STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES
5.10.8
Regular and punctual school attendance is essential for success in school. The
committee does recognize, however, that parents of children attending our schools
have special rights as well as responsibilities, one of which is to ensure that their
children attend school regularly, in accordance with state law.
Therefore, students may be excused temporarily from school attendance for the
following reasons:
1. Illness or quarantine.
2. Bereavement or serious illness in
family.
3. Weather so inclement as to endanger
the health of the child.
4. For observance of major religious
holidays.
A child may also be excused for other exceptional reasons with approval of the
school administrator.
A student's understanding of the importance of day-to-day schoolwork is an
important factor in the shaping of his/her character. Parents can help their children
by refusing to allow them to miss school needlessly.
Accordingly, parents will provide a written explanation for the absence and
tardiness of a child. This will be required in advance for types of absences where
advance notice is possible.
Any child who has been absent from school for health reasons for five days or more
or who has had any contagious condition (even for only a day) such as chicken pox,
strep infections or impetigo must have a certification of good health written or
telephoned to the school nurse by a physician upon return to school. If no doctor
attended the child, the school nurse will issue this certification and will consult
with the school physician when necessary.
In instances of chronic or irregular absence reportedly due to illness, the school
administration may request a physician's statement certifying such absences to be
justifiable.
LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 76:1; 76:16; 76:20
First Reading:
Adoption Date: 9/1/98