Bogota School District

LILLIAN M. STEEN SCHOOL

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE

Please be advised that when your child is absent from school it is the parent/ guardian's responsibility to inform the school nurse by 9:00 AM EACH day that your child is absent.  Three or more consecutive absences require a doctor's note to return to school. 

Mrs. Capote, School Nurse, may be reached at 201 441-4837.  Voicemail is also available for your convenience. 

Thank you.

Arnold T. Oftedal

Principal

BOGOTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

The goal of the Bogota Board of Education is to provide an appropriate educational program for every student enrolled in the schools of the district.  Pupil participation in all regularly scheduled classroom activities is essential if the Board is to accomplish this goal.  In addition, frequent absences from regularly scheduled classes disrupt the learning process and will not allow a student to receive the maximum benefits of the district’s educational program.  Therefore, to acquire a thorough and efficient education, each enrolled student shall attend the entirety of each class, each day when school is in session or shall be engaged in other approved school activities, unless legally absent.

A student must be in attendance a minimum of 164 days to be eligible for promotion.  A student absent more than 16 days of school is liable for the penalties of this policy regardless if the absences are excused or unexcused.  Class periods missed through tardiness to school, absence from school or early dismissal will be counted as absences.  Non-chargeable absences will not count.  Although a student may satisfactorily complete the grade level, he/she may not be promoted if the attendance requirement is not fulfilled.

Upon returning to school after an absence, a written excuse must be provided.  The excuse should consist of a note from the parent or guardian, indicating dates(s) of absence(s) and, the reason.  All notes should be submitted to the office upon arrival to school after and absence.

Respecting a student’s right to an education, the following plan of action utilizes due process and constructive measures of rehabilitation.

Days of Absence

Action Taken

4^th Day

Letter to parent/guardian of student. 

8^th Day

Letter sent to parent/guardian of student.  Administrative contact with student and parent/guardian. Guidance Counselor notified. 

12^th Day

Letter sent to parent/guardian of student.  Parent/student will be required to meet/conference with the Principal.

16^th Day

Meet/conference; notification will be sent by certified mail to the parent/guardian informing them that their child has reached the limit in absences.  Superintendent notified.

17^th Day

Notification will be sent by certified mail to the parent/guardian informing them of the student’s promotion status.  The parent/guardian will have five (5) school days in which to appeal the promotion status in writing to the Principal

Tardiness to School/Early Dismissal

A day of absence will be attained for every six (6) tardies.  All tardies will be totaled and added to the days of absence accumulated in the attendance policy.  Each dismissal from school, unless for administrative reasons, will be counted as an absence for the periods missed.

1.  Petition for Appeal - A written petition must be submitted to the Principal by the student’s parent/guardian, no later than five (5) school days after the receipt of the retention status.  Failure to do so will forfeit the right to an appeal.

2.  Attendance Review Board – In keeping with the dictates of the due process procedure, the School Attendance Review Board will review cases brought by petition from the parent/guardian within 15 days of receipt.  The appeal committee will be comprised of the Principal, two teachers, School Nurse, Guidance Counselor and child study team caseworker, if appropriate.

3.  Appeal to the Superintendent – The parent/guardian has the right to appeal the decision of the Attendance Review Board to the Superintendent of Schools.  A written appeal must be received in the Superintendent’s office within 15 days of receipt of the Review Board’s decision.