DEFINITIONS: 

      An absence occurs when a student is NOT present at school or at a school endorsed activity.  Tardiness occurs when a student arrives after the official, documented start time of school.  Early dismissal occurs when a student leaves before the documented official end time of the school day.

➤UNEXCUSED ABSENCES/TARDIES AND DISMISSALS-Every absence, late arrival or early dismissal is considered unexcused.  Student travel/vacation is an unexcused absence.  Students absent due to illness, injury, suspension or any other unexcused reason on the day of a school related activity, e.g. athletic event, club event, or dance may not attend those functions, this includes weekend events when students are absent on the day before..

➤  EXCUSED ABSENCES/TARDIES AND DISMISSALS – These include a student’s participation in an approved school-sponsored activity, a pre-approved college visit, driving test, funeral, religious holiday, family emergency (approved by administration), court appearance, dentist/doctor or other medical professional excused illness or injury (note from that medical professional must be submitted within 3 days of the absence), acute or chronic illness or suspension days. 

➤  ACUTE ILLNESS – When a student has a medical need that does not require on-going/long term care (e.g. knee surgery, etc.) A note from the medical professional must be shared with the school. Subsequent absences due to the nature of care for the illness will be considered excused. 

➤  CHRONIC ILLNESS – A student that requires continued care with a doctor or medical professional (e.g. Type II Diabetes, etc.) must provide documentation of the treatment. Subsequent absences due to the nature of care will be considered excused. 

PLEASE NOTE: Parent/Guardian permission in and of itself is not recognized as a legitimate reason for an excused  absence per the State of Rhode Island. Every effort should be made to schedule appointments for students outside of school hours. 

➤  TARDY TO SCHOOL - Arriving late to school is considered unexcused per RI law 16-19-1.  Students who arrive at school after 8:00 am will be considered tardy.  Students who arrive after 12:00 pm without a parent/guardian OR with a medical note will not be permitted to enter and will be considered absent for the day.

➤  TARDY TO CLASS:   It is the responsibility of every student to arrive at class on time. Passing time DOES NOT allow for socializing. Tardiness to class may result in teacher detention. 

➤  LEAVING SCHOOL WITHOUT PERMISSION:  Consequences for any student leaving the school without permission during school hours will include parent notification, social probation, loss of credit for class work missed and/or placement in V.I.B.E/ISS. 

Students may not leave school unless it is due to an unavoidable medical or legal appointment. Students should return to school with medical or legal documentation for the time they were absent. 

➤  EARLY DISMISSAL:  Early dismissals will be excused by the administration for emergency reasons only. Dismissals for reasons other than an emergency require documentation. A note must be presented to the attendance office on the day of dismissal and the note will be verified by the Attendance Office. No early dismissals will be taken over the phone without verification. Students that are not feeling well must be dismissed through the nurses office so that the dismissal will be considered excused.

Please note: if a student has an unexcused dismissal, they will NOT be allowed to return to school or participate in any extracurricular activities for that day. 

NOTE:   appointments are not a valid reason to warrant an excused absence and, to the extent possible, should be scheduled after school. 

➤ CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM  is a measure of how many students miss a defined number of school days for any reason. The Rhode Island Department of Education defines a school’s chronic absenteeism rate as the percentage of students who miss 10% of more school days throughout the school year. As a total, this means that chronic absenteeism is defined as absences per year or, generally speaking, 2 days per month. Research indicates that chronic absenteeism is associated with a number of negative consequences, including lower achievement, disengagement from school, course failure, and an increased risk of dropping out. Students who meet these criteria may receive disciplinary action at the discretion of the administration. Students may also be referred to the Truancy Diversion Program. Community Service may be assigned at the discretion of the judge in the Truancy Diversion Program. If truancy continues a student may be referred to Family Court for a formal hearing in Providence. 

ATTENDANCE-ACTIVITIES

School Extracurricular Activities can NOT supersede attendance in class.  In order to take part in any activity, a student must attend a regularly scheduled, full day of school.  Any student who misses more than 30 minutes of the school day or class due to an unexcused tardy or dismissal will be excluded from taking part in any after school or evening activity.  Any exception to this rule must be made by the administration.