Attendance Policy

Dear PS 130 Families,

We are enthusiastic about the successful start of our 2025-2026 school year. We are writing to work in partnership with you to ensure the safety and well-being of every student while we continue to educate and help students blossom.  To do so, we must ensure that our students attend school consistently and come to school ready to learn. We would like to take the time to review our Attendance Policy. Students’ attendance is crucial for academic success:

1. If your child is sick, please keep your child home. 

2. If your child is home, please contact his/her teacher via Parent Square. Furthermore, parents can now complete the Student Absence Form that is posted on Parent Square and/or sent by Ms. Pawson. Lastly, you can call the Main office at 718-819-2230. 

3. When your child returns to school, please send a note/ medical note (when appropriate ) explaining why your child was absent. 

4. If you are going on an extended trip, please provide the departure date and the return date to our school secretary, Stacy Zoumboulis (szoumboulis@schools.nyc.gov ), and let your child’s teacher know. This allows the teacher to give the student work that he/she may miss. 

5. Please be aware that even if you provide medical information or information  regarding extended travel, we are obligated to send a letter home stating the number of absences. Student absences will still be coded as a medical explanation or extended vacation.  

6. Please note that frequent or unexcused lateness or early departure requires the same follow-up intervention procedures as absence.

School Response and Support 

1. Your child’s teacher will reach out to offer support and ensure your child is okay if he/she is absent for more than one day. 

2. Our attendance team will reach out to students who are at risk of being chronically absent to offer interventions and support. Chronically absent is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year. This can mean missing just two days a month.

3. Our district attendance teacher, Denise Velez, may reach out to families that continue to have chronic attendance problems.  

We know the importance of keeping your child healthy and safe. In addition, we see the value of learning and the impact attendance has on learning. Therefore, the Department of Education's attendance policy requires us to document absences and assist families with issues that may impede upon their child’s attendance. If you need support or resources to help with your child’s needs, please contact one of the following:

• School Counselor, Ereni Polydefkis (epolydefkis2@schools.nyc.gov) 

• School Social Worker, Chris Silva (csilva11@schools.nyc.gov) 

• Parent Coordinator, Kelly Pawson (kpawason@schools.nyc.gov ) 

Research shows that attendance does affect children’s academic progress, and here at P.S. 130, we want to ensure that all children have an opportunity to excel and achieve.  We look forward to working in partnership to ensure that students are safe and come to school ready to grow and learn. 

Sincerely, 

P.S. 130 Attendance Team