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Attendance

Attendance Exhibit

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 makeup 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 obligations;
  • Quarantine;
  • Required Court appearances;
  • Attendance at health clinics;
  • Approved college visits;
  • Approved cooperative work programs;
  • Such other reasons may have been 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.

View more information about your child’s attendance and illness.

Successful implementation of any attendance policy requires cooperation among all members of the educational community including parents, students, teachers, administration, and support staff.

Students Responsibilities

  • Students must attend school daily and arrive on time.
  • Students must attend all classes.
  • Students who are absent must make arrangements to make up missed instruction within 5 days of returning to school.

Parents/Guardians’ Responsibilities

  • Contact the 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.

 Teacher’s Responsibilities

  • Provide make-up assignments when requested by a student
  • Notify parent/guardian of attendance problems. At the secondary level, comments on progress reports and on report cards will indicate student attendance.
  • Forward to Administration any required paperwork or notice indicating student absences.

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 school.

Guidance Counselor’s 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.

Barbara Gravel
District Homeless Liaison
(845) 457-2400, ext. 16532

The New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students website can be found here. 

Under the McKinney-Vento legislation, children have the right to:

  • Continue their education in the school they attended before they became homeless, if feasible, and if that is their family’s choice.
  • Receive transportation to the school they attended before their family became homeless.
  • Attend a school and participate in school programs with children who are not homeless. Children cannot be separated from the regular school program because they are homeless.
  • Enroll in school without giving a permanent address. Schools cannot require proof of residency that might prevent or delay school enrollment.
  • Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.