STUDENTS 5110

Attendance Policy for Students

Connecticut State Law requires parents to cause their children to attend school regularly during the hours and terms the public school is in session (Statutes 10-184 and 10-199 through 10-202).

The Manchester Board of Education believes it is the shared responsibility of the school and the home to assist students to develop desirable habits of punctuality and attendance. Absence from class and tardiness to class disrupts continuity and prohibits achieving maximum potential.

The Board is aware of the growing body of research findings that stress that "time on task" is a central factor in how much students learn. Thus, the Board is convinced that an effective and demanding attendance policy must be pursued by the Manchester Public Schools. Students who are not in school and in class, on a regular basis and on time, cannot properly benefit from instruction.

The administration is directed to establish procedures that stress prevention and inquiry leading to remediation of absences and tardiness. After reasonable efforts to remediate, the imposition of punitive measures and referral to legal authority is recommended. Alternate educational experiences are to be considered after all efforts have been made to establish students in the "mainstream."

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes 10-221
10-184
10-188
10-199 - 10-202

Adopted: May 28, 1985 - Supersedes Policies 5110 dated 9/24/73
and 5115 dated 9/10/73

Revised: 11/12/91
10/02
3/8/04

Attendance Policy - Administrative Guidelines

I. Elementary and Middle School Attendance Procedures

A. Absences for reasons other than illness must be approved in advance by
the administration. Requests for such approval should be in writing and signed by a parent. Late arrival or early dismissal for special religious services, medical appointments, or other similar business will be approved
provided that the appointment could not have been scheduled outside of school hours.

B. Teachers should follow all attendance procedures at their school. Pupil absentee and tardy records should be updated daily to show accumulated absences and tardiness.

C. Parent/guardian notes relating to the reason for a pupil's absence should be turned in to the school on the day the pupil returns. A follow-up call should be made if a note has not been received or a parent has not called.

D. Elementary principals are encouraged to work with their PTAs and other community resources to devise a reasonable system of verifying the whereabouts of each student daily. Please see Truancy Policy #5113.2.

E. School administrators will monitor pupils with excessive absence and tardiness records and follow Truancy Policy #5113.2 guidelines.

F. The parents of pupils with continuing poor attendance or tardiness will be requested to come in for a school conference which could involve teacher(s), social worker, administrators and other appropriate staff. Every effort will be made to provide support to the pupil and parent to ensure good school attendance.

G. Such students should also be referred to the student assistance team (or similar team) or to PPT if the student qualifies for special education services in order to consider modifications that encourage improved attendance.

H. The only excused absence are those due to illness of the pupil, death in the family, a doctor or dentist appointment, religious obligations, or whenever the administration considers that exemption from attendance is in the best interest of the pupil

I. Parents are urged to schedule any family vacations in accordance with the established school calendar for the year. The school is not responsible for providing any alternate education experiences during such absences.

J. Principals are authorized to require satisfactory explanation from the parent or guardian for the absence of a pupil for all or any part of the school day. The explanation may be obtained in person, by telephone or in writing.

K. Every student with an excellent attendance record should receive recognition for this accomplishment.

L. Homebound instruction shall be provided when medical, psychological or other proper causes are documented and meet the criteria outlined in board policy #6173 - Homebound Instruction.

II. High School Attendance Procedures

The specific rules regarding the requirements of attendance and tardiness can be found in the Manchester High School Student/Parent Handbook.

The handbook specifies responsibilities, consequences and the student/parent appeals process.

Students with poor attendance should be referred to the student assistance team or similar resource or to a PPT if the student qualifies for special education services; modifications may be considered that would encourage improved attendance.

Revised: 3/8/04