New Attendance Regulations in Stamford Public Schools High Schools: What Students and Parents Need to Know

for students and parents.

Absence Reporting

Parents and guardians must report absences within three (3) calendar days via phone call, email, or the student information system. Unreported absences may result in unexcused absences.

Excused Absences

Excused absences include illness, quarantine orders, funeral services for immediate family members, and religious observances. Parents must provide documentation to support these reasons.

Tardiness

Students arriving late to school without a valid excuse will be marked tardy. Continuous tardiness may lead to disciplinary action.

Unexcused Absences

Unexcused absences occur when students miss school without a valid reason. These absences will negatively impact academic progress and may result in disciplinary action.

Make-up Work

Students with excused absences must complete make-up work within a reasonable timeframe. Failure to do so may result in an academic penalty.

Stamford Public Schools: New Attendance Regulations Announcement

Stamford Public Schools, a district in Connecticut, has always been committed to providing excellent education for its students. With over 9,000 enrollees and more than 40 schools, it is the third-largest school system in the state. The district boasts a diverse student body with over 70 languages spoken and a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Recently, there has been an important announcement regarding attendance regulations that all parents, guardians, and students must be aware of.

New Attendance Regulations

Effective immediately, the Stamford Public Schools system has revised its attendance policy. These new regulations aim to encourage better attendance and academic success for all students. The updated policy emphasizes the importance of regular attendance, as it is linked to improved student performance, higher graduation rates, and better overall academic achievement.

Impact of Absences on Academic Performance

Research shows that missing even just a few days of school can have a significant negative impact on a student’s academic progress. Regular attendance, on the other hand, not only supports students in meeting academic goals but also helps them develop essential life skills such as time management and responsibility.

Consequences of Excessive Absences

It is crucial to understand that excessive absences may result in students being held back a grade or even dropping out of school. Moreover, chronic absenteeism can be an indicator of other underlying issues such as bullying, mental health concerns, or academic struggles. The new attendance regulations aim to identify and address these issues early on to ensure that every student has the best opportunity for success.

Communication is Key

Parents, guardians, and students are encouraged to stay in communication with school officials regarding any attendance concerns. Should a student need to miss school due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances, it is essential that the absence is reported as soon as possible. The new attendance regulations also provide more flexibility for excused absences for religious observances and college visits. By working together, we can ensure that all students are able to attend school regularly, enabling them to reach their full potential.

Explanation of Attendance Policy

Stamford Public Schools are committed to providing a high-quality education for all students. A vital component of achieving educational success is regular attendance.

Attendance Policy

in Stamford Public Schools follows the Connecticut State Attendance Law, which mandates that all students between the ages of 6 and 17 attend school regularly unless they are excused for valid reasons.

Excused Absences

Excused absences include illness, death in the family, religious observances, and other circumstances approved by the Principal. Parents or guardians must provide written notification for all absences within three days of their student’s return to school.

Unexcused Absences and Tardiness

Unexcused absences or tardiness are detrimental to a student’s academic progress and can negatively impact their performance in school. Consequences for excessive unexcused absences or tardiness include but are not limited to: meetings with teachers, counselors, administrators, parental conferences, and referral to the attendance officer. Chronic absences may result in students being placed on an attendance contract, which outlines specific goals for improving attendance or risk being subjected to legal action.

Importance of Regular Attendance

Regular attendance is crucial for students to maintain academic progress, build essential social skills, and stay engaged in the learning process. Absences can hinder a student’s understanding of new concepts and create additional stress when trying to catch up on missed work. By adhering to the attendance policy, students can ensure they receive the maximum educational benefits offered by Stamford Public Schools.

I Reasons for Absence

Absences from work or school are an unfortunate reality, and it is essential to have clear policies in place to manage these situations. Acceptable reasons for absence include personal illness, bereavement, religious observances, and jury duty. It is important for employees or students to understand that absences due to vacations, shopping days, or other personal reasons are generally not considered acceptable and should be planned around scheduled work or study times.

Procedures for Reporting an Absence

When an absence is necessary, the procedures for reporting it must be followed. This usually involves notifying a supervisor or a designated office as soon as possible and providing supporting documentation, such as a doctor’s note, when required. For unexpected absences, reporting as soon as the employee is able to do so is essential.

Consequences for Unreported Absences or False Reporting

It is crucial that all absences are reported truthfully and in a timely manner. Unreported absences or false reporting can lead to serious consequences, including disciplinary action, loss of trust, and even termination from employment. Employers or institutions have the right to investigate any suspicious absences and may request additional documentation or explanation if needed. Maintaining trust and transparency in reporting absences is essential for creating a positive and productive work or learning environment.

Tardiness Policy

Tardiness, defined as the arrival at school after the bell indicating the beginning of a class session, is an issue that significantly impacts attendance and, consequently, student achievement. According to our school policy, any student who arrives late to school or to a class session without a valid excuse will be considered tardy. It is important to note that being tardy not only disrupts the learning process for both the tardy student and their classmates, but also contributes to an unsatisfactory attendance record.

Impact on Attendance

Attendance is a crucial factor in academic success. Regular attendance helps students stay engaged in the learning process, build strong relationships with their teachers and peers, and maintain a consistent educational experience. Chronic tardiness, however, can hinder these benefits and may result in an unsatisfactory attendance record.

Consequences for Chronic Tardiness

In order to address the issue of chronic tardiness and encourage students to maintain a consistent attendance record, our school has established consequences. These include, but are not limited to:

• Verbal warning: The first time a student is tardy, they will receive a verbal warning from their teacher.
• Written warning: If the student continues to be tardy, they will receive a written warning from the office.
• Parent contact: If the student continues to be tardy despite verbal and written warnings, their parents will be contacted.
• Detention: If the student continues to arrive tardy after parent contact, they may be assigned detention.
• Referral to administration: If the student continues to arrive tardy after all other consequences have been implemented, they may be referred to the administration for further action.

Procedures for Reporting Tardiness

To ensure that tardiness is reported accurately and efficiently, we have established the following procedures:

• Teachers are responsible for recording student attendance in their classes.
• Students who arrive late to school or a class session must report to the office before going to their classroom.
• The office will record each tardiness instance and provide the teacher with a copy of the tardiness report.

Impact on Academics

Absences and tardiness can significantly impact a student’s academic performance. Missing classes means missing out on valuable instruction, class discussions, and assignments that contribute to overall learning.

Effect of Absences and Tardiness on Student Grades

Students who miss classes are more likely to fall behind in their coursework. In fact, according to research, every day of absence can result in a loss of up to two days of learning time (National Center for Education Statistics).

Interventions for Students with Attendance Issues

Early intervention is essential to address attendance issues before they become a serious problem. Schools and parents can work together to identify the root causes of absences, such as health issues, transportation problems, or family issues. Some interventions include:

• Communication: Keeping an open dialogue with families about attendance concerns
• Academic Support: Providing extra help and tutoring for students who are struggling
• Transportation Assistance: Offering bus passes or transportation vouchers for families in need
• Health Services: Providing access to healthcare services and counseling
• Engaging Activities: Offering engaging activities or clubs to keep students interested in school

Importance of Maintaining Good Attendance for Academic Success

Good attendance is crucial for academic success. Students who attend school regularly have higher grades, better standardized test scores, and are more likely to graduate on time (EveryStudentCounts Campaign). Moreover, good attendance helps students develop good habits that can benefit them throughout their academic careers and beyond. Therefore, schools, parents, and students must prioritize attendance to ensure optimal academic performance.

VI. Resources for Parents and Students:

Managing attendance issues can be a challenging task for both students and parents. However, there are various resources available to help navigate through this process.

School Counselors:

One of the most valuable resources is the school counseling team. School counselors play a crucial role in helping students address attendance concerns, providing academic and personal support, and collaborating with teachers, administrators, and families to find solutions.

Attendance Hotlines:

Another effective resource is the attendance hotline. Parents can call this number to report their child’s absence, get information about upcoming attendance policies or procedures, and ask any questions related to attendance.

Communication:

Open communication between students, parents, and schools is essential for addressing attendance issues effectively. Regularly check school websites and newsletters for updates on attendance policies and procedures. Keep in mind that promptly reporting absences, maintaining open lines of communication with your child’s teachers and school counselors, and working collaboratively to find solutions can significantly improve attendance and overall academic success.

Additional Resources:

Additionally, various organizations offer resources for families dealing with attendance issues. Some of these include the National Center for Education Statistics, Attendance Works, and the National Association of School Psychologists. These organizations provide valuable information on attendance policies, research, and best practices.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored the significance of student attendance in the educational journey. Regular school attendance is essential for academic success and personal growth. According to research, students who miss more than 10% of the school days in a year are at risk of falling behind their peers academically. Moreover, chronic absenteeism can lead to poor performance on standardized tests and an increased dropout rate.

Academic Benefits

We’ve seen how consistent attendance contributes to better grades and improved test scores. It also helps students build essential skills such as time management, responsibility, and socialization.

Social and Emotional Impact

Beyond academics, regular attendance fosters positive social interactions and emotional development. It enables students to build relationships with their peers and teachers, reducing feelings of isolation and increasing engagement.

Parental Role

Parents play a crucial role in ensuring their children attend school regularly. They can set routines, monitor attendance records, and communicate with teachers if they notice any concerning patterns.

Encouragement for Students and Parents

We encourage students to prioritize attendance and understand the value of their educational journey. Likewise, parents should reinforce the importance of regular attendance and support their children’s efforts.

Contact Information

For any questions or concerns regarding student attendance, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the school administration. We’re here to help and ensure every student reaches their full potential.