Attendance Policy
Universal School will be participating in the Local Education Area’s Comprehensive Attendance Policy to ensure completion of academic instruction for every student. For more information, please visit http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/rscs/chaps/Attendance/AttendanceWebpage.htm
Attending school regularly and on time is the responsibility of both the parent and the student. Every student is expected to be in school every day and on time except in the case of an emergency, illness of the student, or the illness or death of a family member. Regular attendance is the key to a successful academic year. Please review the attached CAP – Comprehensive Attendance Policy for the school for details on attendance issues.
TARDINESS
Any student who is tardy for school must present a note signed by his/her parent explaining the reason for tardiness. The tardiness is excused only if the reason is due to an illness, doctor’s appointment or family emergency. School starts with the “Circle Time” at 8:05 am with morning du’a and school announcements. A student arriving after the class starts (8:15 am) is considered tardy, and must report to the office with the parent and may not attend class until the student is signed in. Continued unexcused tardiness is disruptive to the student and daily management of the class and school. Five unexcused tardiness will be counted as one day of absence and will result in a parental meeting with the school administrator.
ABSENCES
When a student is absent from school, the parent/guardian should notify the school office. If the absence is because of a contagious illness, a statement from the physician must be presented to the school to be kept of file. A child will not be allowed to return to school without a physician’s statement if his/her illness was contagious. Upon returning to school, the student is to present the homeroom teacher with a written excuse signed by the parent/guardian within five days of last day absent. The excuse should include the student’s name, date(s) of absence, reason, and signature of parent. NY State Law requires written excuses to be kept on file.
Do not send your child to school if he/she has symptoms of being sick. Parents will be summoned to pick-up the student if they are sick. Staff members are not allowed to administer any medications. Read more about this topic under the Health and Safety section.
An absence without an excused notice is marked as an illegal absence on their permanent record. Seven illegal absences will result in a “flagged record” and a parent meeting with school administrator. Please refer to the CAP handbook for details on accumulated absences.
VACATIONS
Students removed from school for vacations are illegally absent from school and will be marked as such. Teachers cannot be expected to prepare work for vacationers. The family assumes responsibility for the educational needs of the child while on vacation. The students are responsible for making up missed tests, class work, and homework.
EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
Excessive absences can result in poor performance by the student due the missed material and academic support given regularly. Students missing a total of 17 days of instruction will undergo an Attendance Hearing by the parent, Board appointed member, teacher and school administrator. At this time, the student’s advancement to the next grade level will be reconsidered and reviewed. A total of 19 days of absences will result in considerations of holding back a student to the next grade, unless other arrangements have been made during the Hearing. Unless prior arrangements and approval has been made, students not attending school for one consecutive month (19 days) will results in a dismissal for that student. The student will not be allowed to return to complete the school year and can register for the new school year as a new student.
Attending school regularly and on time is the responsibility of both the parent and the student. Every student is expected to be in school every day and on time except in the case of an emergency, illness of the student, or the illness or death of a family member. Regular attendance is the key to a successful academic year. Please review the attached CAP – Comprehensive Attendance Policy for the school for details on attendance issues.
TARDINESS
Any student who is tardy for school must present a note signed by his/her parent explaining the reason for tardiness. The tardiness is excused only if the reason is due to an illness, doctor’s appointment or family emergency. School starts with the “Circle Time” at 8:05 am with morning du’a and school announcements. A student arriving after the class starts (8:15 am) is considered tardy, and must report to the office with the parent and may not attend class until the student is signed in. Continued unexcused tardiness is disruptive to the student and daily management of the class and school. Five unexcused tardiness will be counted as one day of absence and will result in a parental meeting with the school administrator.
ABSENCES
When a student is absent from school, the parent/guardian should notify the school office. If the absence is because of a contagious illness, a statement from the physician must be presented to the school to be kept of file. A child will not be allowed to return to school without a physician’s statement if his/her illness was contagious. Upon returning to school, the student is to present the homeroom teacher with a written excuse signed by the parent/guardian within five days of last day absent. The excuse should include the student’s name, date(s) of absence, reason, and signature of parent. NY State Law requires written excuses to be kept on file.
Do not send your child to school if he/she has symptoms of being sick. Parents will be summoned to pick-up the student if they are sick. Staff members are not allowed to administer any medications. Read more about this topic under the Health and Safety section.
An absence without an excused notice is marked as an illegal absence on their permanent record. Seven illegal absences will result in a “flagged record” and a parent meeting with school administrator. Please refer to the CAP handbook for details on accumulated absences.
VACATIONS
Students removed from school for vacations are illegally absent from school and will be marked as such. Teachers cannot be expected to prepare work for vacationers. The family assumes responsibility for the educational needs of the child while on vacation. The students are responsible for making up missed tests, class work, and homework.
EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
Excessive absences can result in poor performance by the student due the missed material and academic support given regularly. Students missing a total of 17 days of instruction will undergo an Attendance Hearing by the parent, Board appointed member, teacher and school administrator. At this time, the student’s advancement to the next grade level will be reconsidered and reviewed. A total of 19 days of absences will result in considerations of holding back a student to the next grade, unless other arrangements have been made during the Hearing. Unless prior arrangements and approval has been made, students not attending school for one consecutive month (19 days) will results in a dismissal for that student. The student will not be allowed to return to complete the school year and can register for the new school year as a new student.
