Attendance,+Absence

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= Absence = **Parents must call the school before 9:00** **am** i f a student will be absent. Tell us the reason why the child is not in school and the estimated length of absence. **If we do not receive a call** about your child’s absence, **we will call you from the school to confirm that your child is at home**. We do this to ensure student safety.

= Attendance = By law, all children in Massachusetts must be in a school program by the age of six. Regular attendance everyday is the best way to assure success in school. With 95% attendance during the school year, students have the best chance of earning a high school diploma and graduating. Attendance habits start in elementary school. Regular attendance gives students the most time to learn academic content, the most opportunities to apply new concepts and skills and the most opportunities to ask questions and seek assistance to assure they understand what they are learning in school. We ask families to help each child achieve a minimum of 95% attendance at school. In a 180 day school year this equals 171 days present and 9 days absent. When a child is absent for more than 10 days, the parent/guardian will receive a letter from the principal stating the importance of regular attendance in school. If attendance becomes a chronic issue, the family will be referred to our school social worker and School Resource Officer/Truancy Officer. While we want to be sure that children are healthy when they come to school, we also recognize that consistent attendance has a direct impact on positive student achievement. Families can help daily attendance by making sure children have plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet and enjoy some exercise.

**Family Vacations**
Families are encouraged to take trips during the public school vacations scheduled each year.

**Learning / Make-Up Work** While there is no replacement for direct learning at school, a parent/guardian may request make-up work for a child after two days of absence. The child will have as many days to complete the work as are equal to the number of days absent. **Work will not be sent home in advance of an absence**.