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 their assigned school, or an activity sponsored by the school, such as a field trip, for at least half of the regular school day.

Please note: Students who are absent or who leave school early are not allowed to participate in after-school or evening activities that day, including athletics.

Chronic Absenteeism

A student whose total number of absences at any time during a school year is equal to or greater than 10 percent of the total number of days that such student has been enrolled at such school during the school year is considered to be a “chronically absent child.” Such a student will be subject to review by the attendance review team and the chronic absenteeism prevention and intervention plan developed by the State Department of Education. The District will also collect and analyze data on student attendance, truancy and chronic absenteeism for students with disabilities.

Excused Absence

A student’s absence from school shall be considered “excused” only if a written documentation of the reason for such absence has been submitted within ten (10) school days of the student’s return to school and meets the following criteria:

A. For absences one through nine, a student’s absences from school are considered “excused” when the student’s parent/guardian approves such absence. 

B. Students receive an excused absence for the tenth absence and all absences thereafter, when they are absent from school, and appropriate documentation is submitted to school officials, for the following reasons:

1. Student illness, verified by a licensed medical professional, regardless of the length of the absence.

2. Students observe a religious holiday.

3. Death in the student’s family or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family.

4. Court appearances which are mandated. (Documentation required)

5. The lack of transportation that is normally provided by the district other than the one the student attends.

6. Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by District administration and in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education guidelines.

7. Additional 10 days for children of military service members.

Extracurricular 

Students absent from school the day of a dance will not be permitted to attend.  If the event is scheduled to take place on a weekend, students absent the day before will not be permitted to attend.  

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 their 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. Parents/guardians must come into the building and sign out their child with the receptionist.

Mental Health Days

Students enrolled in grades K-12 are permitted two mental health days during the school year. These days provide students time to attend to their emotional and psychological well-being in lieu of attending school. The student shall not be required to present documentation or parental/ guardian consent. The absence shall be identified as a “mental health wellness day.” A student cannot take two consecutive mental health wellness days.

Tardiness

Students are expected to arrive at school and class on time. Tardiness to class or school is a disruption to the learning environment. Students who are not in their homeroom/classroom by 8:03 a.m. are considered tardy and must report directly to the office. We will work in partnership with parents to curb tardiness. However, a student can be considered truant if the tardiness becomes excessive. Students will be subject to disciplinary action if tardiness is excessive ( three or more in one month). A reminder, every student is assigned a school bus to ride.

Tardy Procedures

If a student arrives after the start of the official starting time, he/she is to report directly to the office for check-in. All tardy arrivals will be considered unexcused unless accompanied by a doctor’s note for illness and be signed by a parent. All unexcused tardy arrivals are subject to school disciplinary consequences.

Truancy

Truancy is defined by statute as absence(s) from school without the knowledge or approval of parents/guardians and/or school officials. A student aged five to eighteen inclusive with 4 (four) unexcused absences in one month or 10 (ten) unexcused absences in a school year will be considered truant. Response to truancy may include a referral to community support or services, intervention, and/or disciplinary action.

Parents have the responsibility to assist school officials in remedying and preventing truancy. School staff are mandated by the state to report excessive absences or patterns of concern.

Unexcused Absences

Unexcused absences are those which do not fall under any of the excused absences. Such absences may also be reflected in the students final grade. 

Absences which are the result of school or district disciplinary action are excluded from the definitions.

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 when issued. Parents are also encouraged to contact the teachers, school counselors and administrators to get help in verifying attendance and attendance records at any time during the year.

Absence means an excused absence or an unexcused absence.

Vacations

School policy strongly encourages the scheduling of family vacations and trips during times which coincide with school vacations. Student absences for reasons of a family vacation or trip that takes place when school is in session may be considered “unexcused absences,” in light of SBE guidelines. Such absences are disruptive to schooling and should be avoided if at all possible. Making up the work missed is not the same as participating in the classes when instruction is given. If such an absence is unavoidable, the student is responsible to ascertain what work has been missed upon his/her return and ensure that the work be completed within a reasonable time.