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The Board of Education of the Ballston Spa Central School
District recognizes that student attendance in school is an important component
of student success. Student interaction with teachers and other students in
class helps to enhance the academic learning experience and provides a basis by
which students can demonstrate mastery of subject matter.
Pursuant to section 104.1 of
the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, the Ballston Spa Board of
Education has adopted this comprehensive attendance policy that requires taking
of attendance in each period of scheduled instruction. Any absence for a school
day or portion thereof shall be recorded as excused or unexcused in accordance
with the standards set forth in this policy. In the event that a pupil arrives
late for or departs early for scheduled instruction, such tardiness or early
departure shall be recorded as excused or unexcused.
The following reasons for pupil absences, tardiness, and
early departure shall be considered by the Board of Education to be excused:
a)
Illness;
b)
illness or death in the family;
c)
unsafe travel conditions;
d)
religious observance;
e)
medical appointments;
f)
quarantine;
g)
required court appearance;
h)
participation in a school-sponsored
activity;
i)
up to three (3) approved college visits;
and
j)
approved school based cooperative work
programs
Any other pupil absence,
tardiness, or early departure is considered by the Board of Education to be
unexcused. It is the responsibility of the parents or guardian of the pupil to
notify the attendance office by telephone on the morning of the absence or
tardiness or at the time of the early departure as to the reason for such
absence. As a follow-up to any oral notification, parents/guardians must
provide a written excuse within 10 school days containing the date of the
absence and the reason for such. Written excuses will not be accepted beyond 10
school days and any non-documented absences will be counted as unexcused.
In order for a high school student to receive credit for
a course, it is important that the student attend regular class meetings. For a
student to receive credit for a course he/she must attain a 90% attendance rate
for a given course. Excused absences will not be calculated into the attendance
formula, provided that all make-up work is performed in a timely manner.
Beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, chronic student absenteeism will be
referred to the Saratoga County District Attorney's office.
The following chart indicates the formula that will be
followed in indicating the relationship between absences and loss of credit:
FULL YEAR
|
SEMESTER |
|
MEETINGS PER WEEK
(Depending on rotation)
|
|
|
3/4 |
4/5 |
2/3 |
3/4 |
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
|
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
|
|
|
5
|
9 |
|
|
Conference
with Counselor
|
|
9 |
13 |
2 |
3 |
Phone Call to
Parent by Ass’t Principal;
Conference
with Counselor, Parent, Student;
Letter Sent to
Parents |
|
14
|
18 |
4 |
7 |
Loss of Credit |
Any pupil absence that is both
properly excused and for which the student has performed any assigned make-up
work shall not be counted as an absence for the purpose of determining the
student’s eligibility for course credit under this policy.
In-school suspension, for which
the student is doing work related to his or her particular classes, and
out-of-school suspension, where the student takes advantage of alternate
educational services provided by the district, shall not count as absences from
class under this section of the policy.
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