The Connecticut State Board of Education, effective July 1, 2012, adopted definitions of excused and unexcused absences. These definitions are for use by all Connecticut school districts and schools for the purpose of carrying out the provisions in Connecticut General Statute 10-198a and the reporting of truancy. This legislation will require the Ledyard Middle School to adjust some practices in how we report truancy. The state defines excused absences as follows: Parents/Guardians can excuse up to nine (9) student absences when the “parent/guardian approves such absence and submits appropriate documentation, i.e., a written note.”
Any absences beyond 9 are considered excused for the following reasons:
Student illness. This must be verified by an appropriately licensed medical professional, regardless of the length of the absence;
Student's observance of a religious holiday;
Death in the student's family or other emergency beyond control of the student's family;
Mandated court appearance. This must be verified with written documentation; ∙ The lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one student attends;
Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by the district's administration and in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education’s guidance; please note that family vacations are also deemed as unexcused absences unless they meet this criterion.
Student absences that are the result of the school or district disciplinary action are excluded from the definition of excused or unexcused absences.
Under these definitions, parents are required to submit written documentation for an absence to be excused. This means that a phone call without timely, written follow-up will automatically be coded as unexcused. Unexcused absences are considered to be any absences that do not meet the above definition or for which the appropriate documentation has not been submitted.
Absence Procedures
Excused vs. Unexcused Absences
Please review the Student Attendance Law & Procedures relating to this issue.
Chronic Absenteeism
The student is considered chronically absent if they miss
Truancy
Truancy is defined by statute as absence(s) from school without the knowledge or approval of parents/guardians and/or school officials. A student aged five to eighteen inclusive with 4 (four) unexcused absences in one month or 10 (ten) unexcused absences in a school year will be considered a truant. Parents have the responsibility to assist school officials in remedying and preventing truancy. School staff are mandated by the state to report excessive absences or patterns of concern. Truancy may also be considered grounds for retention. In addition, a student may lose eligibility for any or all after school activities. Students who accrue 10 excused absences must provide documentation to substantiate any subsequent absences.
Tardiness to School
Tardiness to school or classes has a disruptive effect on the learning of all students. A student is tardy to school if they fail to report to their homeroom by 7:42. We expect students to report to school on time each morning and to make it to each class on time every day. Students arriving to school late must report to the office, sign in, and receive a pass to class. Any student tardy to school must submit a note from a parent to the main office. The note should include time of arrival and the reason. Five unexcused tardies in any month may result in an office detention. The final determination as to whether the tardiness is excused will be made by the administration.
Dismissal During School Hours
Students who will be picked up before the end of the school day must submit a note from parents to the main office in the morning. The note should include the reason for dismissal and the time. The office will issue dismissal passes to be presented by students to their teachers. At the designated time, a parent or guardian must contact the main office by coming in, calling from the parking lot, or ringing the doorbell and remaining outside. The office will verify your identification through checking your license as needed. If the student returns to school the same day, the student must sign in again. If the need to dismiss comes up suddenly, the parent should call the school before coming and submit a note upon arrival. It is important to think of early dismissals as absences from class. Families should make every effort to schedule outside appointments after school.
Arrival at School
Students should not arrive or enter the building before 7:30am. The school doors will be locked until 7:30. Upon arrival students should report to the cafeteria for breakfast, media center or prepare for the opening of the school bell to ring at their lockers and report to homeroom. Students are not permitted to roam and walk others to class. Students cannot leave school grounds once they have arrived. After 2:05, only students who have official school business or who are participating in supervised activities should be in the building and must be checked in with the main office or the teacher they are staying with. There is no late bus provided for students.
Leaving School at End of the Day
Attendance and Co-Curriculars
A student who is absent from school more than a half day (3 hours) will not be permitted to participate in any after school co-curricular activities that day (arrival by 10:45am) If a student receives a suspension, the student may not participate in or attend any activity from the time the suspension is given until the end of the suspension. Exceptions to this policy may be made by the administration as needed.
Family Vacations
Family vacations should coincide with scheduled vacations on our school calendar. Extended or different vacations are not in keeping with school policy. Parents are expected to cooperate in the matter.
In the event that time must be taken, a note must be sent to the principal. Advance assignments are not in keeping with school policy; therefore students are responsible for missed work and must confer with teacher(s) upon return to school for missed assignments.
Make Up Work
Students are required to make up work missed during absences. Make up work should be completed within a period of time equal to the period of absence. Work should be made up on student’s time; not during the next scheduled class. Students are responsible for seeking out teachers for make-up work. Students who are absent may receive an “Incomplete” if work has not been satisfactorily completed. Parents should call before noon if they wish to pick up make-up work after school that day. If an Incomplete is not made up within 2 weeks a grade of “F” may result.
Leaving School Grounds
Once students arrive at school, they must remain until such time as the students are released for the day. If students leave the school grounds during normal school hours, parents and/or the police will be notified as needed.