Attendance is a critical factor in academic success. The responsibility for ensuring that all students meet or exceed the NYS Learning Standards is shared by the student, the parent, and the school. Studies have shown that consistent school attendance, academic success, and school completion have a positive correlation. Classroom lessons and participation foster social interaction, development of effective communication skills and critical thinking. Any absence from class is therefore detrimental to the learning process.

• Objectives 

  •  To ensure the maintenance of an adequate record verifying the attendance of all children in accordance with New York State Law.

  •  To establish a practical mechanism for St. Mary's Elementary School to provide accountability of all students throughout each school day.

  • To determine the school's average daily attendance for state aid purposes.

• Strategies to Meet Objectives

  • Use of a daily register of attendance (computerized and written).

  • Use of a recording system for excused or unexcused absence.

  • Use of a recording system for tardiness or early departure.

  • Use of a recording system for each scheduled day of instruction.

  • Use of dates for entries and withdrawal of enrollment.

  • Inclusion of the comprehensive attendance policy on the school website.

  • Review of the policy annually during faculty conference day.

• When Attendance Will be Recorded/Checked

  • Daily at primary and intermediate levels.

  • Period by period at junior high level (departmentalized classes).

• Determination of Which Absences are Excused and Which are Not, and a Coding System for All Absences

  • Excused Absences 

    • Sick                            ES

    • Medical Appointment                EM

    • Family Sickness/Death/Emergency         EF

    • Religious Observance                ER

    • Court Appearance                    EC

    • Weather/Impassable Roads            EW

    • District Transportation                ED

    • Other (Documented/Noted)            EO

    • Take Child to Work Day                UW

    • Visit to High School                UV

    • Field Trip                        FT

  • Unexcused Absences

    • Music Lesson                    UM

    • Other (Not Deemed Acceptable)        UO

    • Problem with Car/Ride                UP

    • Out of School Suspension            OSU

    • In School Suspension                ISU         

• Description of School Policy Regarding Attendance and Course Credit

  • All students must attend class a minimum of 85% of the time. In September, teachers emphasize the importance of school attendance to all students. This reminder is also printed in the school handbook. 

• Description of Incentives/Sanctions to be Used

  • Perfect Attendance Awards given according to school policy.

  • Regular attendance determines promotion. Students must demonstrate competence for promotion to next grade level.

  • Excessive irregular attendance warrants notification of proper authorities.

• Description of Notification of Parents

  • Parents notify school for absence and/or tardiness.

  • School nurse calls parents if parent has not called school.

  • Students who are tardy must report to the office before going to their classroom.

  • A written excuse must be submitted by the parent giving specific reason for absence within three days.

  • A note must be submitted to the school office when a student is going to be released early. A parent or guardian comes to the school office and signs out the student to be released.

• Description of the Development Process for Intervention Strategies

  • The school nurse and school secretary keep the administration aware of persistent attendance problems or patterns. The school notifies the parents of the problem and pattern. If the problem or pattern continues, the school administration will notify proper authorities.

• Identification of the Person to Review Attendance Records and Initiate Action

  • Pupil attendance records shall be reviewed by the principal for the purpose of initiating appropriate action to address unexcused pupil absences, tardiness, and early departure.