Regular school attendance is essential to the total education of the student. It is the belief of the Pittsfield Public Schools (PPS) system that one of the most significant factors affecting school success is regular attendance. Time in class is essential to the growth and development of each student and time lost will limit the opportunity for uniform instructional interaction and support. Parents are ultimately responsible
to ensure that their children attend school on a regular basis.
A school’s daily attendance rate is now a mandatory requirement under the federal No Child Left Behind requirements. Schools failing to meet an attendance rate of 92% or higher will result in automatic failure in meeting required Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) indicators.
EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Students must bring in a note to the school for each day, or part of day, that they are absent. This note or contact must include the date absent and the reason for the absence. Students absent for 3 or more consecutive days must provide a not from a health care provider.
Such absences are classified as either excused or unexcused.
Absence for any of the following reasons will be classified as excused provided that the school receives verification from the parent/guardian within three (3) school days of the student's return from absence:
1. Illness or injury that prevents the student from attending school. A health care provider, the school nurse, or the parent must verify the illness or injury. Note: tutoring will be available to any student who is ill for 9 consecutive days and presents medical documentation (a physician’s note)
2. Bereavement for a member of the immediate family, (parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle, cousin); other bereavement if approved by the Principal or School Community Coordinator.
3. Specified religious holidays (STU-17)
4. Required court appearances
5. Medical or psychological tests during the school day. The parent must show evidence (such as a note from the health care provider) that the tests could not be scheduled after school
6. Other functions, activities, or extraordinary situations approved by the school principal
The school office will maintain records for all students delineating excused and unexcused absence from school or class.
B. TARDINESS
Tardiness to class not only limits the amount of time that an individual student can be engaged and on task but also is disruptive to the class as a whole. In order to encourage student promptness to class, school staff will continually research best practices and adjust guidelines accordingly.
For high school students, being late for class may result in detention. In the elementary schools, tardiness may result in the calling of a parent meeting.
C. ATTENDANCE OFFICER
The Pittsfield Public Schools’ Attendance Coordinator William Heaphy (499-9521) will make house and school visits regarding excessive absence, excessive tardiness, and truancy and will investigate and make recommendations in all school cases in juvenile court and in all cases of school offenders and truants.
The attendance officer is empowered to pick up truant students in the community and bring them to school. Parents will be contacted and informed about follow-up and/or disciplinary action.
D. DISMISSALS
Parents/guardians should make all efforts to schedule professional appointments after school hours. In cases that students must be dismissed, parents must provide a note indicating the time of dismissal as well as the reason for the early dismissal. This note must be presented to the classroom teacher or personnel in the main office. Students will not be dismissed after 2:45 unless a doctor's note is presented with date and time of scheduled appointment. The school nurse will also assess student illness/injury within the school day and will coordinate dismissal with the parent.