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Attendance Policy

Statement of Overall Objectives

School attendance is both a right and a responsibility. The School District is an active partner with students and parents in the task of ensuring that all students meet or exceed the New York State Learning Standards.  Because the School District recognizes that consistent school attendance, academic success and school completion have a positive correlation, the School District will develop, review and, if necessary, revise a Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy to meet the following objectives:

**NOTE - Chronic Absenteeism is defined as missing 10% of school days for any reason; excused or unexcused. Chronic Absenteeism is a primary cause of low academic achievement and is a powerful predictor of future dropouts. See below for the interventions that will be provided:

Level 1 (5%) - Middle School Attendance member will contact parent/guardian and will touch base with the student.

Level 2 (8%) - Letter sent home including the attendance ladder and current attendance record.

Level 3 (10%) - Attendance Action plan completed with a member of the Middle School Attendance Team and the student.  Parent/guardian contacted.  Action Plan mailed home.  *Home visit may occur at this step.

Level 4 (15%) - Letter home requesting a parent meeting with the Assistant Principal and the student to review attendance guidelines and possible referral to outside agencies for support.

Level 5 (>20%) - Possible submission of referral to county agencies (PINS, CPS) for assistance. 

Determination of Excused and Unexcused Absences, Tardiness and Early Departures

Based upon our District's education and community needs, values and priorities, the School District has determined that absences, tardiness and early departures will be considered excused or unexcused according to the following standards:

(example - class cutting, family vacation, non-school sponsored field trips, hunting, babysitting, obtaining learner's permit, road test, oversleeping, hair cut, shopping for prom dress/tuxedo.)

Notice of Students who are Absent, Tardy or Depart Early With-out Proper Excuse

A designated staff member shall notify by telephone the parent/person in parental relation to a student who is absent, tardy or departs early without proper excuse. The staff member shall explain the District's Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy and the District's/building intervention procedures.  

If deemed necessary by appropriate school officials, or if requested by the parent/person in parental relation, a school conference shall be scheduled between the parent/person in parental relation and appropriate staff members in order to address the student's attendance. The student may also be requested to attend this conference in order to address appropriate intervention strategies that best meet the needs of the student.

Disciplinary Consequences

Unexcused absences, tardiness and early departures will result in disciplinary sanctions as described in the District's Code of Conduct. Consequences may include, but are not limited to:

Appeal Process

A parent/person in parental relation may request a building level review of their child's attendance record. Remember to call daily if your child is ill.

Keeping track of all our students each day is a very important responsibility for us. With your help, we can account for each student in our school. This is especially significant in the event of a home or school emergency. It is also important that our records of attendance for each student are accurate. Your calls and notes help to clarify and verify information. Thank you for your help.

All Phone Calls Should Include: 

We Need a Phone Call When: 

Each day your student is absent from school call Mrs. Welkley (LMS Nurse) at 594-2112.  Please state the nature of illness. If your student will be late please state the approximate time of arrival and the reason for late arrival. Notes are appreciated for tardiness.

If your student will be absent for any reason please state the reason for absence.

All Notes Should include: 

We Need A Note When:

Sign-In/Sign-Out through the Main Office for safety: 

All students need to be signed out by an adult if they are being picked up however they may sign themselves back in.  If someone other than the parent/legal guardian is picking the student up, please include the name of the responsible person on the note. When a student arrives late, they must sign in through the Main Office. Students must sign in on their return from appointments to receive a pass to class.

Parent/Legal guardian should sign the student out when leaving ill from school, or give permission stating exactly who may pick the student up.

Homework:

On the second day of absence the parent may call the Main Office for homework request. We must receive a call by 9 a.m. in order for homework to be available by 2:50 dismissal.

  1. To increase school completion for all students.
  2. To raise student achievement and close gaps in student performance.
  3. To identify attendance patterns in order to design attendance improvement efforts.
  4. To know the whereabouts of every student for safety and other reasons.
  5. To verify that individual students are complying with education laws and relating to compulsory attendance.
  6. To determine the District's average daily attendance for State aid purposes.
  7. Excused: An absence, tardiness or early departure may be excused if due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads due to inclement weather, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health/dental clinics, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, school sponsored field trips, programs and activities, military obligations or other such reasons as may be approved by the Board of Education.
  8. Unexcused: An absence, tardiness or early departure is considered unexcused if the reason for the lack of attendance does not fall into the above categories.
  9. Detention
  10. In-School Suspension
  11. Denial of participation in interscholastic and extracurricular activities.
  12. Parents/persons in parental relations will be notified by designated District personnel at periodic intervals to discuss their child's absences, tardiness or early departures and the importance of class attendance and appropriate interventions.
  13. Individual buildings/grade levels will address procedures to implement the notification process to the parent/person in parental relation.
  • Your name as the caller and relationship to the student. The students first and last name.
  • Specific reason for the call, time, dates, and any other person that you allow to pick up (if applicable to the call).
  • Parent/Legal Guardian full name, Student First and Last Name, or real name (not nicknames), Date and time of absence, Reason for absence (Notes with no reason will be unexcused absences)
  • Signature of the Parent/Legal Guardian
  • You are picking up your student early for any reason.
  • Your student is returning from an absence.
  • You are going out of town or know ahead of time that your student will be absent.