SHENENDEHOWA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 

7110--Students 

The Board of Education recognizes that consistent attendance is a critical factor in a student’s ability to achieve his/her fullest academic potential. Students have a right and responsibility to attend school on a daily basis. Good attendance contributes to a positive school climate while poor attendance diminishes the maximization of school resources and has a negative effect on the entire school community. The Board also recognizes that daily attendance increases the opportunities for a student to:

b) Improve his/her chances of high school graduation;

c) Understand and appreciate the importance of school and education;

d) Attain his/her personal goals;

e) Develop a sense of belonging at school;

f) Establish positive interactions with adults and fellow students;

g) Develop more structure and discipline in his/her life.

The Board of Education will annually review attendance data included in the annual School Report Card. The Board designates the principal of each school to frequently, but at least quarterly, review pupil attendance records and to identify problems and trends related to unexcused absences, tardiness, and early departures.

The Superintendent or his/her designee(s) shall adopt regulations, practices, and procedures consistent with this policy and in compliance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to meet the following objectives:

a) To raise student achievement and close gaps in student performance;

d) To establish the expectation of daily attendance for all students;

e) To develop early intervention strategies;

h) To determine the district’s average daily attendance for state aid purposes.

Per New York State regulations, the District register, in written or electronic format, must account for each pupil’s presence, absence, tardiness, and early departure from every period/day that a pupil is scheduled to attend actual instructional or supervised study and other required activities throughout the school year. Attendance data shall be kept current, as well as archived, via the student information system.

The register shall include, at minimum:

a) Name of pupil;

b) Date of birth;

c) Student ID#;

d) Family ID#;

e) Full names of parent(s) or person(s) in parental relation (guardian);

f) Address where pupil resides;

h) A record of the pupil’s attendance for each day of scheduled instruction;

The reasons and applicable documentation deemed acceptable for an excused absence when school is in session, include, but are not limited to, the following:

a) Personal illness or injury;

b) Death in the family;

c) Medical appointments;

d) Appearance in court;

e) Suspension from school (during which alternative educational services are offered or provided);

f) Military obligation;

g) Religious observances;

h) School sponsored/school authorized activities.

i) "Bring your child to work day"

All other absences for any other reasons will be deemed unexcused absences.

On days where the district has declared a two hour delay and no AM Kindergarten, those students should be marked as: ABSENT-EXEMPT. They are absent by district decision, not personal choice. Conversely, if the district decides to close early and does not hold PM Kindergarten, they too would be marked ABSENT-EXEMPT.

For those students who have AM Kindergarten and are part of the EDK program, they would be marked the same way if they did not come in for the afternoon session: ABSENT-EXEMPT.

By using the ABSENT-EXEMPT code the proper attendance would be taken, but it would not count against the student’s personal attendance totals for the year.

The coding system will accommodate the following categories:

a) Excused absence;

b) Unexcused absence;

c) Excused tardy;

d) Unexcused tardy;

e) In-school suspension;

f) Out-of-school suspension;

g) Religious observance;

h) Absent-exempt

For students enrolled in kindergarten through 5^{th grade, the presence or absence of each student shall be recorded once per day. A student is tardy if he or she arrives after the start of the instructional day. A student is recorded as having departed early if he or she departs anytime before the completion of the instructional day.}

Each student’s presence or absence shall be noted and recorded by the teacher each period of scheduled instruction (and in time for homeroom as applicable). A student is tardy if he or she arrives after the start of the instructional day or class period. A student is recorded as having departed early if he or she departs anytime before the completion of the instructional day or class period.

A parent/guardian is expected to call if a student will be absent. A note is not required if a reason is provided by phone at which time the length of absence should be estimated and provided to the attendance clerk. For absences longer than one week, a health provider’s note may be requested as proof of an excused absence.

The reason for a late arrival or early departure should be noted when a parent/guardian signs in/out at the time the student arrives or is picked up.

Any absence for the school day or portion thereof shall be recorded. In the event that a student arrives late for or departs early from scheduled instruction, then such tardiness or early departure shall also be recorded as excused or unexcused. The register must also include the date when any student withdraws from enrollment or is dropped from enrollment in the school.

The District must also maintain a record of each scheduled day of instruction during which the school is closed for all or part of the day due to adverse weather or other emergency conditions.

Vacations during other than school breaks will be recorded as unexcused and are strongly discouraged. Despite the best efforts of teachers and parents, it is impossible to make up for missing the teacher-directed instruction and class discussion. Teachers are not expected to provide work to be completed over the vacation. Make-up work may be provided following the vacation absence.

Generally a student will be dropped from the school rolls if planning to be out of the district by choice, for reasons such as long family vacations and ski school. It is expected that the student will attend school where he/she resides or will be home schooled.

A student shall be excluded from attendance whenever he/she shows symptoms of any infectious disease reportable under the Public Health Law.

On all levels, the importance of daily attendance is stressed, and poor attendance must be addressed until a resolution is established. In addition, the district will participate in programs such as the Saratoga County Partnership to Combat Truancy, a proactive approach to promote daily attendance.

On each day that a student will be picked up by someone other than a parent/legal guardian, it is necessary for a parent/legal guardian to send a note for the attendance clerk or by a verifiable phone call to the attendance clerk or school principal.

In recognition of the important relationship between class attendance/participation and student performance, students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Participation in class discussions and activities is expected and may "count" as a percentage of the grade attained.

Parents are expected to notify school when withdrawing their child(ren) from the district by completing a Withdrawal Form. The information provided includes the school the child(ren) will be attending. If, after two weeks, records have not been requested, a call should be placed to the new school by an attendance clerk. If information is not available, the district attendance officer should be contacted to visit the home address to determine if the family continues to reside within Shenendehowa. If it appears that the family has moved, the Residency Determination Officer should be contacted.

At the beginning of each school year, the expectation of daily attendance shall be reinforced in various ways: a letter home, the parent "handbook," or by teachers at open house and similar occasions. This expectation should continue to be emphasized throughout the year. Incentives such as "Buddy" programs encourage school attendance, and the morning and breakfast programs foster on-time arrival and active participation.

After a three-day absence, a designated staff member shall follow-up with the family to learn the reason for the continued absence. In cooperation with the Southern Saratoga County District Attorney’s office, a series of letters will be sent to parents. After an absence of ten days, or a pattern of absences (tardiness, early departures) additional phone calls will be placed and a letter (7110F.1) will be mailed to the parent/guardian. Follow-up action will be continued as needed. After an absence of 15 days a second letter, (7110F.2) will be mailed to the parent/guardian. After 20 days, a third letter (7110F.3) advising of the district attorney’s involvement will be mailed to the parent/guardian. The district attorney’s office will make contact with the family. Child Protective Services will be contacted for investigation of possible educational neglect.

The middle schools’ motto is "Be Here, Be Safe, Be Responsible, Set Goals" setting the stage for daily attendance, which is reiterated in the student handbook. Each student and parent must sign to acknowledge understanding and agreement with the

handbook’s expectations. Each homeroom teacher is expected to talk with students about

the need to attend school consistently. Attendance letters are sent to parents/guardians on a regular basis describing the student’s attendance record. Sanctions such as detentions and in-school suspensions are employed when appropriate. Perfect attendance awards are given to those students who qualify.

Please see "Follow-up" under Elementary level.

The expectation of daily attendance is reinforced in many ways. Homerooms and other teachers continually reinforce and follow-up on attendance problems. The Teacher Handbook and the Student Handbook and Agenda both explain attendance expectations and procedures. The Code of Conduct includes truancy and cutting classes as Level II infractions, which may result in consequences such as detention, long-term loss of privileges and possible withdrawal of participation in school or extracurricular activities. Each student’s report card reflects his/her overall attendance and individual class attendance. Each student’s transcript reflects overall attendance and does not differentiate between excused and unexcused tardiness. This practice is reviewed with all students at the beginning of the school year.

Please see "Follow-up" under Elementary level.

In addition:

Coaches are responsible for monitoring a student athlete’s absence and tardiness. A student may not participate in competition on days he or she has been absent for the entire school day unless there are special circumstances and permission is granted by the Director of Athletics and Physical Education and/or Building Principal.

Juniors are advised in advance of the senior year that a parking permit may be denied based on the junior year attendance record. Once issued, a permit may be rescinded based on a student’s senior year attendance record. Promotional tickets (for community events) are used as rewards for excellent attendance. Outstanding attendance letters to students and Certificates of Attendance are also awarded for excellent attendance.

To be eligible for summer school, a student must achieve a grade point average of 50 or higher and miss no more than 36 classes (18 classes for a half-year course), unless waived by the principal or designee.

Partnerships

The PTSA Principals Newsletter describes the expectation for our high school students emphasizing the need for help from parents/guardians and including the need to be on time and to provide an excuse note following an absence. The Teacher Handbook thoroughly describes "Homeroom Attendance Procedures" and the need to encourage students to be on time for school each day. Every effort is made to work with parents to ensure good attendance.

The District maintains an agreement (November 2008) with the Saratoga County D.A.’s office to intervene with students and their families when the usual communication and strategies do not bring about daily attendance.

A plain language summary of the attendance policy will be provided to parents/guardians at the beginning of each school year. Understanding of such a policy will be promoted to students and their parents/guardians.

Each teacher will be provided with a copy of the policy at the beginning of each school year or upon employment.

Any other member of the Shenendehowa community will be provided a copy of the policy upon request.

NOTE: Refer also to Code of Conduct

Adoption Date: June 24, 2008

Revised: March 10, 2009