There are very strict requirements for attendance set at 94% for every attending child kindergarten through the 5th Grade. The State Education Department and the New York City Department of Education set attendance standards. This year we will be monitoring CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM very closely. Excessive lateness will also be monitored, and parent meetings will be held. A student that is absent 2-days a month in the course of the school year is considered to have Chronic Absenteeism.
*Please note: Children’s promotion may be in doubt if they exceed 20 days for the year along with other academic criteria.
All students are required to bring to school a letter (from a doctor, healthcare provider or parent/guardian) that explains the reason for each absence. (This letter must be brought to the office or sent to the teacher after every absence.) The following steps should be followed EVERY time:
- Child must return to school with a NOTE from a doctor, nurse, clinic, or parent, with child’s full name on it.
- Child must give this note to their teacher or brought to the Main Office by the parent. This step is extremely important. (Notes left in book bags, lost or forgotten cannot be entered into the computer.)
- Teacher records the note and forwards it to our attendance staff.
- The attendance staff completes the computer entry, making the absence valid and excused (when applicable). Attendance staff will call parents for any uncertified absences.
- Additionally, parent vacations should be scheduled around school vacations and NOT school time. Removing children during the academic year is not permissible and interferes with continuity of their instruction.