Excuses
All instances of an excused absence require a written explanation from the parent/guardian within three days of the absence. The excuse must identify the date/time of absence, the reason for absence, tardiness, or early departure, and parent/guardian signature. Students failing to present an excuse prior to an early departure or upon returning back to school following an absence or tardiness with three days of the absence will be subject to the absence being recorded as "unexcused" with the possibility of denial of course credit as defined in the Board of Education Regulation #7005.
Disciplinary Sanctions
When other forms of intervention fail, nonacademic sanctions, including the loss of privileges (e.g. participation in interscholastic sports or in extracurricular activities, attendance at school-sponsored events), may be imposed.
Excessive or unreasonable absences and tardiness may properly be the basis for disciplinary action. The use of detentions related to unexcused absence from school is authorized. In-school suspensions are authorized with administrative discretion.
Reference Section 3214 of Education Law.
Tardiness
Tardiness in the High School occurs when the pupil is not present at the start of the designated school day, and/or any given start of a class period. Three unexcused incidences of tardiness to school and/or any class period will be counted as one unexcused absence in defining a pupil's total unexcused absences and potential for denial of course credit.
Tardiness in the Elementary school occurs when the pupil is not present at the start of the designated school day. Three unexcused incidences of tardiness to school will be counted as on unexcused absence in defining the pupil's total unexcused absences. Unexcused absences totaling more than 10% of a student's daily attendance may be reported to the Department of Social Services for educational neglect.
Notification
Written notification to parents concerning student's absences, tardiness or early departures, will take place at 10 absences for full-credit courses, and intervals of 5 absences for 1/2 credit courses. The correspondence will include information that resource/support personnel are available.