|
BACK to Grapevine HOME | Shen HOME ATTENDANCE
Posted on January 5, 2010 Why are students marked late when they have a pass to class? Does this count as a tardy?
Posted on May 12, 2011 Why is it that my child at West cannot arrive to lunch late, without receiving detention? This wasn't an issue until halfway through the year, and I don't understand why the school would change their policy so quickly. It is simply not fair to the students, since no one take attendance in LUNCH!
Students need to be in the locations listed on their schedules. This helps with a variety of things, most especially the safety and supervision of students. This has been communicated to students quite often this year and students have ample time to go from class to lunch and to arrive on time. In addition, when students are in the hallways it disrupts the instruction taking place during the lunch periods in the classrooms of that hallway.
Posted on March 4, 2011 The announcements stated this morning that students who arrive late or miss school can not attend or play in the dodgeball tournament. If a student needs to leave two periods early for a legal appointment can they do so and still play/go? Legal absences are okay.
Posted on November 8, 2010 Where can I find the school/NYS policy on attendance for the day and being allowed to participate in school athletics (practice or game)? Or what is the policy, for legal excuse and participation?
Shenendehowa Athletic Code of Conduct which all student-athletes and
parents sign states:
Posted on January 13,2 011 It is unnecessary for every child absent to have a "legal" excuse. they are pointless and most of the parents and students lie, or make up a false excuse. just get rid of the legal/illegal excuses and there wouldn't be any problems with privileges and attendance records. when a child is absent, they are absent....can't we just leave it at that? THANKS! Absences are recorded as excused or unexcused. This reporting mechanism is a legal document in addition to being used for certain student privileges. View it as promoting positive behavior to comply with rules and regulations, a major condition for an orderly, efficient, and effective society. It also reiterates that concept of consequence for one's actions.
Posted on March 12, 2009 Please explain excused vs unexcused absence.
See Board of Education policy number 7110.
Posted on December 23, 2008 Can a student not graduate if he/she is late to school on a regular basis...even if they are passing their classes?
A student would graduate after they serve whatever consequences have been assigned. These are typically detention and in-school suspension.
Posted on February 5, 2008 If a student is absent from school due to a family trip, is it considered an unexcused absence? What does this mean for the student?
If a student is absent because he/she is on a family trip, it is considered an unexcused absence. We strongly discourage vacations while school is in session.
Posted on November 10, 2008 According to district policy, the only excused absences are: doctor/dental appointments, legal matters and family emergencies. Therefore college visits and auditions are unexcused absences? (when they are part of furthering their educational process?) Also if a child has an appointment during homeroom or first period and it is an "excused" absence is it still considered tardy?
Those are not the only excused absences. Please see Board of Education Policy 7110. College visits are excused absences. It falls under school sponsored/authorized activities. If a student misses homeroom or a period completely, it counts as an absence (excused or unexcused). If they are late to homeroom or class it counts as a tardy (excused or unexcused).
Posted on January 29, 2009 When an elementary child is absent what is the preferred way to contact the school. Should we call in, send a note or do nothing at all?
In the elementary handbook, it states, "If your child is absent, please notify the attendance clerk of the reason and expected length of absence. Voice mail will record messages before or after school hours. If a parent has notified the school by phone, a written excuse is not required upon the student's return. If the reason has not been reported by phone, a written note is required immediately upon the student's return." The main office will never complain about too many calls to report absences. If necessary, the parent can speak to the school nurse for information regarding illnesses that are potentially contagious.
Posted on April 10, 2008 I still do not get why if a student has a prior commitment before school, that they are obligated to attend homeroom, and if they do not, they are punished for it. Homeroom is just a "free time" and nothing is really addressed other than the same announcements everyday.
Homeroom is a mandatory period built into the school day to take attendance and to share important information with students. The only acceptable excuses, with parental verification, are for illness, doctor, dental or legal appointments.
Posted on March 13, 2008 Many high schools have attendance policies whereby students are removed from classes after exceeding a certain number of absences. Why doesn't Shenendehowa have such a policy, in place?
Understanding that attendance is tied to the overall academic success, the removal of a student from class due to excessive absences seems to be counterproductive. The reward for truancy should not be a legitimate reason to be absent.
Posted on March 28, 2008 Why is it acceptable for a sports team to be late for school following a late night game the previous evening and the same consideration is unacceptable for the drama club after their Thursday night performance?
The high school administration believes that it is important for all students to be to school on time, regardless of athletic or co-curricular activities the night before school.
Posted on April 30, 2008 What is the policy of perfect attendance? If kids are in school for part of a day (because of appt's etc..) but not whole day, is that still perfect attendance if they never actually miss a whole day?
For students to have perfect attendance they must be in school each day, for the entire day. The only exceptions would be for a field trip or if the senior student had a schedule that authorized late arrival or early release.
Posted on April 8, 2009 I recently came into school with a signed note stating that I was tardy because I was having car troubles on my way to school. However, I still received an illegal tardy! Why aren't auto-emergencies categorized under legal tardy excuses?
The school uses the guidelines for legal absences, determined by the state, to develop criteria for legal and illegal tardies.
Posted on April 1, 2009 If students come into school late because of a personal conflict in the morning (such as a doctor's appointment), do parents have to enter the building to sign their child in or can the child simply do it him/her self?
The child can sign themselves in with a note from the parent at the middle and high school. In the elementary schools the parent should accompany the student into the school and sign the student in.
Posted on March 20, 2009 Is Shen aware that by giving out referrals for unexcused absences such as vacations with family you are turning parents into enemies instead of friends?
It is not Shen, it is New York State Education Law.
Posted on March 17, 2009 My son is in middle school and sometimes misses the bus. The bell rings at 9am and he signs in at the nurses office at 9:01. How ishe marked late for one minute? The nurse said if he's late again he could have detention
Students must be in school by the homeroom bell at 8:55 a.m. or they will be marked tardy.
Posted on October 7, 2009 Since when does Shen not allow a student who bought a homecoming shirt into the game because they were sick the day of homecoming and this was never told to us students
Posted on March 13, 2009 Why is the high school changing the attendance policy? Does the administration realize that by more strictly enforcing unexcused absences that students' parents will be more likely to lie on behalf of their children and students will be less likely to get assignments ahead of time? Additionally, when every single teacher issues a referral for every unexcused period missed, the administration may have to deal with 8 notifications a day. That seems like an awful lot of excessive paperwork. Lastly, why were students not directly informed of this policy change? Most students learned about this via various teachers and not a letter home.
The policy has not changed. Unexcused lateness or absences should have always been treated the same way, it is the enforcement that has been inconsistent. As for the excessive paperwork, period-by-period attendance is now required by law.
Posted on March 10, 2009 Are college visits by HS Jr's and Sr's considered "excused" absences?
Colleges visits are legal absences. Students should bring something from the Admissions Office verifying their visit.
Posted on March 3, 2009 My child's attendance is incorrect on the Parent Portal. Whom do I contact to correct this? Is there an administrator for the Parent Portal or do I contact the school attendance office? Thanks.
You should contact the school attendance office.
Posted on February 9, 2009 As a responsible parent, I consistently follow the rules of the Shen School Physician for keeping my child home when he is ill (the "24 hour" rule, etc. etc.). Unfortunately, my child gets sick a lot and this results in 2 or 3 days of missed school for each illness. I THOUGHT I was doing the right thing, until I received a letter from my principal warning me about the number of my child's absences. Mixed message here! What do I do next time he is sick? Send him to school so I don't get another warning letter or keep him home in accordance with the advice of the District Physician?
A sick child should be kept at home as you have been doing. However, even when absences are "Excused," principals often remind parents, if the number is high, that missing school is a problem. Daily attendance is closely linked to excellent grades, few behavior problems and participation in actives/sports. In some cases, the letters prompt a phone call that reveal a student or family that is experiencing difficulties and needs help. A percentage of "sick" calls are made for kids that are not sick but have other issues. We have recently entered into a program with the Saratoga County District Attorney's office to decrease truancy, however, this program is a last resort for families that have not cooperated with us despite our best efforts. Of course, sometimes "excused" absences may not be valid when we investigate.
Posted on February 9, 2009 How many absences are permitted for elementary students before it is considered a problem?
After 10 unexcused absences, a letter goes to parents expressing concern. After 15 another letter goes out and if there has been no cooperation other actions have usually been taken involving Child Protective Services and the family court system. After 20 absences, again if there is no improvement or cooperation from parents, a letter is sent to parents and the Saratoga D.A. is copied. Every effort is made through the usual and customary means to help a student attend daily - the D.A.'s program is the last resort.
Posted on January 21, 2010 Hello I have a question regarding the letters that were sent home about missing 15 or 20 days of school. I received the letter 2 days ago and my child missed school during the week before break due to travel. Now he nearly has 20 and I'm going to be reported to the attorney general? is that really what his/her job is? to help students? No, its to prosecute criminals. my child is passing all but 1 class because the teacher gives 0s on days he misses causing a downward spiral. please give info.
Posted on May 10, 2010 I just received a notice home stating my elementary age child had been absent 10 or more days this year. While this may be true, they were all medically excused absences as he had been very sick in the fall with H1N1, pneumonia twice, bronchitis once and a broken hand this year alone! I am interested to know if those letters are sent even when absences are reported by the parent and excused? They were by no means unexcused. Who provides the info. so the principal can send the letter, is it the classroom teacher? Lastly, I was offended by the letter as I always inform the school when my kids will be out, I am not neglecting my kids education and now a copy of this letter goes to the superintendent! I understand the district has an attendance policy and I read it, but there has to be a difference between unexcused, chronic attendance problems and excused, valid absences that are not the norm.
Posted on January 13, 2009 Is there a number of absences a student is allowed to miss before they have to repeat that grade?
In New York State, public schools may not establish a minimum number of days a student must attend to pass. However, from a practical standpoint, a student with poor attendance has a much greater chance of not acquiring the requisite knowledge and skills to earn promotion to the next grade. There comes a point at which catching up is just not feasible.
Posted on February 4, 2008 If a student is late to school with a legitimate doctor's excuse, why does it still show up as a tardy on their school report card?
The student is still tardy to school because he/she was not in school on time. However, it is a legal tardy, not an illegal one.
Posted on February 5, 2008 If a student is absent from school due to a family trip, is it considered an unexcused absence? What does this mean for the student?
If a student is absent because he/she is on a family trip, it is considered an unexcused absence. We strongly discourage vacations while school is in session.
Posted on February 14, 2008 Why are students who have a number of scheduled free periods in a row not allowed to leave, even with parent permission?
With parental permission, students are allowed to leave for doctor, dental or legal appointments and return to school. Cutting School
Posted on May 20, 2008 Why are some kids not held responsible for skipping class while others receive detentions for it ?This does not seem fair.
With a school of almost 3,000 students in grades 9-12, some students will not be caught and will appear to avoid consequences. That is not our intention and we continue to be diligent in how we work with students who make poor choices.
Posted on May 20, 2008 Are there such things as cut days in high school? my friend says everyone cuts school one day and goes out somewhere together?
There are no acceptable cut days at school. If students are caught being illegally absent they will be punished according to our code of conduct.
Posted on June 5, 2008 I am a parent of a senior at East and she told me that on senior skip day there are actually school officials who go out places looking for students. This is ridiculous. Senior skip day is a tradition and if students want to skip one day it shouldn't be a big deal. I think you guys can find something better to do with your time rather than running around upstate NY trying to get students in trouble.
On such days, school officials do not go looking for students. However, if school officials are told of locations where large groups of students may be congregating and engaging in behaviors that are inappropriate, the school has a responsibility to take action in an effort to protect these students who should be in school, by law, at that time.
Posted on June 10, 2008 It says that school officials do not go looking for students on Senior Skip day. However, if school officials are told of locations where large groups of students may be congregating and engaging in behaviors that are inappropriate, the school has a responsibility to take action in an effort to protect these students who should be in school, by law, at that time. Last year the drama club was found eating breakfast at Cracker Barrel by the administration. I do not believe eating breakfast is "engaging in behaviors that are inappropriate". Why are my tax dollars going toward hunting down students who skip an occasional day of school?
Skipping school is deemed "inappropriate" by law, period.
Posted on June 4, 2008 I have been late many times but only for the beginning of homeroom. How can me missing the pledge matter? I still learn the same things throughout the day, so why will that effect my senior privileges?
The school day begins at 7:45 am. When students arrive after that time, they are considered late to school. Those are the rules.
|
|
