COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY
All children in New York State ages 6 to 16 are required to attend school. Regular school attendance is a critical factor in student success. School attendance is both a right and a responsibility of all students.
The Sweet Home Central School District is an active partner with parents and students in ensuring that all students meet or exceed the New York State Learning Standards. To help reach that goal, the Sweet Home Central School District has adopted a Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy. Complete copies of the District Comprehensive Attendance Policy are available in the main offices of all district school buildings.
The New York State Education Department only considers the list below to be legal reasons for absence or tardiness:
• sickness or death in the family
• medical appointments
• religious holiday
• court appearance
• counseling appointment
• road test or college exploration
• school sponsored activities
• CSE meetings
ABSENCE EXCUSES
A written excuse is required of all students when they return to school from an absence or when tardy. Excuses should be written and signed by the parent/guardian, and include the reason for the absence/ tardy/early and specify the date(s) and time of the absence or tardiness. Early dismissal also requires a note from parents designating time, reason and means of transportation. Students should be picked up in the main office of the school.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE/ADDRESSING EXCESSIVE ABSENCES/TARDINESS
A student who reaches 7 absences during the first marking period will be identified and a first intervention will be implemented. In the second quarter and thereafter, a letter is sent home to the parent/guardian of any student who reaches an absence rate of 15 percent or more for that point of the year. As of the 100th day and thereafter, a letter is sent to the parent/guardian of any student who has 15 absences or more. The second intervention is to be implemented when a student fails to maintain an attendance rate of 85% or better. After being identified, a building team will monitor the student’s attendance and appropriate interventions will be taken.
First Intervention - A letter is sent requesting more information about the student absence. Acknowledgement of receipt of the letter is expected. The building principal will make a follow-up contact if no reply is received. As part of this intervention, the school counselor may meet with the student to discuss attendance and any related concerns.
Second Intervention – When the attendance patterns do not show improvement, a second letter requesting a conference will be sent to the parents/persons in parental relation. The purpose of this conference is to determine a course of action to improve the student’s attendance.
Third Intervention - After a family has received two interventions and student attendance has shown no improvement school officials may pursue formal sanctions such as referral to CSE, referral to Child Protective Services, or a referral to the Erie County PINS Diversion program, if appropriate.
SICKNESS
If the student was absent due to a communicable disease, he/she will be readmitted only when all symptoms have subsided. A medical evaluation/note may be required before returning to school.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXCUSES
All students are required to take physical education. Requests to be excused from elementary levels (Grades K-5) physical education classes for one week or less may be made with a note from the parent or family physician. Exemptions beyond one week must be made by a physician in writing. All requests to be excused from secondary level (Grades 6-12) physical education classes must be made by a Health Care Provider in writing.
HOME INSTRUCTION
Any student who will be absent from school for a lengthy period of time (typically one week at the elementary level and two weeks at the secondary level) because of illness or injury may be eligible for home instruction. Elementary students receive up to one hour of instruction each day and secondary students up to two hours. Parents should notify the school nurse at the elementary level and the school counselor at the secondary level immediately upon learning that a child faces prolonged absence. For further information about the Home Instruction program, please contact the Office of Special Programs at 250-1236.
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