Student+Attendance


 * 5100 Comprehensive Attendance Policy **
 * Administrative Guide: Instructional Program and School Attendance **
 * 1) The state legislature has a responsibility to provide schooling for all children within the state at public expense.
 * 2) The legal authority for defining curriculum resides with the legislature,
 * 3) Courts typically do not intervene in curriculum matters because each state retains the authority to establish curriculum standards. They will only intervene if legitimate constitutional issues emerge.
 * 4) Secular curricula are developed by school officials to avoid First Amendment religious conflicts involving church and state.
 * 5) All schools should be held accountable for ensuring that achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students is close to that of their peers under NCLB.
 * 6) Competency tests are supported by the courts where there is no evidence of discriminatory intent.
 * 7) Students may be penalized academically for unexcused absences or truancy if state statue permits. However, policies in this area should be carefully drawn to ensure fairness.
 * 8) Compulsory attendance policies are legally defensible. Parents are accountable and may be penalized for failure to comply with compulsory attendance laws.
 * 9) Exceptions to compulsory attendance policies may be justified based on religious grounds.
 * 10) Home schooling is generally permissible as long as minimal state requirements are met. However, parents do not have a fundamental right to educate their children at home.
 * 11) Public schools generally are required to educate students who reside within their boundaries if the students establish a degree of permanency.
 * 12) Reasonable tuition fees may be imposed on students who attend school outside of their legal residence.
 * 13) Students who are emancipated (not under parental control) are not subject to compulsory attendance requirements.
 * 14) School districts may establish mandatory immunization requirements under the state’s police powers, even over parents’ religious objections.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:1. Must children in New York State attend school? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Yes. Under New Yorks compulsory education law minors who turn 6 years old on or before December 1 in any school year must receive full-time instruction from the first day school is in session in September of such school year. Minors who turn 6 years old after December 1 of a school year must receive full-time instruction from the first day of school in the following September. All children must remain in attendance until the last day of the school year in which they reach the age of 16 ( 3205(1); //In the// //Matter of Kiesha BB,// 30 A.D.3d 704 (3d Dept 2006)). In this context school year refers to the official school year commencing July 1 each year and ending June 30th of the following year (//In the// //Matter of Kiesha BB//) rather than the instructional year, which runs from September through June (see ** 25:1 **). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">However, a school board may require minors from ages 16 through 17 who are not employed to attend school until the last day of the school year in which they become 17 years of age ( 3205(3)). Generally, persons over 5 and under 21 may attend the public schools of the school district in which they reside even if they are not of compulsory education age ( 3202(1); see ** 19:5 7**). Students over the age of compulsory school attendance may be dropped from enrollment only if they are absent 20 consecutive school days and the school district complies with certain required procedures, including, for example, the scheduling of an informal conference with the student and the students parents, and notification of the right to re-enroll ( 3202(1-a)).

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:2. Are there any exemptions from the compulsory education requirements? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Yes, one. Children of compulsory education age (see ** 19:1 **) who have completed a four-year high school course of study do not have to attend school ( 3205(2)(a)). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Otherwise, there is no exception, not even for students under the ages of 16 or 17 who are married. Similarly, although 16- or 17-year-old students who have a certificate of full-time employment do not have to attend full-time, they still must attend school for at least 20 hours per week ( 3205(2)(b); for more detail on employment of students see ** 20:35 44**). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In //Wisconsin v. Yoder//, <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">406 U.S. 205 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> (1972), the United States Supreme Court permitted Amish children to be exempt from compulsory school attendance after the eighth-grade level. However, the exemption was based exclusively on the recognition that the preservation of Amish society depended on its children learning how to maintain an agrarian way of life free from modern technology. According to the court, the exemption did not contravene the principles of public education; rather, it allowed Amish children to be educated in the ways necessary to preserve the Amish way of life.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:3. Are there any exemptions that excuse attendance from an entire curriculum program? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">No. According to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which has jurisdiction over New York State, the claim made by the Amish (see ** 19:2 **), is one that few other religious groups or sects can make. A parent does not have a right to tell a public school what his or her child will and will not be taught. Although school districts may allow students to opt out from portions of a curriculum that are related, for example, to family-life instruction and AIDS education, there are no exemptions that would excuse a child from attending a health curriculum program in its entirety (//Leebaert v. Harrington//, 332 F.3d 134 (2d Cir. 2003)).

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:4. Must children of compulsory education age attend public school? ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">No. Children who are required to receive full-time instruction (see ** 19:1 **) may receive such instruction either in a public, private or parochial school, or at home ( 3202, 3204(1), (2), 3205(1)(a), 3210(2), 3212(2)(d); 8 NYCRR 100.10; //Appeal of Brown//, 34 Ed Dept Rep 33 (1994)). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">However, the compulsory attendance law requires that instruction given to a minor elsewhere than a public school be at least substantially equivalent to the instruction given to minors of like age and attainments at the public schools of the city or district where the minor resides ( 3204(1), (2), 3205(1)(a); //Appeal of Pope//, 40 Ed Dept Rep 473 (2001); //Appeal of Brown//). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">In addition, when parents choose to instruct their children at home, instruction must be provided by a competent instructor ( 3204(2), 3210(2)(d); //Appeal of Brown//). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">For more information on what constitutes substantially equivalent instruction for nonpublic students, see ** 37:2 4**. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">For more information on home-instruction of students, see ** 19:68 85**.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:5. Is a child under the compulsory education age entitled to attend public school? ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Yes. The law provides that a person over 5 and under 21 years of age who does not possess a high school diploma is entitled to attend the public schools maintained in the district where he or she resides ( 3202(1); see //Appeal of Botros//, 46 Ed Dept Rep 142 (2006); see ** 19:1 ** for compulsory age requirements). Furthermore, a child over 5 years of age is entitled to attend public school regardless of whether the district maintains a kindergarten program. Districts without a kindergarten program must admit such a child to the first grade (//Appeal of Carney//, 15 Ed Dept Rep 325 (1976); //Formal Opinion of Counsel No. 75//, 1 Ed Dept Rep 775 (1952)). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">However, when admitting a child who is under the compulsory education age, a school district can require that the child become five years of age on or before December 1 of the school year he or she begins school ( 3202(1); //Appeal of S.H.//, 40 Ed Dept Rep 527 (2001); //Appeal of Tommasetti//, 39 Ed Dept Rep 513 (2000); //Appeal of Sollitto//, 31 Ed Dept Rep 138 (1991)). Additionally, a district that maintains a policy delaying the admission of children who become five after December 1, is not required to alter the policy on an individual basis for particular students (//Frost v. Yerazunis//, <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">53 A.D.2d 15 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> (3d Dept 1976); //Appeal of L.T.//, 47 Ed Dept Rep 23 (2007); //Appeal of S.H//; //Appeal of Tommasetti//; //Appeal of Sollitto//). In contrast, a district may not establish an earlier admission cutoff date and require, for example, that a child become five years of age by the start of the school year for which he or she seeks admission (//Matter of Benjamin//, 26 Ed Dept Rep 533 (1987)). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:6. Are high school graduates entitled to attend public school? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Yes. The law provides that individuals under 21 years of age who have received a high school diploma must be permitted to attend classes in the district in which they reside or in a school of a board of cooperative educational services (BOCES) ( 3202(1); //Matter of Brown//, 15 Ed Dept Rep 79 (1975)). However, any such person who is not a veteran must pay tuition except that the school board may waive the payment of such tuition ( 3202). A high school diploma earned under standards that might be different than those in New York State does not entitle an individual to attend public school tuition free (//Appeal of Botros//, 46 Ed Dept Rep 142 (2006)). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">A non-veteran who has received a high school diploma may not be counted for any state aid purposes ( 3202(1); 8 NYCRR 174.3). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:7. May individuals who have obtained a high school equivalency diploma, but not a high school diploma, attend public school? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Yes. According to the State Education Department, an otherwise qualified individual who has received a high school equivalency diploma, but not a high school diploma, may still attend the public schools in his or her district of residence, without paying tuition, until the age of 21, or until that person has obtained a high school diploma (see //School Executives Bulletin//, NYS Education Department Office of Elementary, Middle and Secondary Education (June 1989)). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:8. Must public school students attend kindergarten? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">No. However, a school district may require any child entering public school under the compulsory education age (see ** 19:1 ** and **19:5**) to attend and complete a year of kindergarten, unless the child has already attended a substantially equivalent nonpublic kindergarten program. In addition, with few exceptions, the Syracuse City School District may require children who turn age five on or before December 1 to attend kindergarten ( 3205(2)(c)). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">A nonpublic kindergarten program will be deemed to be substantially equivalent to that of the public schools if it is registered by the State Education Department. Otherwise, the district must determine its equivalency by either evaluating the program or testing the child to establish his or her ability to do first grade work. If the testing indicates that the child is able to perform at a first grade level, the district must admit the child into the first grade (//Matter of Bruce A.M.//, 32 Ed Dept Rep 335 (1992); //Matter of Pleener//, 30 Ed Dept Rep 55 (1990); //Matter of Lazar//, 6 Ed Dept Rep 7 (1966)). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">A nonpublic kindergarten program may not admit children who are younger than the age of entrance into public school established by the district in which the child resides (8 NYCRR 125.9). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:9. Must public school students attend a prekindergarten program? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">No. Under the universal prekindergarten legislation, school boards may, but are not required to, adopt a plan to provide prekindergarten services to resident children ( 3602-e(5)). If such a plan is adopted by the school board and approved by the commissioner of education, resident children who are four years of age on or before December 1 of the year in which they are enrolled or who will otherwise be first eligible to enter public school kindergarten commencing with the following year will be eligible to receive prekindergarten services ( 3602-e(1)(c); see also //Appeal of Ahn//, 41 Ed Dept Rep 413 (2002)). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">For a summer only universal prekindergarten program, resident children who are five years of age on or after December 1 of the year in which they are enrolled or who will otherwise be first eligible to enter kindergarten within the current school year are eligible to participate (8 NYCRR 151-1.2(d); see also ** 25:8 **). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Once a child is enrolled in a prekindergarten program, an attendance policy must be applied to the child (8 NYCRR 151-1.2(d)). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:10. Can students attend public school part time and receive instruction elsewhere for the balance of the school day? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Only as permitted under section 3602-c of the Education Law, more commonly known as the dual-enrollment law. Pursuant to it, students attending nonpublic schools may receive instruction in the areas of career education, gifted and talented, and education for students with disabilities, and counseling, psychological and social work services related to such instruction. Except for the provisions of the dual-enrollment law, the Legislature has not authorized partial attendance at a public school. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Accordingly, nonpublic school students do not have a right to participate in a public schools credit bearing programs other than those authorized by the dual-enrollment law (//Appeal of Pope,// 40 Ed Dept Rep 473 (2001); //Appeal of Sutton//, 39 Ed Dept Rep 625 (2000); //Matter of Mayshark//, 17 Ed Dept Rep 82 (1977)). Neither do they have a right to participate in the non-credit bearing extra-curricular activities of a public school (//Appeal of Ponte//, 41 Ed Dept Rep 186 (2001)). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Aside from nonpublic school students, the dual-enrollment law does not apply to home-schooled students. Therefore, such students may not be instructed at home for part of the day, and attend classes at a public school for part of the school day (//Id.//), or participate in BOCES programs (//Appeal of Ando//, 45 Ed Dept Rep 523 (2006)). The only exception applies to students with disabilities who are home-schooled ( 3602-c(2-c); see ** 32:33 **). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">For more information on nonpublic and home-schooled students, see ** chapter 37, 19:6885**. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:11. How may individuals over 21 years of age secure a high school diploma? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Section 100.7 of the commissioners regulations provides that an adult may secure a high school equivalency diploma by achieving an acceptable score on the comprehensive examinations required under the New York State Equivalency Diploma program. The individual must have lived in New York State at least one month before the examination, and meet other age and instruction-related requirements (8 NYCRR 100.7(a)(1)). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Additionally, as an alternative to the comprehensive examinations, candidates may qualify by completion of 24 college credits (semester hours) or their equivalent at an approved institution of higher education. The 24 credits must be distributed in the areas of English language arts, mathematics, natural science, social science humanities and other elective courses, as indicated in commissioners regulations (8 NYCRR 100.7(a)(2)(iii)). <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">World War II and Korean War and Vietnam War veterans who did not obtain a high school education may be awarded a high school diploma based on knowledge and experience gained while in service, under a program developed by the commissioner ( 305(29), (29-a), (29-b)). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:12. Must school districts provide educational services to youths who are incarcerated in county correctional facilities or youth shelters? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Yes. The Education Law and the commissioners regulations require school districts to provide educational services to youths under age 21 who do not have a high school diploma and who are incarcerated in county correctional facilities or youth shelters located within their districts. Such instruction must be provided under a plan approved by the commissioner of education and within the limits of funds allocated by the commissioner for such purposes. School districts may contract with a board of cooperative educational services (BOCES) or another school district for the provision of such services (see 3202(7)(a); 8 NYCRR Part 118; //Handberry v. Thompson//, 436 F.3d 52 (2d Cir. 2006)). The school district where the child resided at the time he or she was taken into custody is financially responsible for the cost of instructional services ( 3202(7)(b)). State aid is available ( 3602(13)). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:13. May school districts exclude pregnant students from public school programs? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">No. Public schools may not discriminate against students based on their parental and/or marital status. Pregnant students must be provided with educational opportunities equal to those provided to students who are not pregnant (Title IX of the Educ. Amendments of 1972, 20 USC 1681; 45 CFR 86.40). In addition, pregnant students should be encouraged to remain in school and to participate in programs designed especially for them. All programs for pregnant students should be developed in cooperation with the school physician and student personnel staff to best provide for each individual. Homebound instruction (see ** 19:86 90**) should be made available to pregnant students when necessary. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:14. Must school districts facilitate the enrollment of students released from residential facilities? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Yes. Districts of residence are required to promptly enroll any student released or conditionally released from a residential facility operated by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, the NYS Office of Mental Health, the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities or a local department of social services. Moreover, school districts must designate at least one employee to facilitate the prompt enrollment of these students, receive student records, and serve as the district contact person with residential facilities and state and local agencies. Districts must also implement the education plan for any such students release as submitted to Family Court (8 NYCRR 100.2(ff)).

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19:15. May students be charged fees as a condition of attendance and participation in school programs? **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">No. As a general rule, no fee or charge may be required as a condition of school attendance or credit in a required course (//Appeal of Gordon//, 14 Ed Dept Rep 358 (1975)). Most judicial and administrative decisions regarding this issue date back to the 1970s. However, they establish that a school district: <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">According to one court, the forced sale of supplies to parents and the imposition of a fee on parents unwilling to purchase supplies from a school district violate state constitutional provisions requiring the maintenance and support of free common schools (//UFSD of the Tarrytowns v. Jackson).// <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">In contrast, school districts may use district funds to pay for part or all of the costs of a field trip only if the trip is part of its educational program. Whether a field trip is part of a districts educational program will depend on factors such as whether the trip:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">May not charge for instructional materials that are essential to the maintenance of the educational curriculum (//UFSD of the Tarrytowns v. Jackson//, <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">93 Misc.2d 53 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> (2d Dept 1978); //Appeal of Levittown//, 17 Ed Dept Rep 142 (1977); //Appeal of Hasslocker//, 16 Ed Dept Rep 434 (1977); //Appeal of Gordon//).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">May not allow private instructors to use school facilities and charge students for non-credit bearing instruction such as private music lessons (//Appeal of Gordon//).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">May not require payment of a fee as a condition for participation in sports activities, or a donation to support such activities (//Appeal of Ambrosio//, 30 Ed Dept Rep 387 (1991); but see //Appeal of Posman//, 12 Ed Dept Rep 51 (1972)).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">May rent, sell, or loan supplies to students attending its public schools on such terms and under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the school board ( 701(5); //Sodus CSD v. Rhine//, <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">63 A.D.2d 820 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> (4th Dept 1978); //Reiss v. Abramowitz//, <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">39 A.D.2d 916 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> (2d Dept 1972)).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">May not force parents to purchase supplies through the district (//UFSD of the Tarrytowns v. Jackson//; //Sodus CSD v. Rhine//).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">May not charge a fee to parents who do not want to purchase supplies through the district (//Sodus CSD v. Rhine//; //Appeal of Levittown//; //Appeal of Hasslocker//).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">has been approved as part of the schools educational program;
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">occurs during the regular academic school day and year;
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">is recognized for academic credit;
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">is open to all students;
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">provides that participating students are subject to the districts disciplinary code; and
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">reflects district input into its content, planning, and how the knowledge obtained by students attending will be used in the class curriculum after the trip (//Appeal of Christe//, 39 Ed Dept Rep 685 (2000); //Appeals of Giardina & Carbone//, 43 Ed Dept Rep 395 (2004)).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attendance shall be taken and recorded in accordance with the following: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A record shall be kept of each scheduled day of instruction during which the school is closed for all or part of the day because of extraordinary circumstances including adverse weather conditions, impairment of heating facilities, insufficiency of water supply, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">shortage of fuel, destruction of or damage to a school building, or such other cause as may be found satisfactory to the Commissioner of Education. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attendance records shall also indicate the date when a student withdraws from enrollment or is dropped from enrollment in accordance with Education Law Section 3202(1-a). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">At the conclusion of each class period or school day, all attendance information shall be compiled and provided to the designated school personnel who are responsible for attendance. The nature of the absence, tardiness or early departure shall be coded on a student's record in accordance with the established District/building procedures. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Consistent with the importance of classroom participation, unexcused student absences, tardiness, and early departures will affect a student's grade, including credit for classroom participation, for the marking period. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">With regard to credit bearing courses at the Middle/High School, students will not be granted credit if they exceed the following: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Teachers are not required to make up work with students for unexcused absences. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">At the elementary/middle school level should a child be absent for 45 or more instructional days (both excused and unexcused absences) the building child study or student services team reserves the right to deny promotion to the next grade level. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Transfer students and students re-enrolling after having dropped out will be expected to attend a prorated minimum number of the scheduled class meetings during their time of enrollment. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students will be considered in attendance if the student is: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students who are absent from class due to their participation in a school sponsored activity are to arrange with their teachers to make up any work missed in a timely manner as determined by the student's teacher. Attendance at school sponsored events where instruction is substantially equivalent to the instruction which was missed shall be counted as the equivalent of regular attendance in class. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Upon returning to school following a properly excused absence, tardiness or early departure, it shall be the responsibility of the student to consult with his/her teacher(s) regarding arrangements to make up missed work, assignments and/or tests in accordance with the time schedule specified by the teacher. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">For **__summer school__** more than three (3) excused or unexcused absences will result in denial of course credit. __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Notice of Minimum Attendance Standard/Intervention Strategies Prior to the Denial of Course Credit __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Parent/persons in parental relation and students will be informed of the District's policy regarding minimum attendance and course credit. The implementation of specific intervention strategies will be employed prior to the denial of course credit to the student for insufficient attendance. The following guidelines shall be followed: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">If deemed necessary by appropriate school officials, or if requested by the parent/person in parental relation, a school conference shall be scheduled between the parent/person in parental relation and appropriate staff members in order to address the student's attendance. The student may also be requested to attend this conference in order to address appropriate intervention strategies that best meet the needs of the student.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Amherst Central School **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">ATTENDANCE 7110 COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Statement of Overall Objectives **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> School attendance is both a right and a responsibility. The School District is an active partner with students and parents in the task of ensuring that all students meet or exceed the New York State Learning Standards. Because the School District recognizes that consistent school attendance, academic success and school completion have a positive correlation, the School District has developed, and, if necessary, will revise a Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy to meet the following objectives:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To increase school completion for all students;
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To raise student achievement and close gaps in student performance;
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To identify attendance patterns in order to design attendance improvement efforts;
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To know the whereabouts of every student for safety and other reasons;
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To verify that individual students are complying with education laws relating to compulsory attendance;
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To determine the District's average daily attendance for State aid purposes.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Create and maintain a positive school building culture by fostering a positive physical and psychological environment where the presence of strong adult role models encourages respectful and nurturing interactions between adults and students. This positive school culture is aimed at encouraging a high level of student bonding to the school, which in turn should lead to increased attendance.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Develop a Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy based upon the recommendations of a multifaceted District Policy Development Team that includes representation from the Board of Education, administrators, teachers, students, parents and the community. The District will hold at least one public hearing prior to the adoption of this collaboratively developed Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy.
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Maintain accurate recordkeeping via a Register of Attendance to record attendance, absence, tardiness or early departure of each student.
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Utilize data analysis systems for tracking individual student attendance and individual and group trends in student attendance problems.
 * 11) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Maintain early intervention strategies to improve school attendance for all students.
 * 12) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Excused: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> An absence, tardiness or early departure may be excused if due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads due to inclement weather, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, military obligations or other such reasons as may be approved by the Board of Education.
 * 13) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Unexcused: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> An absence, tardiness or early departure is considered unexcused if the reason for the lack of attendance does not fall into the above categories (e.g., family vacation, hunting, babysitting, hair cut, obtaining learner's permit, road test, oversleeping.)
 * 14) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">For absences or instances of tardiness to be considered under paragraph (a) above, proper documentation must be presented to the designated attendance person **__within three (3) school days__** upon the student's return to school. Documentation should be provided by the person in the parental role or other official designees (e.g., physician, court, etc.)
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Description of Strategies to Meet Objectives **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> The School District will:
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Determination of Excused and Unexcused Absences, Tardiness and Early Departures **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Based upon our District's education and community needs, values and priorities, the School District has determined that absences, tardiness and early departures will be considered excused or unexcused according to the following standards.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Student Attendance Recordkeeping/Data Collection **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> The record of each student's presence, absence, tardiness and early departure shall be kept in a register of attendance in a manner consistent with Commissioner's Regulations. An absence, tardiness or early departure will be entered as "excused" or "unexcused" along with the District code for the reason.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">For students in non-departmentalized kindergarten through grade five (i.e., self-contained classrooms and supervised group movement to other scheduled school activities such as physical education in the gym, assembly, etc.), such student's presence or absence shall be recorded after the taking of attendance once per school day.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">For students in grades six through twelve or in departmentalized schools at any grade level (i.e., students pass individually to different classes throughout the day), each student's presence or absence shall be recorded after the taking of attendance in each period of scheduled instruction except that where students do not change classrooms for each period of scheduled instruction, attendance shall be taken in accordance with paragraph "a" above.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Any absence for a school day or portion thereof shall be recorded as excused or unexcused in accordance with the standards articulated in this policy.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In the event that a student at any instructional level from kindergarten through grade 12 arrives late for or departs early from scheduled instruction, such tardiness or early departure shall be recorded as excused or unexcused in accordance with the standards articulated in this policy.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Student Attendance/Course Credit **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> The District believes that classroom participation is related to and affects a student's performance and grasp of the subject matter and, as such, is properly reflected in a student's final grade. For purposes of this policy, classroom participation means that a student is in class and prepared to work.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">More than **__eight__**unexcused absences in a one credit course
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">More than **__four__** unexcused absences in a half credit course
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">More than **__two__** unexcused in a quarter credit course
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Physically present in the classroom or working under the direction of the classroom teacher during the class scheduled meeting time; or
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Working pursuant to an approved independent study program; or
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Receiving approved alternative instruction.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Copies of the District's Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy will be mailed to parents/persons in parental relation and provided to students at the beginning of each school year or at the time of enrollment in the District. A copy of the policy will be available on the Amherst web site: [|http://www.amherst.k12.ny.us.]
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">School newsletters and publications will include periodic reminders of the components of the District's Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy. Copies of the Attendance Policy will also be included in parent/student handbooks.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">At specified intervals, a designated staff member(s) will notify, by telephone, the parent/person in parental relation of the student's unexcused absence(s), and explain the relationship of the student's attendance to his/her ability to receive course credit. If the parent/person in parental relation cannot be reached by telephone, a letter or e-mail shall be sent detailing this information.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A designated staff member will review the District's Attendance Policy with students who have excessive and/or unexcused absences, tardiness or early departures. Further, appropriate student support services/personnel within the District, as well as the possible collaboration/referral to community support services and agencies, will be implemented __prior to__ the denial of course credit for insufficient attendance by the student.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attendance Incentives **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> In order to encourage student attendance, the District will develop and implement grade appropriate/building-level strategies and programs including, but not limited to:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attendance honor rolls to be posted in prominent places in District buildings and included in District newsletters and, with parent/person in parental relation consent, in community publications;
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Monthly drawings for prizes at each grade level to reward perfect attendance;
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Grade-level rewards at each building for best attendance;
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Classroom acknowledgment of the importance of good attendance (e.g., individual certificates, recognition chart, bulletin boards);
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Annual poster/essay contest on importance of good attendance;
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Assemblies collaboratively developed and promoted by student council, administration, PTA/PTO and other community groups to promote good attendance.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Identify specific patterns (e.g., grade level, building, time frame, type of unexcused absences, tardiness or early departures);
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In specific cases where the pattern involves an individual student, the student and parent/person in parental relation will be contacted;
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Discuss strategies to directly intervene with specific element;
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Recommend intervention to Superintendent or his/her designee if it relates to change in District policy or procedure;
 * 11) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Implement changes, as approved by appropriate administration;
 * 12) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Utilize appropriate District and/or community resources to address and help remediate student unexcused absences or instances of tardiness;
 * 13) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Monitor and report short and long term effects of intervention to Building Principals or designees.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Disciplinary Consequences **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Unexcused absences, tardiness and early departures will result in disciplinary sanctions as described in the District's Code of Conduct. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, in-school suspension, detention and denial of participation in interscholastic and extracurricular activities. Individual buildings/grade levels will address procedures to implement the notification process to the parent/person in parental relation. //In order to participate in after school activities, students must be in attendance by noon on that given day. Students in Out of School Suspension are not eligible to participate in or attend any after school activities for the duration of the suspension.//
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Intervention Strategy Process **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> In order to effectively intervene when an identified pattern of unexcused absences, tardiness or early departures occur, designated District personnel will pursue the following:


 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review Process **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> A parent/person in parental relation may request a building level review of their child's attendance record.


 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Building Review of Attendance Records **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Commencing with the 2003-04 school year, the Building Principal will work in conjunction with the building attendance clerk and other designated staff in reviewing attendance records at the end of each term. This review is conducted to identify individual and group attendance patterns and to initiate appropriate action to address the problem of unexcused absences or instances of tardiness.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Annual Review by the Board of Education **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">T he Board of Education shall annually review the building level student attendance records and if such records show a decline in student attendance, the Board shall make any revisions to the Policy and plan deemed necessary to improve student attendance.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Community Awareness **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Commencing with 2003-2004 school year, the Board of Education shall promote necessary community awareness of the District's Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy by:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Providing a plain language summary of the policy to parents or persons in parental relation to students at the beginning of each school year and promoting the understanding of such a policy to students and their parents/persons in parental relation;
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Providing each teacher, at the beginning of the school year or upon employment, with a copy of the policy; and
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Providing copies of the policy to any other member of the community upon request.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Hornell CSD **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Comprehensive Attendance Policy **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Objectives of the Comprehensive Attendance Policy are:
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Objectives **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To increase school graduation rates;
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To raise student achievement and performance;
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To identify attendance patterns in order to decrease the number of tardy arrivals to school;
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To know the whereabouts of every student for safety and other reasons;
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To verify that individual students are complying with education laws relating to compulsory attendance;
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To determine the school district’s average daily attendance for state aid purposes.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">recommendations of a district attendance policy committee. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Whenever used within the Comprehensive Attendance Policy, the following terms shall mean: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Only a parent or legal guardian may write an excuse for a student who is absent or needs to be excused early for an appointment. Students who do not live with a parent or guardian must meet with the building principal to make arrangements for the signing of their excuses. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Excuses must include: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">ABSENCES MAY BE CALLED IN, BUT A WRITTEN EXCUSE MUST FOLLOW UPON THE STUDENT’S RETURN TO SCHOOL <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The following are deemed to be acceptable reasons for absence from school: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Any other reason approved by the Commissioner of Education <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The following are examples of unacceptable reasons for absence from school. It is only a partial listing. It is not to be assumed that if a reason is **not** listed below that it is acceptable. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A coding system that is consistent with the district’s manual and computerized record keeping needs will be developed and maintained on a district wide basis. The coding system will be in compliance with state guidelines. The following coding system will be used to indicate the reason for a pupil’s missing all or part of <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">scheduled instruction: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Successful implementation of this policy requires cooperation among all members of the educational community, including parents, students, teachers, administrators and all staff members. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">It is the expectation of the Hornell City School District that all students will be present in school on a daily basis. Absence from school will be monitored on an individual student basis. The Principal, Guidance Counselor, teacher and other school officials as a team, will review individual student attendance issues and determine the most effective course of action. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To encourage students to attend school on a regular basis, the following incentives and/or intervention strategies may be used: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Any of the disciplinary measures found in the Hornell City School District’s Code of Conduct may be used as consequences for student attendance issues. In addition, it is possible for a student to lose credit in a course if a student is excessively absent. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The building principal or his/her designee shall be responsible for enforcing the conduct required by this code. This person is responsible for reviewing student attendance records regularly and initiating appropriate action. Where the principal determines that existing intervention policies or practices are insufficient, the principal shall notify the Superintendent prior to the Board of Education’s annual review of the building’s attendance record, of both the insufficient practices and any proposed changes needing Board approval to implement. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A parent may request that the number of absences on record be reviewed. Such a request would be to ensure that no violation of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act has occurred and/or to determine whether the number of unexcused absences is impacted by any “extenuating circumstances.” The appeal should be made to the building principal. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Each September parents of high school students and teachers receive a handbook, which includes the attendance policy. Copies are available in the main office for interested community members and also on the district’s website. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Revised April 2008 // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">It is the policy of the Board of Education that the youngest entrance age for kindergarten students is five years of age on or before November 1st. It is understood that State Education Law allows for children to enter school if they are five years of age on or before December 1st. However, parents will be strongly encouraged to enter their student only if he/she is five years of age on or before November 1st. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Readopted April 2002 // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Board of Education reserves the right to admit nonresident students following an <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">interview with the building principal, recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, and upon payment of tuition. Nonresident students are those whose primary residence is outside the boundaries of the Hornell City School District. Nonresident students may be accepted on an annual basis if: //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Revised October 2004 // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Hornell City School District may participate in not-for-profit exchange programs in which American students may spend a school year in foreign schools, and foreign <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">students spend a year in American schools. The number of exchange students attending Hornell Schools from each organization at one time will be one (1). Final approval for foreign exchange students to attend the Hornell School District will be made by the Superintendent of Schools. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Readopted April 2002 // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This policy deals with vacations when school is in session. The school realizes there are circumstances when parents can only schedule their vacation during time that school is in session. We ask that parents notify the school when this occurs. However, we ask that whenever possible parents not remove their child(ren) from the educational program for vacations when school is in session. The administration requests that when vacations take place during scheduled school vacations, that these not be extended by taking their children out early or returning late. Students who leave for vacations with their parents during a time when school is in session are marked illegally absent according to State Education Department regulations. These absences come under the heading "Unlawful Detention." "Unlawful detention" occurs when a pupil is absent with the knowledge and consent of his parents for other than legal reasons. In the past there have been a number of instances where students have gone on vacations without their parents and have found it necessary to leave early and/or return late. This occurs a great deal during spring recess. These absences also come under the heading of "Unlawful Detention" when the parents have given their approval. It is an act of truancy when the parents have not approved. Since these vacations are not scheduled in conjunction with their parents, these students will be penalized in that they will not have the opportunity to make up work missed. Exams, quizzes and labs will be graded as zeroes. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Teacher's Responsibility: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Student's Responsibility //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Readopted April 2002 // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">It is the policy of the Board of Education to review with the assistance of the <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">administration and the school attorney any and all unusual requests for releasing <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">students from school for any reason other than authorized school program. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Readopted April 2002 // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Board of Education recognizes the public concern over the health issues surrounding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (HIV). The Board also recognizes, based upon the current state of medical knowledge, that the virus associated with AIDS is not easily transmitted and there is no evidence that AIDS or the HIV virus can be transmitted by casual social contact in the open school setting. The Board acknowledges the rights of those individuals diagnosed as having AIDS or HIV infection, whether students or staff, to continue their education or employment, as well as the rights of all students and employees of the school district to learn and work without being subjected to significant risks to their health. The Board also takes notice that under current regulations of the Department of Health, the reporting of cases of AIDS and HIV infection is subject to stringent confidentiality requirements and, therefore, any disclosure of such information within the school community should be strictly limited to those with a legitimate need to know for the purpose of providing the most appropriate support services to infected individuals. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Board of Education that no student shall be denied the <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">opportunity to attend school or continue his or her education, nor shall any district employee be prevented from continuing his or her employment, solely on the basis of such diagnosis. To prevent any student or employee from being subjected to adverse or discriminatory treatment or stigma because he or she has been diagnosed as having AIDS or being HIV infected, it is the policy of the Board that all records and information concerning the medical condition and evaluation, determination and recommendations relating to infected students or employees shall be kept strictly confidential. All persons involved in such matters shall respect the right of privacy of such students and employees. The number of school personnel who are aware of an individual's condition shall be kept to the minimum needed to assure proper care, evaluation, and attention to such individual's situation. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Procedures: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The procedures set forth in this policy shall be followed in any instance where a student or an employee (including volunteers) is diagnosed as HIV infected or as having AIDS or AIDS Related Complex (ARC). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">1. The Superintendent shall immediately make arrangements for such individual to consult with the school physician for the purpose of commencing a medical review of the individual's physical condition and assessing the degree of risk of transmission of the disease, if any, to other members of the school community, as well as any risk to the infected individual. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">submitted in writing to the Superintendent, who shall promptly notify the employee or the parents or guardian of the student of such determination. Should the infected employee or the parents or guardian of an infected student disagree with the Committee's determination, an immediate appeal of such determination may be made to the Board for its review and final decision. Any appeal and related hearings shall be conducted by the Board in Executive Session. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Committee shall review the status of each case at least once each semester <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">and shall revise its determination and recommendations as necessary. The school <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">nurse shall be responsible for the regular monitoring of each case between such <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">reviews and shall ask the Superintendent to schedule a special review if a change in <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">circumstance warrants such action. Additional Matters In the event of the presence of any contagious or communicable disease (such as chicken pox or measles, etc.) in the school population, which may constitute a risk to an infected individual, the school nurse shall inform the employee, or in the case of a student, the student's parents or legal guardian about the situation. Any temporary decision or recommendation in such circumstances should be made by the individual's personal physical and the student's parents, in consultation with the school physician and nurse. The Superintendent shall establish and implement, and all school personnel shall comply with, guidelines and routine sanitary hygiene procedures for dealing with all spills of blood and other bodily fluids in or on school premises and grounds. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In addition, the Superintendent shall develop and immediately implement inservice <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">education and training for all school personnel concerning AIDS and HIV infection and the routine sanitary hygiene procedures to be followed in the case of all spills of blood and other bodily fluids. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Revised April 2002 //
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Strategies to Meet Objectives **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Create and maintain a positive school building culture by fostering a positive physical and psychological environment. This positive school culture is aimed at encouraging a high level of student bonding to the school, which in turn will lead to increased attendance.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Maintain a comprehensive student attendance policy based upon the
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Maintain accurate records of attendance, absences, tardiness or early departure of each student.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Utilize data analysis systems for tracking individual student attendance and individual group trends in student attendance problems.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Develop early intervention strategies to improve school attendance for all students.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Definitions **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Scheduled instruction: Every period that a pupil is scheduled to attend instructional or supervised study activities during the course of a school day during the school year.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Absent: The pupil is not present for the entire period of the pupil’s scheduled instruction.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tardy: The pupil arrives later than the starting time of the pupil’s scheduled instruction.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Early departure: The pupil leaves prior to the end of the pupil’s scheduled instruction.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Absences **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Student’s first and last name
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Date of the illness or appointment
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Specific reason for the student’s absence (doctor/dentist name if appropriate) or the business to be conducted
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Time the parent/legal guardian will pick up the student for an early departure
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Approximate time when the student will return to school
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Parent/guardian signature
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Personal illness (After three days, a doctor’s excuse is required)
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Illness or death in the family
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Impassable roads or severe weather conditions
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Religious observance
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Quarantine
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Required court appearance
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attendance at health clinics (A doctor’s note may be required)
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Approved college visits (Student must provide signed documentation by the college admissions office.)
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Approved cooperative work programs
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Military obligations (documented by appropriate military staff)
 * 11) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Disciplinary detention of an incarcerated youth
 * 12) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Approved school business
 * 13) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Absences approved in advance by the school principal
 * 14) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Being sent home by one of the school’s offices (Attendance, Guidance, Principal, Nurse). (If a student leaves school during the day without permission from one of these offices, no excuse from home will be accepted.)
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Working
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Oversleeping
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Staying home to baby sit
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Being tired
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Shopping
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Traveling
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Missing the bus
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cold or inclement weather (unless school is closed)
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Coding System **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A Absent E Excused
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">U Unexcused T Tardy
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">P Present NA No Attendance
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">TE Tardy Excused TU Tardy Unexcused
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">ILL Illness DAPT Doctor’s Appointment
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">LIBE Library SSFT School Sponsored Field Trip
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Frnl Funeral DENT Dentist Appointment
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">*Unknown
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Responsibility for Good Attendance **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Parent/Guardian Responsibilities **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to ensure that their children attend school regularly and on time.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Parents/guardians are required to provide their current home address, telephone number, emergency number(s) and a list of adults to contact in the event of an emergency.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Parents are to notify the school(s) when a change in address, phone number or emergency contact occurs.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">When a student is absent from school, parents/guardians must contact the school to report the absence.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The written excuse must be submitted to the correct attendance office within five days of the absence. Failure to do so will result in the absence being recorded as unexcused.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A doctor’s verification of the absence may be requested.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">When a student is tardy to school, parents/guardians must provide a written excuse upon the student’s arrival at school. Failure to do so within five days will result in the tardy being recorded as unexcused.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Appeals concerning the application of the policy should be made to the building principal
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Student Responsibilities **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students must **attend** school daily and be on time.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students must **attend** all classes and participate fully.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students are expected to make timely arrangements with their teachers to make up assignments and class work they have missed during their absence.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students must not leave school without signing out of the appropriate attendance office. The student is also expected to sign back in upon return to school.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">If suspended, students must attend the scheduled alternative education provided to them.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Administrator’s Responsibilities **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Principal or designee is responsible for implementing the Attendance Policies of the Hornell City School District.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Principal or designee is responsible for their school’s attendance services, assuring that all Attendance records are accurately completed and that procedures are established for notifying parents of attendance problems.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Principal or designee is responsible for identifying students who require attendance services for absences or tardiness.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Principal or designee will review the attendance of students daily.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Mandated reporters should report all matters of suspected education neglect or child abuse to Child Protective Services and Principal or designee.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Teacher’s Responsibility **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Classroom/subject area teachers are required to take attendance in each class prescribed in Section 3211 of the New York State Compulsory Attendance Law and will immediately notify designated school personnel of student absences and instances of truancy for investigation and follow-up.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Teacher and school personnel will continually stress to students the importance of promptness and regular attendance in educational and business matters and set a positive example through their own contact with classes.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Classroom/subject area teachers are required to submit attendance records for the school year to the main office, per direction of the Administration.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Develop and pass out to students, guidance and administration a written policy explaining their make-up and participation policies.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Absences and Course Credit **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Encouraged Attendance **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Rewards provided to students who demonstrate good attendance
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Letters/e-mails/phone calls home
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Meetings with student and/or guardians
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attendance committee team assigned to student
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Earned credit for course
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Possible Disciplinary Sanctions **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Enforcement **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Appeal Process **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Dissemination and Review **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5140 Entrance Age **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5152 Nonresident Students **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">No increase in the size of faculty or staff will be necessary to accommodate them, and
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">the classes involved will not have more than the desired number of students. Nonresident students are required to pay tuition as set forth annually by the Board of Education. Children whose parents/guardians pay Hornell School District taxes will be reimbursed at the end of the school year for the amount of taxes paid not to exceed the tuition charges.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5152.1 Admission of Exchange Students **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5161.2 Attendance Policy Concerning Vacations **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The teacher will supply the student with general information concerning work that will be covered during the student's absence. This is not to infer that specific work cannot be given to the student.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">On return students are responsible for seeing individual teachers to receive work or assignments that were missed. (Student will have two weeks to complete all outstanding assignments.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Teachers will provide suitable alternative tests.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Teachers, individually, will decide as to whether they will work with students after their scheduled work day.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Teachers are to be notified at least one week in advance when a student is leaving for a vacation. This will allow the teacher to prepare some information or material for the student prior to leaving.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5161.2 Attendance Policy Concerning Vacations (Cont'd) **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students are expected to notify teachers at least one week in advance when leaving for a vacation when school is in session.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students must complete all outstanding work/exams within a two-week period after returning from vacation.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students are expected to see their teachers the first day back to school to determine what specific work needs to be made up. This information should be collected either before homeroom in the morning, after school, or at a mutually acceptable time.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The student is responsible for all on-going class work while completing back work.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5180 Released Time for Students **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5191 Students With HIV-Related Illness **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5191 Students With HIV-Related Illness (Cont’d) **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The school physician, promptly following such initial consultation, shall convene an AIDS Assessment Review Committee, to consider the case. The Committee shall be comprised of a public health official with expertise in AIDS, of a physician with experience in treating AIDS patients, the individual's personal physician or the physician who made the AID diagnosis, the school nurse, the school physician, the school principal, and another administrator assigned by the Superintendent.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Committee, on a case-by-case basis, will review all of the medical information pertinent to the individual situation and shall make a determination as to whether the current mode of instruction and classroom setting for the infected student, or job assignment and responsibilities in the case of an employee, meets his or her current and ongoing needs or is appropriate. In making its determination, the Committee shall consider the following factors: (1) the physical condition of the individual involved and, in the case of a student, any behavior and neurological development which might increase the risk of transmission of the virus; (2) the expected type of interaction with others in the school setting; (3) the risks and benefits to both the infected individual and to others in the school or employment setting; and (4) such other relevant information it deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Committee's determination, together with the reason therefor, shall be
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(a) If it is determined that a student's current instructional placement is no longer appropriate, an alternative educational program shall be provided. In addition, if appropriate, a referral to the Committee on Special Education shall be made for the purpose of assessing the student's educational needs and developing an individualized educational program (IEP) for the student. (b) If it is determined that any employee is unable to fulfill his or her usual job duties and responsibilities because of AIDS related illness, the school district shall attempt to make a reasonable accommodation to such employee's condition and to enable the employee to continue in the district's employ. The district also will comply with any applicable contractual provisions or Federal and State laws and regulations and ensure the employee's right to due process.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5191 Students With HIV-Related Illness (Cont’d) **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">School attendance is both a right and a responsibility. The Southwestern School District is an active partner with students and parents in the task of ensuring that all students meet or exceed the New York State Learning Standards. The School District recognizes that consistent school attendance, academic success, and school completion have a positive correlation. In this spirit the School District (parents, teachers, administrators, and students) have developed, reviewed and revised a Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy to meet the following objectives: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">compulsory attendance;
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Southwestern CSD **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">7110 SUBJECT: COMPREHENSIVE ATTENDANCE POLICY AND PROCEDURES **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Statement of Overall Objectives **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To increase school completion for all students;
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To raise student achievement and close gaps in student performance;
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To identify attendance patterns in order to design attendance improvement efforts;
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To know the whereabouts of every student within the school day;
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To verify that individual students are complying with education laws relating to
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To determine the District's Average Daily Attendance for state aid purposes.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The School District will:
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Description of Strategies to Meet Objectives **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Develop a Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy based upon the recommendation of the multifaceted District Policy Development Team. The team includes representation from the community, parents, teachers, administrators, students, and the Board of Education. The District will hold at least one public hearing prior to the adoption of this Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Maintain accurate record keeping via a register of attendance to record attendance, absences, tardiness or early departure of each student.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Utilize data analysis systems for tracking individual student attendance and individual and group trends in student attendance problems.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Develop early intervention strategies to improve school attendance for all students.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The record of each student's presence, absence, tardiness and early departure shall be kept in a register of attendance in a manner consistent with Commissioner's Regulations. An absence, tardiness or early departure will be entered using a District code. //Commencing on July// 1, //2003, attendance shall be taken and recorded in accordance with the// //following:// <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A record shall be kept of each scheduled day of instruction during which the school is closed for all or part of the day because of extraordinary circumstances including adverse weather conditions, impairment of heating facilities, insufficiency of water supply, shortage of fuel, destruction of or <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">damage to a school building, or such other cause as may be found satisfactory to the Commissioner of Education. Attendance records shall also indicate the date when a student withdraws from enrollment or is dropped from enrollment in accordance with Education Law section 3202(I-a). At the conclusion of each class period or school day, all attendance information shall be <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">compiled and provided to the designation school personnel responsible for attendance. The nature of the absence, tardiness, or early departure shall be coded on the student's record in accordance with the District/Building Policy.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Student Attendance Record Keeping/Data Collection **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">For students in non-departmentalized kindergarten through grade eight (i.e., self-contained classrooms and supervised group movement to other scheduled school activities such as physical education in the gym, assembly, etc.) such student's presence shall be recorded after the taking of attendance once per school day, provided that students are not dismissed from school grounds during a lunch period. Where students are dismissed for lunch, their presence or absence shall also be recorded after the taking of attendance a second time upon the students' return from lunch.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">For students in grades nine through twelve, or in departmentalized schools at any grade level (i.e., students pass individually to different classes throughout the day), each student's presence or absence shall be recorded after the taking of attendance in each period of scheduled instruction except that where students do not change classrooms for each period of scheduled instruction, attendance shall be taken in accordance with paragraph above.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Any absence for a school day or portion thereof shall be recorded in accordance with the standards articulated in this policy.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In order for students to be eligible to take tests and submit papers, homework, projects, etc., for grades required to receive credit for any course, students must be in attendance a minimum of 85% of the total days a course is scheduled to be in session. Any student who is absent more than 15% of the time, regardless of the reason (excused or unexcused), may not receive credit for the course. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Assuming a 180 day school year, a student who exceeds 27 absences for a full-year course or 14 absences for a 1-semester course may lose credit for the course. Where a student earns a passing grade, credit will not be denied for the course. When a student misses 50% or more of a class period (20 minutes), this will be considered a full class absence. Transfer students and students reenrolling after dropping out of school will be expected to attend 85% of the scheduled classes during their time of enrollment. Once a student exceeds the maximum number of allowable absences as specified, the student will not be permitted to take any remaining exams/tests, or submit papers/projects, etc., for grades necessary to receive credit for that course. Students who violate the minimum attendance standards and do not have a passing grade, nonetheless, will be expected to attend class. In accordance with New York State standards, however, all students participating in a science lab and failing to meet the required number of labs will not be allowed to attend summer school. Students will be considered in attendance if the student is: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students who are absent from class due to their participation in a school sponsored activity are to arrange with their teachers to make up any work missed in a timely manner as determined by the student's teacher. Attendance at school sponsored events where instruction is substantially equivalent to the instruction which was missed shall be counted as the equivalent of regular attendance in class. Upon returning to school following an absence, tardiness or early departure, it shall be the responsibility of the student to consult with his/her teacher( s) regarding arrangements to make up missed work, assignments, and/or tests in accordance with the time schedule specified by the teacher(s). The District believes that classroom participation is related to and affects a student's performance and grasps of the subject matter and, as such, is property reflected in a student's final grade. For purposes of this policy, classroom participation means that a student is in class and prepared to work. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Consequently, for each marking period a certain percentage of a student's final grade will be based on classroom participation as well as the student's performance on homework, tests, papers, projects, etc. as determined by the building administrator and/or classroom teacher. At the middle/high school level, any student with more than the specified number of days absent in correlation to the duration of the course taken may NOT receive credit. Number of Absences Length of Course in Weeks Number of Times Meeting per Week <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">7 10 5 <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">7 20 2.5 <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">14 20 5 <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">27 40 5 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">It is the District's policy that any student who reaches the maximum number of days absent and has a properly excused absence, tardiness, and/or early departure for which the student has performed any assigned make-up work, assignments, and/or tests shall not be counted as an absence for the purpose of determining the student's eligibility for course credit. District procedures will specify how student tardiness and early departures will be calculated and factored into the District's minimum attendance standards. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Where and when applicable, the District has determined that absences, tardiness and early departures will be considered excused or unexcused to include but not be limited to the following standards: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The District will take the following steps to ensure students and parents/persons in parental relation are informed of the District's policy regarding minimum attendance and course credit: <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">*After 5 days absent <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">*After 10 days absent <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">*After 15 days absent <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">*After 20 days absent <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">When the maximum number of days absent total 10 days for 1/2 year classes and 20 days for a full year class, a scheduling meeting will take place with the parent/person in parental relation, the student, administrator, principal and any other person deemed by the principal. When it is believed that a student had an unexcused absence, tardy or early departure, the parent/person in parental relation will be notified by an attendance officer, who will also notify the <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">building principal. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In order to encourage student attendance, the District will develop and implement strategies at building levels. Some of these strategies may include, but are not limited to: //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by the public school district when a student is unable to attend school because of a short-term disability or discipline. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">If tutoring is requested by the student's physician due to a medical condition or in the event of a court order, the following criteria must be met: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students of any age who are registered in school are truant if they are absent without their parents'/person in parental relation's knowledge or consent. Students may be considered truant if they miss a portion of a class, the entire class, portion of the day, or an entire day.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Student Attendance/Course Credit **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Physically present in the classroom or working under the direction of the classroom teacher during the class scheduled meeting time; or
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Working pursuant to an approved independent study program; or
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Receiving approved alternative instruction
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">SUBJECT: COMPREHENSIVE ATTENDANCE POLICY AND PROCEDURES (Cont'd.) **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Determination of Excused and Unexcused Absences, Tardiness and Early Departures **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Excused **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: An absence, tardiness, or early departure may be excused if due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads due to inclement weather, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics, pre-approved college visits, pre-approved cooperative work programs, obtaining learner's permit, road tests, military obligations, pre-approved educational trips, emergency situations, late bus arrival, required medical attention for other family members who rely on the student for medical treatment, to attend a funeral of a family member, friend or staff member, or other such reasons as may be approved by the Board of Education. *Trips requiring pre-approval need to be approved by the building principal.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Unexcused **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: An absence, tardiness or early departure is considered unexcused if the reason for the lack of attendance does not fall into the above categories (i.e. family vacation, hunting, babysitting, hair cut, fishing, oversleeping, missing the bus, needed at home for non-emergency purposes, personal reasons non-specific, recreational activities not related to school sponsored events, shopping, truancy, visiting relatives or friends, work).
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Notice of Minimum Attendance Standard/Intervention Strategies Prior to the Denial of Course Credit **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Copies of the District's Comprehensive Attendance Policy and Procedures will be mailed to a parent/persons in parental relation and given to students at the beginning of each school year or when enrolling.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">School newsletters and publications will periodically have reminders of the policy.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">At periodic intervals, a designated staff member will notify, by telephone, the parent/person in parental relation of the student's absence, tardiness or early departure and will explain the relationship of the student's attendance to his/her ability to receive course credit. If a parent/person in parental relation cannot be reached by phone, a letter will be sent out.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The District will provide a copy of the attendance policy to any community member who requests one.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">During the course of a given year, a student's parent/person in parental relation will be notified on the following schedule when a student is absent:
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attendance Incentives **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Monthly drawings at each grade level for perfect attendance;
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Special events during days with historically high absenteeism;
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Classroom acknowledgement and reminders;
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Annual poster/essay contest on importance of good attendance;
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attendance honor rolls to be posted in prominent places.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tutoring New York School Law 24:34 states **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: //Homebound instruction is provided on a temporary basis//
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A written request for tutoring from the physician on letterhead or prescription form must be provided to the school. The request MUST include the start date and end date for the tutoring and the medical diagnosis requiring tutoring.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tutoring is only provided if the medical condition will require the student to miss school for an extended period of time (5 or more consecutive days of absence) or when the length of illness will put a student in jeopardy of not meeting class attendance requirements.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The student will provide the school with a signed reciprocal release of information form identifying all parties involved in a treatment plan. This release will allow the school to obtain and release information pertinent to the student's diagnosis.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The physician requesting tutoring for a student will provide the school with a written treatment plan. The treatment plan will include the name of any referrals made, document any prescription or over-the-counter medication recommended, and will define the followup treatment required upon return to school.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Truancy **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">If an absence, tardiness or early departure has been deemed unexcused, disciplinary sanctions may result as per the District's Code of Conduct. Consequences may include, but are not limited to: detention, suspension, denial of interscholastic and extracurricular activities, denial of classroom credit for all assigned work, quizzes, and tests for the days unexcused.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Disciplinary Consequences **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Commencing with the 2003-2004 school year, the building principal will work in conjunction with the building attendance clerk and other designed staff in reviewing attendance records at the end of each term. This review is conducted to identify individual and group attendance patterns and to initiate appropriate action to address the problem of unexcused absences, tardiness and early departures.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Building Review of Attendance Records **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Board of Education shall annually review the building level student attendance records and if such records show a decline in student attendance, the Board of Education shall make any revisions o the policy deemed necessary to improve student attendance.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Annual Review by the Board of Education **

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">a) Middle and high school parents call in before 7:45 a.m. on the day of absence if the student is in the middle or high school. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">b) Elementary parents call in before 9 a.m. on the day of the absence if the student is in the elementary school. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">c) A written excuse from a parent/person in parental relation is required for each absence or tardiness. The excuse must: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">1. Specify date of absence or tardiness; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">2. Reason for absence or tardiness; <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">3. Be signed and dated by the parent/person in parental relation <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">4. Be returned the day the student returns to class.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Parent Responsibility **


 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">School Responsibility **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Record period by period attendance and daily attendance;
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attendance officer will call parents when a parent fails to call in on the morning of the absence;
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Keep parents and students informed of absences and clearly communicate expectations.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Clearly administer attendance policy to all students

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Written requests from the parent/guardian for the release of students generally will be honored. The appropriate time and reason for absence shall be recorded on the attendance record, using the procedures mandated by the state. The Building Principal shall assume this responsibility or shall designate an individual to review and approve all requests. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR)Section 109.2 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Adopted: 7/11/06
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">SUBJECT: RELEASED TIME OF STUDENTS **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The District will pay for all AP exams taken by its students providing students meet the following criteria: <span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">a) Students must maintain no less than an 85% average in each AP course taken and must be in good standing as a school student. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">b) Students must perform no less than 8 hours of tutoring services on school grounds to other SWCS students for each AP exam taken. Students in need of tutoring will be determined by the Career & Counseling Center. Tutoring must take place throughout the entire school <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">year. The hours served tutoring will be under the direction of the high school principal or designee. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">c) Parent/students may opt out of above, but in turn agree to be responsible for the full cost of the AP exam taken by the student. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">d) Parents/students must elect b) or c) above for each AP course taken prior to the beginning of the second quarter of each academic year. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">e) AP classes will comply with the student handbook policy regarding dropping/adding courses. It is understood that all students enrolled in AP courses will be required to take the AP exam for that course. Adopted: 7/11/06 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students who are legal residents of the School District and who reside with parents or legal guardians within the School District at the time of the opening day of school must be five (5) years of age or more on December 1 in order to register for Kindergarten. A child who transfers into the School District at any time during the school year may be considered for admission to Kindergarten by the Superintendent provided: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">a) The parents were not legal residents of the School District on the opening day of school, and <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">b) The child has been registered and enrolled in kindergarten in the District in which his/her parents were legal residents.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">SUBJECT: AP TESTING **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">7120 SUBJECT: AGE OF ENTRANCE **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **Kindergarten**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Admission of children to other grades shall involve a consideration of both chronological age and the readiness of the children to do the work of those grades.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Other Grades **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A student's birth certificate or other satisfactory evidence of age shall be presented at the time of initial registration. The child shall be entered under his/her legal name. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Education Law Sections 1712, 3202 and 3212 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Adopted: 7/11/06
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Proof of Age **