WEST WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WEST WARWICK HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY
“The mission of West Warwick High School is to instruct students in practical knowledge to foster creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and cultural awareness in order to become ethical, productive, and responsible citizens in a global technological society.”
I. RATIONALE:
In order to achieve our mission to produce productive citizens who are ready for any chosen post secondary pathway (career or college bound) students need to be in school all day every day.
RI LAW Title 16-19-1 requires every child under the age of 18 to attend school every day.
II. PROGRESSIVE INTERVENTION
A. Tier 1 - Students who are absent or tardy will receive a telephone call home that day notifying their parents
B. Tier 2 – Students with five (5) unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals from either class or the school
day will:
1. Be placed on social suspension (see Attendance Probation) for a quarter (or nine weeks)
2. Meet with their guidance counselor
3. Receive a copy of this district attendance policy
4. Sign this district attendance policy where parents and administrator receive a copy and notification of the
meeting
C. Tier 3 – Students with ten (10) unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals from either class or the school day will:
1. Continue on social suspension for nine weeks
2. Meet with an administrator and parent
3. Develop an intervention plan
4. Sign agreement to document meeting
5. Be referred to truancy court (for ten absences only)
D. Tier 4 – Students with fifteen (15) or more unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals from class or the school day per semester may lose privilege to participate in Career Technical Programs or other specialized courses, as well as the potential to not earn credit for course. A meeting with the building principal will be held.
E. Tier 5 – Students with twenty (20) or more unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals from class or the school day will:
1. Be referred to Central Office administration
2. Meet with parent/guardian and Central Office administrator
3. Develop new educational plan including possible alternate placements
III. COLLABORATION EFFORTS
A. School Personnel Responsibilities:
1. Guidance Counselor
a. Monitor attendance
b. Communicate with students and families
c. Keep teachers and administration informed
2. Teachers/advisor
a. Provide make-up work when requested
b. Notify guidance and administration of attendance irregularities
B. Student Responsibilities:
1. To attend school every day and be on time
2. Make up missed work (see school handbook for guidelines) by asking teacher for missing assignments
3. Seek assistance if needed
a. Supports available for attendance issues (or other school concerns)
Administrator
Guidance counselor
School Resource Officer (SRO)
Social Worker/Psychologist
Advisor/Teacher
Nurse
D. Family Responsibilities:
1. Encourage child and ensure school attendance every day
2. Communicate with school personnel if your child will be absent (for any reason)
3. Notify guidance if your child will have an extended absence
4. Contact your child’s guidance counselor for support
IV. SUMMER SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY
In order for a student to be eligible for either summer school or tutoring, he/she must attend school a minimum of 150 days for a year-long course and seventy-five (75) days for a semester course.
V. APPEAL'S PROCESS
All appeals for consideration to participate in summer school and/or tutoring should be made in writing to the school principal by June 10 of each school year. Failure to do so forfeits a student's right to obtain course credit during the summer.
I have read and understand the West Warwick Public Schools Attendance Policy.
__________________________________ _________________
Student Date
Resources:
rigl 16-19-1 Compulsory Attendance
Appendix A - WWSC Policy V. C. 12 a.
WEST WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WEST WARWICK HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL SUSPENSION
I. RATIONALE
Participation in extra and co-curricular activities is a privilege; therefore, the right to participate may be revoked due to academic, attendance, or disciplinary issues.
II. SOCIAL SUSPENSION DEFINITION
Social suspension is the suspension of the right to participate in activities conducted on an extra-curricular or co-curricular basis in the West Warwick School Department due to academic, attendance, or disciplinary issues.
A. ACADEMIC PROBATION
Students will be placed on academic probation for failing to meet the academic standards for eligibility as defined by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (Failing any three classes at the end of an academic quarter.)
B. ATTENDANCE PROBATION
1. Students will be placed on attendance probation when they have accumulated a combination of five (5) unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals per quarter. Once placed on social suspension, they will remain on social suspension for the remainder of that quarter.
2. If a student should accumulate eighteen (18) or more unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissal, they will be automatically placed on social suspension for the remainder of the year.
**Students on attendance probation may be removed from social suspension by serving five (5) morning detentions, for every unexcused tardy BEFORE 8:00 A.M. Any other unexcused absence, tardy, or dismissal is non-negotiable.
RATIONALE: Students have voiced their concern that our current Social Suspension Policy does not distinguish between being a few minutes late, hours late, or even absent for the entire day. This new policy would differentiate between tardiness within the first 30 minutes of school, tardiness after 8:00 A.M., and full day absenteeism.
3. Early dismissal: Any student dismissed from school must bring a doctor’s note and other form of verification (as outlined in the student handbook) for their early dismissal to be considered excused. Students will be placed on attendance probation when they have accumulated a combination of five (5) unexcused early dismissals per quarter. Once placed on social suspension, they will remain on social suspension for the remainder of the quarter.
STUDENTS WISHING TO UTILIZE THE ATTENDANCE REDEMPTION PROGRAM TO BE REMOVED FROM SOCIAL SUSPENSION MUST:
1. Meet with an administrator
2. Enter into an attendance contract (copy attached)
3. Have a contract signed by the student, parent, and an administrator
4. Attend all morning detentions without any blemishes
C. DISCIPLINARY PROBATION
1. Students will be placed on disciplinary probation when any of the following
disciplinary sanctions have occurred:
a. Three (3) or more unserved detentions in a quarter
b. Two (2) out-of-school suspensions in one quarter
c. One ten (10) day suspension in a quarter
d. Two (2) or more visits to AIS (in-school suspension) in one quarter
III. CONSEQUENCE
Students who are placed on social suspension may not participate in or attend any extra-curricular or co-curricular activities. These include athletic programs, clubs, school dances, senior events, and student government activities.
IV. TERM
Unless they are enrolled in the Attendance Redemption Program, Social Suspension shall be assigned for one quarter (9-10 weeks.) It shall only be extended if the problem(s) continue and the student and parent are duly notified. Students added to social suspension in the 4th quarter of the school year will be prohibited from participation in all summer activities and will remain on social suspension until the first day of the following school year. Violations will result in removal from the activity and loss of team privileges in the upcoming school year.
Date Adopted:
June 2, 2015
WEST WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
JOHN F. DEERING MIDDLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY
I. COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
Rhode Island law Title 16-19-1 requires every child to attend public school during all the days and hours that the public schools are in session in the city or town in which the child resides.
II. EXCUSED ABSENCES
A. All excuses must be submitted in writing within five (5) school days to the office secretary upon the student’s return to school. (No written excuses will be accepted after five school days.)
B. The following are the legitimate reasons for absence (per GL 16-19-1):
1. Illness; medical or dental appointments which are unable to be scheduled after regular school hours (verified by a doctor's note and/or receipt)
2. Official, verified court appearance
3. Death in the family
C. School-sponsored activities (e.g., field trips and testing) are not considered absences.
III. PROGRESSIVE INTERVENTION
A. Tier 1 - Students who are absent will receive a telephone call home the day notifying their parents.
B. Tier 2 – Students with five (5) unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals from either class or the school
day each will:
1. Be placed on social suspension (see Social Suspension Policy)
2. Receive a letter including the school Attendance Policy
C. Tier 3 – Students with ten (10) unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals from either class or the school
day will:
1. Refer to Social Suspension Policy applicability
2. Meet with the guidance counselor, attendance officer, and parent/guardian
3. Develop strategies for increased attendance
4. Sign agreement to document meeting
5. Be referred to truancy court (for ten absences only)
D. Tier 4 – Students with twenty (20) unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals from either class or the
school day will:
1. Meet with administrator and a parent/guardian
2. Develop an Intervention Plan; document the meeting
IV. COLLABORATION EFFORTS
A. School Personnel Responsibilities:
1. Guidance Counselor
a. Monitor attendance
b. Communicate with students and families
c. Keep teachers and administration informed
2. Teachers
a. Provide make-up work when requested
b. Notify guidance and administration of attendance irregularities
B. Student Responsibilities:
1. To attend school every day and be on time
2. Make up missed work (see school handbook for guidelines) by asking teacher for missing assignments
3. Seek assistance if needed
a. Supports available for attendance issues (or other school concerns)
1. Administrator
2. Guidance counselor
3. Social worker/Psychologist
4. Teacher
5. Nurse
6. Other
C. Family Responsibilities:
1. Encourage child and ensure school attendance every day
2. Communicate with school personnel if your child will be absent (for any reason)
3. Notify guidance if your child will have an extended absence
4. Contact your child’s guidance counselor for support
Date Adopted:
October 14, 1997
Initials of Chairperson: __________
Effective:
November 6, 1997
Revised:
September 8, 1998
Second Revision:
September 14, 1999
Third Revision:
March 14, 2000
Fourth Revision:
Resources:
rigl 16-19-1 Compulsory Attendance
Appendix A - WWSC Policy V. C. 12 b.
WEST WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
JOHN F. DEERING MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL SUSPENSION POLICY
I. RATIONALE
Participation in extra and co-curricular activities is a privilege; therefore, the right to participate may be revoked due to academic, attendance, or disciplinary issues.
II. DEFINITION
Social suspension is the suspension of the right to participate in activities conducted on an extra-curricular and/or co-curricular basis in the West Warwick School Department due to academic, attendance or disciplinary issues.
III. SOCIAL SUSPENSION CLASSIFICATIONS
A. Academic Issues
Students failing any two (2) classes will be placed on academic probation for the following trimester.
B. Attendance Issues
Students will be placed on attendance probation when they have accumulated five (5) unexcused absences, tardies, and/or dismissals each trimester.
C. Disciplinary Issues
Students will be placed on disciplinary probation when any of the following disciplinary sanctions have occurred:
1. Two (2) suspensions in the same trimester
2. One (1) ten-day suspension
3. Receiving more than five (5) conduct referrals per trimester
IV. CONSEQUENCES
A. Students who are placed on social suspension for attendance and disciplinary reasons may not participate in any
extra-curricular activities for the remainder of that trimester.
B. Students who are placed on social suspension for academic reasons may not participate in any extra-curricular activities for the next trimester.
C. FURTHER CLARIFICATION
1. Level 1: Students will be ineligible for any out of state and overnight field trips if they are placed on social
suspension at any point during the school year.
2. Level 2: Students will be ineligible for any non-curricular field trips and special after school functions (such as
the 8th grade formal dance) if they are placed on social suspension more than one time during the year or
during the time of the event.
3. Level 3: Students will be ineligible to participate in athletic programs, clubs, after school programs, monthly
school dances, during the school day special functions (non-curricular), etc., during the time period they are
on social suspension.
4. Any question of activity\event level will be decided by the Principal if not otherwise clear by this criteria at
least 30 days before the activity\event.
5. Administration reserves the right to keep students from attending any activity\trip for safety reasons.
V. APPEALS
student, parent, and/or guardian may appeal a social suspension to the principal in writing.
Adopted:
July 10, 2012
WEST WARWICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY POLICY
The WWPS believes that regular school attendance is necessary to foster academic achievement and success in life. Research shows that absenteeism has negative effects on a student’s learning, social/emotional health, and future success. The intention of this policy is to encourage, support, and/or enforce school attendance.
Students must be present each day of the school year unless officially excused. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to encourage and monitor school attendance, report absences according to the attendance policy, and work cooperatively with the school to solve any attendance/tardiness issues. (Refer to complete list of excused absences below Section II. B).
While WWPS recognizes that some absences will be excused, both excused and unexcused absences count toward a student being identified as chronically absent (10% or more days absent in a school year).
*Careful consideration is given to individual situations, so that the school’s response is appropriate.
I. COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
Rhode Island Law Title 16-19-1 requires every child (enrolled in Kindergarten, is 6 years old, or is younger than 18) to attend public school during all the days and hours that the public schools are in session in the city or town in which the child resides.
II. EXCUSED ABSENCES
The following are the legitimate reasons for absence:
A. Illness; medical or dental appointments which are unable to be scheduled after regular school hours (verified by a doctor’s note that must be submitted in writing within five (5) school days to the office secretary upon the student’s return to school)
B. Official, verified court appearance (court provided documentation)
C. Death in the family
D. Religious holidays
E. Participation in an approved, school-sponsored activity
F. Suspension days
III. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
All absences not covered by the definition of “excused absences” above shall be considered “unexcused.”
IV. EXCUSED TARDIES
A student shall be considered tardy when he or she arrives to school after the beginning of the official school day.
The following are the legitimate reasons for excused tardies:
A. Illness; medical or dental appointments which are unable to be scheduled after regular school hours (Medical or dental appointments must be documented in writing by a medical professional and provided upon a student’s arrival at school the day of the appointment.)
B. Official, verified court appearance (court provided documentation)
C. Death in the family
D. Religious holidays
E. Participation in an approved school-sponsored activity
V. UNEXCUSED TARDIES
All tardies not covered by the definition of “excused tardies” above shall be considered “unexcused.”
VI. EXCUSED DISMISSALS
A student’s dismissal shall be considered excused when he or she leaves the school before the end of the official school day.
The following are the legitimate reasons for excused dismissals:
A. Illness; medical or dental appointments which are unable to be scheduled after regular school hours (Medical or dental appointments must be documented in writing by a medical professional and provided upon a student’s arrival at school the day of the appointment.)
B. Official, verified court appearance (court provided documentation)
C. Death in the family
D. Religious holidays
E. Participation in an approved school-sponsored activity
VII. UNEXCUSED DISMISSALS
All dismissals not covered by the definition of “excused dismissals” above shall be considered “unexcused.”
VIII. ABSENCE NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE
All absences are recorded and reported as unexcused until notification of an approved reason for excused absence is provided to the main office. It is the parents’/guardians’ responsibility to notify the school regarding a child’s absence on the day of the absence. The school will attempt to contact the parent/ guardian regarding absences if the school has not been notified. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to provide information regarding any absence.
IX. TARDINESS PROCEDURE
All tardy students must report to the main office upon their arrival at school. All tardies are recorded and reported as unexcused until an approved reason for excused tardy is provided to the main office. It is the parent/ guardian’s responsibility to provide information regarding all tardies.
X. EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Students shall be dismissed from school early only with the permission of a parent/guardian. An early dismissal that is granted by the school nurse shall be recorded and reported as an excused early dismissal. All other early dismissals shall be recorded and reported as unexcused until an approved reason for excused early dismissal is provided to the main office. It is the parent/ guardian’s responsibility to provide information regarding all early dismissals.
XI. PROGRESSIVE INTERVENTION
Tier 1 - Students who are absent will receive a telephone call home that day notifying their parent/guardian.
Tier 2 – When a student reaches five (5) unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals from the school day, the school will:
● Send a letter home including the school Attendance Policy
● Contact the parent/guardian to problem solve school attendance pattern
Tier 3 – When a student reaches ten (10) unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals from either class or the school day, the school will:
● Schedule a meeting with the principal and/or designee (e.g., social worker, guidance counselor, etc.), attendance officer, and parent/guardian
● Develop strategies for increased attendance
Tier 4 - When a student reaches more than ten percent (10%) unexcused absences, tardies and/or dismissals from either class or the school day, the school will:
● Schedule a meeting with the principal, a parent/guardian, and other school personnel as needed
● Develop an Intervention Plan; document the meeting and/or may:
● Refer to Truancy or Family Court
● Referred to outside agencies (e.g., Thundermist, etc.)
XII. APPEALS PROCESS
Students and/or parents/guardians who feel aggrieved because of action taken as a result of any section in these regulations may appeal said action to the school administration level at which the action was taken. Further appeals may be taken to the Superintendent of Schools and finally to the School Committee. Further appeals after the School Committee decision may be taken through the process as defined in Title 16 of the General Laws of Rhode Island.
COLLABORATION EFFORTS
School Personnel Responsibilities:
● School Office Personnel
● Monitor attendance
● Communicate with students and families
● Keep teachers and administration informed
Teachers:
● Support students in attaining missed instruction
● Notify principal and/or designee of attendance irregularities
Student Responsibilities:
● To attend school every day and be on time*
● Make up missed work
● Seek assistance if needed
Supports available for attendance issues (or other school concerns):
● Teacher
● Supervisory Assistant
● Nurse
● Administrator
● Social worker/Psychologist
● Other
Responsibilities of the Family and Support System Outside of School:
● Ensure the student’s school attendance all day, every day
● Communicate with school personnel if the student will be absent (for any reason- excused or unexcused)
● Notify school office personnel if the student will have an extended absence (excused or unexcused)
● Contact the student’s teacher to request make-up work
● Contact the student’s school for support
Adopted:
February 9, 1999
Initials of Chairperson: ________
Revised:
March 14, 2000
2nd Revision:
August 12, 2003
3rd Revision:
November 8, 2005
4th Revision:
January 9, 2007
5th Revision:
May , 2011
6th Revision:
July 10, 2012
7th Revision:
May 9, 2017
Resources:
rigl 16-19-1 Compulsory Attendance