Attendance Improvement Team

At regular intervals throughout the year, the Attendance Improvement Team meets to discuss students.  At the regular meetings, the team reviews attendance data and discusses individual students.  If necessary, the team meets with families, creates improvement plans, and provides support.  On average, a child is absent for three days for an entire school year.  The team meets with families and children who far exceed this amount.  Team members include the school social worker, school nurse, social services case worker from Livingston County, and the building principal.  The Avon Central School Code of Conduct outlines attendance as follows:

COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT ATTENDANCE:   
All children in grades K – 12 are expected to attend school daily as required by New York State Education Law.  Daily attendance of the child is the legal responsibility of the parent.  Parents will receive written notification if their child is absent from classes for five, ten, fifteen and twenty days

  • Five-day notification requests that parents monitor their child’s attendance

  • Ten-day notification reminds parents of their responsibility to ensure their child attends daily and does not neglect their educational responsibilities as a parent.  It also informs parents that if this pattern continues, the district will need to provide support to assist with this problem.

  • Fifteen-day and twenty-day notification letters stress how important it is as parents or guardians to make sure their child is attending school regularly.  It states the district’s position that the district can not allow the child’s education to be neglected by extensive absenteeism. This letter informs parents that they will be contacted by an agency designated by the school district to determine the issues and seek the appropriate interventions.

EXCUSED ABSENCES (Defined by New York State Education Law):

  • Personal illness

  • Illness or death in the family

  • Impassable or unsafe roads

  • Quarantine

  • Observance of certain religious days

  • Required court appearance

  • Attendance at health clinics

  • School supervised projects

  • Approved college visits (by building administrator)

  • Approved cooperative work programs (by building administrator)

  • Military obligations

Students are responsible for any work missed during any absence.  Teachers will not prepare assignments before a vacation but will assist in as many ways as possible following the return from a vacation.  However, it is not reasonable to expect special tests, extra and/or special classes.

PARENT EXCUSE:
A written excuse from the parent or guardian is appreciated when turned in to the office after a child returns from an absence.  The excuse should state the date(s) of absence(s), the student’s name, and the reason for the absence(s). A personal telephone call or email to the school nurse from the parent or guardian may also be recorded as the excuse.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCE:
Examples of unexcused absences are:  Family vacation, hunting, babysitting, hair cut, obtaining a learner’s permit, road test, oversleeping, take your child to work day, and shopping.

TARDINESS:
Tardiness is defined as a student who is late for school.  A student who is tardy for school must report to the office to obtain admittance to school.

TRUANCY:
Truancy is defined as cutting the entire school day program or cutting class.  Students who are truant from class or school shall not be given an opportunity to make up any class work or tests.  A zero will be given for the day for each class cut.