Appendix A: Plain Language Summary
All students must attend school daily and arrive on time.
ALL absences, lateness, or early departures (excused or unexcused) are counted on a student’s attendance record.
If a High School student exceeds 18 absences for a full-year course or 9 absences for a half-year course AND does not make up assignments, he/she will not receive credit for that course.
If your child is going to be absent, late, or leave early during a school day, you should notify the school in writing beforehand or contact the school at (845) 457-2400.
When your child returns to school, you must provide a written explanation for his/her absence, lateness, or early departure.
Reasonable make-up opportunities will be given to students with absences due to:
personal illness; illness or death in the family;
impassable roads or weather; military obligations;
religious observances; quarantine;
required court appearances; attendance at health clinics;
approved college visits; approved cooperative work programs;
such other reasons as may be approved by the Commissioner of Education.
When your child is absent, late, or leaves early from school without an excuse, and it results in a written disciplinary referral, you will receive a copy of the written disciplinary referral. If you have any questions about this policy, contact the school at (845) 457-2400.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Successful implementation of any attendance policy requires cooperation among all members of
the educational community including parents, students, teachers, administration, and support
staff.
I. Students’ Responsibilities
Student must attend school daily and arrive on time.
Student must attend all classes.
Student who are absent must make arrangements to make up missed instruction
within 5 days of returning to school.
II. Parents’/Guardians’ Responsibilities
Contact school at 845-457-2400 or notify the school in writing beforehand if your child is absent, late, or must leave early.
Provide a written explanation of your child’s absence, lateness, or early departure.
Make every effort to ensure that your child attends school the maximum number of days possible.
III. Teachers’ Responsibilities
Provide make-up assignments when requested by a student.
Notify parent/guardian of attendance problems. At all levels, comments on progress reports and on report cards will indicate student attendance.
Forward to Administration any required paperwork or notice indicating student absences.
IV. Administration’s Responsibilities
During September orientation meetings, administrators will explain the attendance policy to all students.
When a student cuts class or is otherwise absent without excuse, this action may result in a written disciplinary referral.
Notify the student and parent/guardian with a copy of the disciplinary referral from the teacher of the course.
Hold at least one meeting to explain the attendance policy to the student.
Review of Attendance Records:
1. Each building Principal or designee must review attendance records and initiate appropriate action to address excessive absences, chronic tardiness, and habitual early departures.
2. Attendance records will also be reviewed by the designated Attendance Teacher.
V. Guidance Counselors’ Responsibilities
Counsel students individually when they receive a notification of excessive absences in any subject area. One meeting with the counselor will be sufficient for all subject areas.
Meet with the students to discuss options upon denial of course credit.
Adoption date: June 10, 2002
Revised: June 9, 2014
Reviewed: May 22, 2017