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Attendance

As a public school, the Irvington Community School and its students are required to follow all applicable state laws until a student graduates or withdraws.

The ICS attendance policies include:

1. Tardies: It is important for students to be on time to school and on time to each class for two reasons: 1. Lateness disrupts a classroom and its teaching; and, 2. Being on time is a skill that is important in life.

Students who arrive after 8 a.m. will report first to the front office to obtain a pass. Exceptions will be made for weather and traffic issues. After 10 a.m., the student will be debited with a half-day absence.

2. Absences: There are two types of absences:

  • Excused: A parent or guardian must call or leave a written note with the office secretary within 24 hours of the beginning of the absence. This communication must state the specific reason for the absence. Students are allowed to make up work for an excused absence and are given one day to complete the assignments for each day absent.
  • Unexcused: This is an absence for which the school does not receive a communication, or the reason is not legitimate. Students will not be given credit for any work due or assigned during an unexcused absence (nor will students who are suspended during their suspension period).

Absences are excused for the following circumstances:

  • Personal illness or injury
  • Required court attendance
  • Medical or dental appointments (only for the duration of the appointment and travel time)
  • Death in the family
  • Observance of a bona–fide religious holiday
  • Absences excused by state law or ICS

Students arriving after 10 a.m. or leaving before 1:30 p.m., whether excused or unexcused, will be debited a half-day absence.

After ten (10) full days of excused or unexcused absences, school personnel may refer the matter to the student support or the school counselor or to truancy court for intervention. Excessive absences can lead to retention. (Floating holidays are not included in this count.) Students may then be required to have a physician’s statement for any further absences. For chronic or long-term illnesses, a physician’s Certificate of Incapacity will be required.

3. Leaving Early or Arriving Late: Families must notify the school when their students need to leave early or arrive late for “excusable” reasons: illness, medical appointments, funeral, or court attendance. Verification from the doctor’s office is required upon return to school in order for an absence to be marked “medical.” NOTE: Students will be sent home for illness only by the school nurse or a school manager (e.g., lead teacher).

STEPS ICS STAFF WILL TAKE:

Effective during the 2009-2010 school year:

Absence Policy Process:

  • Parents have 24 hours to provide a legitimate reason for a student’s absence. On the day immediately following an absence, if the parents of an absent student have not informed us regarding a reason for the absence, an automated call from the ICS will be made as a reminder to notify the front office with a reason for the absence to determine whether it will be recorded as excused or unexcused. No response from parents will result in an unexcused absence being recorded.
  • After 5 unexcused absences, a letter will be sent to parents from the school attendance officer reminding them of the importance of regular school attendance.
  • After 7 unexcused absences, the parent will receive a second notification letter from the school attendance officer, indicating that any additional absences will require a doctor’s excuse. The next unexcused absence (total of 8) will result in parents being contacted to attend an Attendance Referral Board meeting with school officials. The Attendance Referral Board meeting will focus on the nature of the student’s absences and participants will collaboratively explore possible solutions for improved attendance.
  • Following the Attendance Referral Board meeting, if the student misses two more days of school as unexcused (total of 10 unexcused absences), legal notice will be sent by Certified Mail with Return Receipt notifying the parent that the child is considered to be truant and the matter is being referred to Truancy Court.

Tardiness Policy Process:

  • School begins promptly at 8 a.m. Students arriving late cause disruptions when they sign in at the front office, when they are in the hall after class has already started, and when they enter class late. An ICS staff member is on duty in the parking lot each morning and will notify the front office staff of any traffic problems or weather issues preventing students form arriving on time.
  • When a student has accumulated 5 tardies, an initial tardy letter will be sent to the parents from the school attendance officer notifying them of the habitual problem and reminding them of the importance of arriving to school on time.
  • Should a student receive 10 tardies, a second tardy notification letter will be sent by the school attendance officer.
  • When a student has accumulated 20 tardies, the parents will be asked to attend an Attendance Referral Board meeting to discuss the issue and explore possible solutions for improvement.

For more information, please read the ICS Attendance Pamphlet.