Attendance

Grasso Attendance Line: 860-441-0323

Attendance as a Course Requirement

Regular attendance by students is a critical aspect of the educational process. Without daily classroom attendance, a student does not receive the benefits of personal interaction with his/her teacher and other students. Ideas are often exchanged which enrich the learning experiences, and research indicates that the mere makeup of assignments and time cannot substitute for actual physical presence and involvement in the classroom.

Furthermore, in order to prepare students for the actual world of work, the Connecticut Technical High School expects from its students what employers will expect, and thus provides a smooth transition from school to work. The Connecticut Technical High School’s attendance policy is designed to develop in students a sense of responsibility and cooperation.

The educational objectives to be achieved by an attendance policy are as follows:

1. Increase attendance.

2. Increase punctuality.

3. Improve scholastic performance.

4. Develop an attitude of cooperation and responsibility in the student.

5. Place the responsibility of attendance and punctuality on the students and parents.

6. Develop work habits that are beneficial to future employment.

7. Develop an awareness of the importance of attendance on the part of both students and parents.

Attendance Credit

Students must be present in school for the time equivalent of a shortened school day to receive credit for attendance on that day. A shortened school day is one half or more of the scheduled school day.

Excused Absences

The first nine absences are automatically excused, and the absence can be for any reason, and occur anytime during the year, as long as the parent approves. If the first nine absences are excused by a doctor the nine absences are still used up. After the first nine absences, subsequent absences are either excused or unexcused depending on the reasons listed in the policy. This means:

• For absences one through nine, a student’s absences from school are considered excused whenever the student’s parent/guardian approves such absence and submits appropriate documentation;

• For the tenth absence and all absences thereafter, a student’s absences from school are considered excused only for the following reasons:

1. Participation in school-approved activities with prior permission of the principal.

2. Medical reasons for student or immediate family which are verified by a physician, an APRN/PA, or school nurse.

3. Death in the immediate family (usually 3 days with exceptions).

4. Religious holidays.

5. Suspensions.

6. Failure of sending town or parent to provide transportation.

7. Court appearances 21

8. Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by district administrators.

9. A student whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, shall be granted ten days of excused absences in any school year and additional excused absences to visit the student's parent or legal guardian relative to such leave or deployment of the parent or legal guardian. In the case of excused absences pursuant to this subsection, the student and parent or legal guardian shall be responsible for obtaining assignments from the student's teacher prior to any period of excused absence, and for ensuring that such assignments are completed by the student prior to his or her return to school from such period of excused absence.

Documentation for excused absence(s) must be provided within 30 days.

In order to earn credit for the year, a student may have no more than a total of nine unexcused absences.