Excused Absences

A student’s absence from school shall be considered excused if written documentation of the reason for the absence has been submitted within ten school days of the student’s return to school in accordance with Section 10-210 of the Connecticut General Statutes and meets the following criteria:

1. 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

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

   1. 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 emergencies 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.

Parent or Guardian absence notes must include the following information: Seymour High School Reason for Absence Note Link

1. Student's full name and grade [especially important when a parent's and child's name are different]

2. Date(s) of absence,

3. Full reason(s) for absence.

4. Signature of parent/guardian.

Unexcused Absences

A student’s absence from school shall be considered unexcused unless they meet one of the following criteria:

1. the absence meets the definition of an excused absence (including documentation requirements); or

2. the absence meets the definition of a disciplinary absence.

Updated 8/18/2021