Absences
ABSENCES
Any time a child misses school, they are considered absent. All absences count as missed days - regardless of the reason for the absence. This is different in the Lower School than in the other divisions. There are no “excused absences” in the Lower School, even for illness. This is because for students of this age, the most important learning which is missed when a child is absent is social-emotional learning. That is something which cannot be caught-up outside of school.
If a student is ill or will be absent from school for other reasons, parents are requested to email the child's homeroom teacher. The teacher will document the information regarding the absence in Powerschool.
Although ASM recognizes that there are special circumstances that necessitate parents taking students out of school, parents are strongly encouraged not to take their children out of school for extended vacations. When absent, children miss out on important learning opportunities including instruction by the teacher, class discussions, as well as participation in group work. Inconsistency in school attendance has an impact on student learning.
A student who misses more than 18 school days in a year may be in danger of not successfully completing the school year. All absence (whether for sickness or vacation) count.
In Spain, school attendance is mandatory. The Lower School Director will send an Absence Awareness Letter to parents if a child's absences approach, reach or exceed 18 days. These letters are automatically generated and meant to convey the importance of improved attendance to families.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
In most cases, teachers will not provide students with specific assignments prior to an absence; however, teachers may instead suggest ways that parents can support their child when he/she will be missing or has missed several days of school.
In order to be excused from participation in physical education, a doctor’s note or an explanatory email from a parent is required. If the child is excused from participating, she/he will be required to sit on the sidelines and be supportive of class activities.
A student must attend school on the day of a special program or performance in order to participate. To participate in a sport, the student must have participated in their physical education class that day.
Students who are unwell should stay home.
COVID RELATED ABSENCES
If your child is quarantined due to a Covid related absence we will provide a choice board of activities each week for the duration of the activity. The homeroom teacher will also check in with the student every five days on Google Meets. Choice Board work will not be returned, checked, or marked by teachers as their focus will be on the physically present children.
If your child’s whole class is quarantined, the teacher will conduct virtual learning classes.
Families with medical or other concerns which result in the student being out of school longer than 14 days will be assisted in finding a quality Homeschooling program that is in line with our ASM curriculum, but not directly supported by us. (Basically, there are companies and groups who do that well and will do so better than we can while trying to launch our on-site program, too.) We will help families find those options and welcome children back if and when they can to return to ASM this year.