Barlow Mountain Elementary Attendance Policy

Since regular school attendance increases students’ academic and social achievement, we ask that all parents and guardians join with us to ensure that all students are in attendance and ready to perform to the best of their ability every school day. To help monitor your child’s achievement and success, please visit our PowerSchool Parent Portal.

To Excuse Your Child

It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to ensure compliance with the state of Connecticut’s compulsory school attendance requirements (Connecticut General Statute 10-184). Students must attend school on time with regularity. In order to excuse an absence, please call our nurse, Lynn Isaac, by telephone at 203-894-5802 or send an email within 48 hours of the absence. We require notes (and possibly other documentation) for students with total absences (unexcused and excused) in excess of nine for the school year.

Two Levels of Absences

The state Board of Education has defined two levels of criteria for an absence to be considered an excused absence.

  • Level 1 includes the first nine absences and these days are considered excused absences for any reason that the student’s parent or guardian approves. The parent or guardian must submit either written or oral documentation within ten school days of the student’s return to school.
  • Excused Level 2 absences are the days beginning at the tenth absence and meet one or more of the state’s acceptable reasons. For more information regarding the acceptable reasons, please visit the Connecticut State Department of Education Guidelines for Absences.

If your child reaches the thresholds below, you will receive a notification. The notifications will lag the actual absences. For example, your child may reach their 6th absence on a Wednesday and you may not be notified until the following Monday.

Typical attendance notification thresholds:

  • At six absences a notification is emailed.
  • At nine absences a notification is emailed.
  • At nine absences and six unexcused, a notification is emailed.
  • At nine excused absences and 10 unexcused absences, a truancy notification is emailed.

Thank you for understanding the importance of your child’s attendance at school. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding the attendance policy.