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 one includes the first nine absences and excuses them for any reason that the student’s parent or guardian approves, provided that the parent/guardian follows the notification timeline noted above. Level two begins with the 10th absence and includes student illness, observance of a religious holiday, death of a family member or family emergency, mandated court appearances, and/or extraordinary educational opportunities approved by the principal. All level two absences require proper documentation from the parent/guardian.
Medical Absences
Parents/guardians must provide a medical professional’s note to excuse an absence after meeting the threshold of nine days. Please submit documentation to the nurse’s office upon the student’s return to school.
Thank You for Your Cooperation
We urge parents to schedule family vacations when school is not in session. If your family decides to take a vacation during the school year, you will need to communicate this to the school principal. It is difficult to replicate the instruction elementary students miss. When students require an extended absence period, we encourage them to complete independent reading, work on their math facts, and/or keep a writing travel journal.