Attendance

Each student is required by law to be in regular attendance at school and in class.

It is very important for children to be in school every day. Absence is one of the frequent causes of low grades and failure in school subjects. Attendance records are kept and recorded from the time of entrance in kindergarten until graduation from high school.

It is understandable that, on certain occasions, children cannot be in school. According to Board of Education Policy, the following reasons are accepted as legal excuses for absence:

1. death in the family
2. religious observance
3. a court-required appearance
4. personal illness
5. school-approved educational trip
6. impassible roads or weather
7. quarantine
8. prior approval by administration (Principal) for family vacation
9. emergency doctor or dental appointments
10. “Take your child to work day”

*Please note that on days your child is absent, they may not participate in school-sponsored activities that day.

On the day the child returns to school, he/she should bring a written excuse, signed by his/her parent or guardian, to the teacher. The excuse should include the date(s) of the absence, the reason for the absence, and the child’s name and grade. You may also email an excuse to our office manager, Mrs. Lorine Karabec at: lkarabec. 

New York State law requires that a written note explaining the reason for an absence must be sent to the school immediately following the absence. Telephone contact informing us of the absence does not replace the need for a written excuse.

Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds at any time without a written request from their parent/guardian. The written request must state the time and the reason for the early dismissal. Students leaving early must be picked up in the school office or will be escorted to their guardian. No student will be permitted to leave the school without adult supervision, and anyone who picks up a child may be asked to show their ID to verify their identity. Please note that individuals picking up a student must be listed as contacts on the student’s demographic form.

In accordance with the New York State Law and the Missing Children’s Act, parents have the right to ask for notification if their child is not in attendance.

Please note: If a student on special permission shows a pattern of frequent absences, tardiness or inappropriate behavior, the principal of the school the child is attending may revoke the student's privilege to attend the school. A decision by the principal will be made on a quarterly basis and the student will return to the school in the attendance area in which the student resides.