be in attendance if present at his/her assigned school, or an activity sponsored by the school, such as a field trip, for at least half of the regular school day. A student serving an out-of-school suspension or an expulsion will always be considered absent. The parent or person having control of a child shall have the option of waiting to send the child to school until the child is six or seven years of age, upon signing an option form at the school district offices. A student must remain in school until age 18, unless he/she graduates or gets written consent from a parent/guardian on a district provided form to leave school at age 17) Absence Every attempt should be made to confine necessary appointments to after school, weekends and vacation periods. When a parent determines that an absence is necessary, parents are requested to contact the school between XX A.M. and YY A.M. on the day of the absence by telephoning the school. If it is not possible to telephone the school on the day of absence, the parent is requested to send a written excuse to the school on the date of the student s return. The student should submit the excuse directly to the office. Parents should contact the principal in order to take advantage of special services such as the collection of homework assignments for the student who must be out several days. Excused Absence Students receive an excused absence when they are absent from school for the following reasons: 1. Death in the immediate family. 2. Serious illness of a member of the family which makes the student s absence necessary. 3. Illness or injury of the student. 4. Religious holidays. 5. Court appearance/probation appointments. 6. Other absences as approved by the principal s office in advance. Students who plan to be absent for reasons other than those listed above, should seek approval by presenting a note from home to the principal or designee, who will then indicate approval or disapproval. 7. College visits and interviews and other post-secondary plans.

2 The responsibility for makeup of work lies with the student, not the teacher. Unless a student has an extended illness, all makeup privileges must be completed within XX days after the student returns to school. Unexcused Absence Unexcused absences are those which do not fall under any of the excused absences. Students who have unexcused absences may be denied makeup privileges. Such absences may also be reflected in the student s final grade.* Although the school will maintain records and keep parents informed within the limit of its capability, parents and students are expected to keep accurate attendance records and compare them to report cards issued quarterly. Parents are also encouraged to contact the teachers, guidance counselors and administrators to get help in verifying attendance and attendance records at any time during the year. Leaving School Grounds/Release of Students From School Under no circumstances may a student leave the school or school grounds during school hours without permission from his/her parents or guardians and school administration. In the event it is necessary for a student to be dismissed early, a parent or guardian should send a written request to the office. Telephone requests for early dismissal of a student shall be honored only if the caller can be positively identified as the student s parent or guardian. Children of single-parent families will be released only upon the request of the parent whom the court holds directly responsible for the child and who is identified as such in the school records, unless prior arrangements have been made with the school. Arrangements should be made with the building administrator on the parent or guardian to pick up the student in the school office. If someone other than a parent/guardian picks up the student, the person appearing in the school office should bring a note of identification from the parent or guardian. Tardiness Students who are not in their homeroom by XX A.M. are considered tardy and must report directly to the office. A student discovered on school grounds who has not signed in at the office will also be considered tardy. A student who is repeatedly tardy may be considered truant. Students may be subject to disciplinary action including suspension if the principal determines that tardiness is excessive. *Students are late to school if they are not in their seats at the bell signaling the start of the first period class. If students arrive late, they must report to the office and sign in. Students are allowed XX tardies per semester. Any student who is late more than three times will receive a detention for each tardiness beyond XXXX three XXXXX????. A detention may be waived by an administrator if the cause of the tardiness is unavoidable. Truancy

3 A student age five to eighteen** inclusive with 4 (four) unexcused absences in one month or 10 (ten) unexcused absences in a school year will be considered a truant. Disciplinary action may include hours of after school detention for each class/study period missed. Tests and academic work missed in class that day will be recorded as a zero grade. Parents have the responsibility to assist school officials in remedying and preventing truancy. The Superintendent of Schools will file a written complaint with Superior Court Juvenile Matters if the parent fails to cooperate with the school in trying to solve the student s truancy problem. Information about truancy will also be posted in the annual strategic school profile reports.

4 Attendance Attendance Policy: The Columbia Board of Education believes the school/classroom provides unique educational experiences for students to develop to their fullest personal and intellectual potential; therefore, absence from class has a direct, negative impact on the education of the student and his or her classmates. The school and classroom environments are designed to encourage interactions with teachers, to facilitate the exchange of ideas with peers, to research and discover facts, to develop concepts, to test hypotheses, and to nurture talents. Therefore, class attendance is the primary method for students to avail themselves of these growth and learning experiences. As defined by state statute, parents or guardians are responsible to ensure regular and punctual attendance of their child(ren) at school. The administration and staff of Horace W. Porter School are committed to working cooperatively with parents, guardians and students to ensure all students attend all classes. Attendance Procedure: Daily student attendance is recorded and maintained by the school. Reporting Absences: Students who are absent from school are required to have a parent/guardian verify the absence by submitting a written note, by visiting, or by calling the Main Office at x 116 before the start of school on the day of the absence. If written verification of the absence is required, then such verification should be received upon the student s return to school. If an absence is not verified by the parent/guardian in this time frame, the absence will be considered unexcused until verification is received. Students requiring more than five (5) consecutive absences due to illness or a medical issue must follow a written, Temporary Educational Plan collaboratively developed by parents, teachers and the administration. If possible, this Temporary Educational Plan should be developed before the absences occur or immediately after a parent/guardian notifies the school of the illness/medical issue. The administration requests that parents/guardians schedule medical appointments outside of school hours when possible. Excused Absences: The following six (6) reasons are considered acceptable for an excused absence: 1. Illness/medical issues

5 Written documentation from a physician may be requested for a student to return to school when absent more than five (5) consecutive school days due to illness/medical issues. 2. Death or critical illness in the family Written documentation from a parent/guardian is required for a student to return to school when absent more than five (5) consecutive school days due to death or critical illness in the family. 3. Religious Holidays Prior written documentation from a parent/guardian is required for a student to receive an excused absence for a religious holiday. 4. Pre-arranged high school visits (Grade 8 students ONLY) A completed high school visit form signed by the school guidance counselor and a parent/guardian is required for a student to receive an excused absence for visiting a receiving high school. 5. Out-of-School Suspension 6. An exceptional circumstance approved by school administration Family Vacations: Parents/guardians are strongly urged to arrange family vacations to coincide with school vacations to avoid unexcused absences for their child as student academic success could be hindered by lower grades due to the lateness of submitted assignments, excessive work-load and other obstacles related to lack of communication of an absence. Note: Class and homework assignments will not be provided prior to the absence. Attendance requirement for athletic and extra-curricular activities: Any student participating in any athletic or extra-curricular activity must be in school for a minimum of four (4) hours on the day of the activity or he/she will not be permitted to participate in or attend the activity. Tardiness: Being in school on time each day is important to success in school and the development of good work habits. Students who arrive late to school in the morning (after 8:25 A.M. on regular and early dismissal days and after 10:00 A.M. on Delayed Opening days) must report to the main entrance Receptionist for a tardy pass and will be marked tardy on school records for that day. Attendance/Tardy Review: The Administration will conduct a monthly Attendance/Tardy Review. Parents/Guardians will be provided with a written Attendance/Tardy Review if their child exceeds the absence/tardy levels listed below, per Columbia Board of Education Policy unexcused absences/tardies in a month 10 unexcused absences/tardies in a grading period

6 20 unexcused absences/tardies (and no evidence of student satisfying the temporary educational plan (if applilcable) The administration may request a meeting with parents/guardians of students who have frequent absences/tardies or a pattern of absences/tardies that may indicate a need for support.