SHENENDEHOWA CENTRAL SCHOOL

KODA MIDDLE SCHOOL

CLIFTON PARK, NEW YORK

PRE-PLANNED EXTENDED ABSENCE NOTIFICATION

A student’s absence from school at any time represents an interruption in the student’s academic progress.  Of particular concern, are extended absences for family trips during the time when school is in session.  Such absences are illegal as defined by New York State Law.  It is the parents’ prime responsibility to have their children present for instruction except in cases of illness, religious observances, death in the family, inclement weather, court appearances, and a very few other unusual circumstances.

Extended absences deprive a student of the classroom interactions, practice, and opportunities for additional assistance necessary for academic growth.  Much of the learning in today’s classroom involves group discussions and debates, independent writing, with peer and teacher conferencing as part of the process, group problem solving and cooperative learning, experiments, demonstrations, etc.  Since none of these scholastic experiences can be duplicated outside the classroom setting, we cannot support extended absences for vacationing, visiting, and other similar purposes.  Teachers may choose to but are not required to provide work prior to the absence.  Teachers are not expected to provide additional instruction before or after the absence to reproduce lessons missed.  The school cannot be held responsible for any academic disadvantages the child may suffer as a result of the parents' decision to allow the absence.

Upon returning to school, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain any work that the teachers deem necessary and to return completed work in a reasonable amount of time as determined by each individual teacher.

Student Name _____________________________________________________

Dates of absence __________________________________________________

___________________                    ________________

Parent’s Signature                          Date

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