Attendance
School Absence
A parent or guardian must call the attendance office at 844-3014 option 2 between 7:00 - 8:00 a.m., when the student will be absent from school and state the reason for the absence.
Also call this number to indicate if your student will be tardy or dismissed early from school. A parent must call to verify an absence or the student absence will be recorded as unexcused. The school will only accept reasons that are consistent with the Board of Education Policy. Skip days are considered unauthorized absences from school.
Attendance Policy - For Full Policy See - BOE Policy 5113
All students enrolled in Granby Memorial High School shall be required to attend school in accordance with the State Statutes of Connecticut (CT 10-184).
Connecticut State Board of Education
Definitions of Excused and Unexcused Absences
Adopted June 27, 2012
The following definitions are for use by Connecticut school districts and schools for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of section 10-198a of the Connecticut General Statutes (Policies and procedures concerning truants), and for the purpose of reporting truancy, pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 10-220 of the Connecticut General Statutes. The use of these definitions for state purposes does not preclude districts from using separate definitions of excused and unexcused absences for their internal uses (including decisions on promotion/retention, grading and disciplinary action).
Excused Absences
A student’s absence1 from school shall be considered excused if written documentation2 of the reason for the absence has been submitted within ten school days of the student’s return to school or in accordance with Section 10-210 of the Connecticut General Statutes and meets the following criteria:
A. For absences one through nine, a student’s absences from school are considered excused when the student’s parent/guardian approves such absence and submits appropriate documentation; and
B. For the tenth absence and all absences thereafter, a student’s absences from school are considered excused for the following reasons:
1. student illness (Note: all student illness absences must be verified by an appropriately licensed medical professional to be deemed excused, regardless of the length of absence);
2. student’s observance of a religious holiday;
3. death in the student’s family or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family;
4. mandated court appearances (additional documentation required);
5. the lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends (no parental documentation is required for this reason); or
6. extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by district administrators and in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education guidance.
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1 The Connecticut State Board of Education policy states that “A student is considered to be ‘in attendance’ if present at his/her assigned school, or an activity sponsored by the school (e.g., field trip), for at least half of the regular school day. A student who is serving an out-of-school suspension or expulsion should always be considered absent.” A student not meeting the definition of ‘in attendance’ is considered absent.
2 Such documentation should include a signed note from the student’s parent/guardian, a signed note from a school official that spoke in person with the parent/guardian regarding the absence, or a note confirming the absence by the school nurse or by a licensed medical professional, as appropriate. Documentation should explain the nature of and the reason for the absence as well as the length of the absence. Separate documentation must be submitted for each incidence of absenteeism. For example, if a student is out sick two consecutive days, that student must submit the appropriate documentation covering both sick days. If a student is out sick two nonconsecutive days, that student must submit the appropriate documentation following each absence. Schools should take steps to allow non-English speaking parents/guardians to submit documentation in their native language.
Unexcused Absences
A student’s absence from school shall be considered unexcused unless they meet one of the following criteria:
A. the absence meets the definition for an excused absence (including documentation requirements); or
B. the absence meets the definition of a disciplinary absence.
Loss of Course Credit
In grades 9 through 12, the Board of Education authorizes the loss of course credit for unsatisfactory attendance and disciplinary penalties for tardiness in accordance with these administrative regulations.
All classroom assignments must be attended in conformity with the following minimum guidelines:
Two (2) unexcused absences from any quarter, semester, or full year course will result in the loss of ¼ credit, no matter when they occur in the course in question. An unexcused absence from a double period class constitutes two unexcused absences and the loss of a ¼ credit.
Four (4) unexcused absences from a semester or full year course will result in the loss of ½ credit, no matter when they occur in the course in question.
Six (6) unexcused absences in a full year course will result in the loss of ¾ credit, no matter when they occur in the course in question.
Eight (8) unexcused absences in a full year course will result in the loss of one (1) credit, no matter when they occur in the course in question.
For the purpose of this regulation, three (3) unexcused incidents of tardiness per class will equate to one (1) unexcused absence. Any unexcused absence(s) will be cumulative from one quarter to the next and one semester to the next; therefore, credit will be denied in accordance with the aforementioned provisions of 1-4.
When a tardiness to class exceeds on half (½) of a class period, the student shall be considered absent for the entire period.
Personal illness must be verified by a doctor's note for the tenth (10th) absence and any absence beyond ten (10).
The school recognizes unique family needs which may require absence(s) from school. Parental request of up to three such absences per year may be excused by the school administration in advance of the absence. Examples of such absences would include college visits, family emergencies and special events. The intent of these pre-excused absences is not to extend school vacation.
Attendance Procedures
Attendance will be taken every day in each class by the teacher, or any other person authorized by the administration.
A student's absence from school shall be considered "excused" if written documentation of the reason for such absence has been submitted within ten (10) school days of the student's return to school and meets the following criteria: Such documentation includes a signed note from the student's parent/guardian, a signed note from a school official that spoke in person with the parent/guardian regarding the absence, or a note confirming the absence by the school nurse or by a licensed medical professional, as appropriate. Documentation should explain the nature of and the reason for the absence as well as the length of the absence. Separate documentation must be submitted for each incidence of absenteeism. Failure to follow this will result in the absence(s) being recorded as unexcused.
Tardiness to class means not being in the classroom when the beginning bell rings.
Timely notification concerning potential loss of credit will be sent to parents and students. Administrative procedures will require that a copy of the credit withdrawal warning notice be forwarded to the student's guidance counselor who will provide appropriate counseling concerning attendance matters.
Appeals
Parents and students have the right to appeal the credit withdrawal. The appeal must be requested in writing within ten (10) school days after notification of credit withdrawal and directed to the school principal.
An Appeals Board, consisting of the subject teacher, the student's counselor and an administrator will informally hear all requests. Other pupil personnel faculty may be invited by the Appeals Board to participate when appropriate. All parties only directly involved may attend the informal hearing. The Appeals Board will meet at their discretion, within a reasonable period of time.
The Appeals Board will consider:
A. Information provided by parent(s)/guardian(s) and/or administration
B. Documentation from medical personnel
C. The student's attendance record
D. The student's request to earn back lost credit
E. Other information deemed appropriate by the administration
4. Decisions of the Appeals Board will be submitted to the Superintendent of Schools
5. Decisions of the Appeals Board are final.
Lost Credit - Make-Up - Administrative Procedures
Granby Memorial High School students who lose credit pursuant to the Attendance Policy will be allowed to make up credit under the following conditions:
Course Required for Graduation
a. If the unexcused absences occurred in more than one (1) marking period, the teacher of the course will determine the marking period which must be made up.
b. If the unexcused absences occurred in one marking period, that marking period must be made up.
c. If more than one half (1/2) the potential credit in a course is lost, the entire course must be made up with a passing grade.
2. Elective Course
The original grade and credit loss will remain unless the student elects to make up the lost credit.
3. Grading Procedures
The grade earned during a repeated marking period will be averaged with the original grade earned. The grade for the course will be re-calculated using the average from the marking period(s) repeated.
4. Time Limits
Credit loss must be made up no later than the end of the next academic year following the loss of credit or no later than the next year the course is offered.
5. Absences from Class
In addition to possibly losing credit, students may be assigned the following consequences for cutting classes: 1st offense, detention; 2nd offense, Saturday school; 3rd and subsequent offenses, in-school suspension.
Make Up Work and Tests After Absences
The responsibility and initiative for making up missed work rests with the student. Decisions on work to be completed and the time limit to complete work are at the discretion of the teacher. A one (1) week limit is considered reasonable.
Prolonged Absences
Prolonged absences are three (3) or more days of continuous absence. If a student is able to study at home, the parent should call the school office and home assignments will be prepared. These assignments may be picked up the following day after 2:30 p.m. in the office. Please allow one (1) working day for the collection of these assignments. Parents must notify the administration of any planned or unforeseen prolonged absence. Parents or guardians must also utilize extreme discretion when planning family vacations other than during scheduled school recesses. The school does not condone removing a student from classes for an extended period of time for such reasons. Students who are approved to miss school will be responsible to secure all assignments one (1) week prior to leaving.
Truancy From School
Students who are truant will be assigned a "zero" for all class work. All provisions of the Attendance Policy will apply to truancy. (See Attendance Policy).
Tardiness to Class
Three (3) tardies to class will be assessed a class cut and students who accrue 3 tardies will be assigned a detention. Students will incur academic consequences per the Board of Education Attendance Policy. When tardiness exceeds one-half (1/2) the class period, the student will be charged with a class cut and will incur the appropriate academic and disciplinary consequences.
Tardiness to School
Students arriving tardy within the first half of a class period will receive a class tardy (please see acceptable excused absences/tardiness). Students arriving to school more than halfway through the class period will receive a class cut and receive the appropriate academic and disciplinary consequences. After three (3) unexcused tardies (see policy on Excused absences/tardies) to school, students will be assigned a PM school for each subsequent tardy. This is in addition to any academic consequence that might occur as a result of the attendance policy.
Leaving School
Medical, and Dental appointments SHOULD NOT be scheduled during school hours. When this is impossible, an early dismissal will be arranged only when the parent or guardian has called the school prior to the appointment and has explained why the early dismissal is required. Students may NOT leave school without prior permission from an administrator. Driver education classes can not be scheduled during academic class time. This is considered an unexcused absence.
A student leaving school without permission from an administrator will be assigned Saturday school upon the first offense and unexcused tardiness will be recorded in all classes missed.
Subsequent infractions will result in suspension. Any student who must leave school during school hours, MUST SIGN OUT AT THE OFFICE BEFORE DEPARTURE.