School Absence

ATTENDANCE HOTLINE 283-4600 Ext 18:  The Gardner-Dickinson Attendance Hot Line number is monitored by the school nurse.  We encourage parents to use this convenient method, between 3:15 pm and 8:30 am, to notify the school about student absences.  If we do not hear from you and the student is absent, the school will call the home or parent's place of work to confirm the absence.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE:  The Board of Education, in accordance with the state Education Law, requires that each minor regularly attend school full-time from the first day of session in September of the school year in which the minor becomes six years of age through the last day of the school year in which such minor becomes 17 years of age/unless he/she has completed a four-year high school course of study.  He/She may attend a school other than a public school or receive home instruction, provided the instruction is equivalent to that given in the public school.

TARDINESS & EARLY RELEASE:  Tardiness, whether the fault of the child or the parent, cannot be excused except for the reasons cited below.  A note explaining the cause of lateness or early release is required.  Since excessive tardiness or early release and absences are not conducive to good work habits or learning parents should make every effort to have their children in school every day and on time.

STUDENT TARDINESS, ABSENCES AND EXCUSES:  The following reasons for student absences from schools are recognized as valid by the Board of Education:

1.  illness
2.  illness or death in the family
3.  unsafe travel conditions
4.  religious observance
5.  medical appointments
6.  quarantine
7.  required court appearances
8.  approved school visits

Any other absence is considered illegal.  Each absence must be accounted for.  It is the parent's/guardian's responsibility to notify the office on the morning of the absence.  It is essential that parents/guardians provide a written excuse for each absence.  Such excuse should contain the reason and date of absence.

EARLY DISMISSAL:  Students needing to be excused early from school for illness or medical appointments must provide a written parental request for such early dismissal.  Written requests for early dismissal must be submitted to the School Office before the start of school.  Parents are required to pick students up at the School Office and sign them out for early dismissal.