“The first step in doing well in school is being there.”
The Rochester City School District recognizes that consistent school attendance, academic success, and school completion are all connected.
Students learn best when they attend school every day. When students miss school, they miss important lessons and essential skills they need for academic success.
Also, good attendance establishes a pattern of responsibility and commitment that will serve students throughout their lives—including college and the workplace.
The Rochester Board of Education’s Attendance/Participation Policy requires that students have at least 93% attendance in each class, each marking period, to be eligible for a passing grade. The ideal, of course, is 100%.
To support students and families, the District’s Attendance Initiative is dedicated to removing barriers to good attendance.
Objectives:
- Improve daily student attendance.
- Increase communication between school and home.
- Connect students and families to resources that meet their individual needs and help them overcome obstacles to good attendance.
For more information or for assistance with an attendance issue, call 262-8209.
Attendance Initiative
Students learn best when they attend school daily. The District’s Attendance Initiative supports this principle by addressing directly the issue of poor student attendance and its root causes. This in turn can have an impact on student graduation rates in years to come.
The District’s Attendance Initiative, housed at 353 Congress Avenue, works in conjunction with TRIP. Using online school data and contacts from teachers, attendance staff identify students with chronic attendance problems and investigate their circumstances. They then develop a plan to reconnect the student and his/her family with the school and the necessary social services to address their needs and improve attendance.
Attendance Initiative staff support families by:
- Serving as intermediaries between the student’s family and school, making home visits and maintaining personal contact to ensure progress is made.
- Working with social service providers, making referrals in response to family needs.
- Working with school wellness centers to provide in-school services and support.
- Serving as a link between families and social services, empowering parents to make their own connections with service providers for long-term results.
Root Causes of Truancy
There are numerous issues—social, medical, familial—that can impact a student’s attendance. As serious as these issues may be, there are none that can’t be overcome with support from school district staff and service providers who partner with our schools. If you need assistance, call 324-3227 or 208-2677.
Situations That Fuel Absenteeism:
- Family problems
- Homelessness
- Change of address
- Lack of transportation
- Language barriers
- Lack of immunizations
- Illness/doctor’s appointments
- Threats/harassment/bullying
- Failure to return from suspension
- Pregnancy
- School phobia
- Complications caused by individual student needs
Attendance Tips for Parents
- Let children know that good attendance is important.
Show them that you’re interested in their school activities and want them to do well in school.
- Communicate with school staff.
Let them know in advance if your child is going to be absent or if you have concerns about your child’s attendance or school performance.
- Observe the school schedule.
Plan family vacations during school recesses and schedule children’s doctor appointments after school hours whenever possible.
Make sure children have homework done, school materials together, and clothes laid out the night before school. Make sure they get enough sleep so that they’re well rested in the morning.
- Praise your child when he or she exhibits good attendance and promptness.
- Contact the Attendance Department if you need assistance:
Lynn Crawford,
Director of
Program Management
262-8209
Student Guide to the Attendance/Participation Policy
Being a good student starts with good attendance—you can’t succeed if you don’t show up. In fact, good attendance is important in every aspect of life, whether it’s school, work, sports, club activities, church events or anything.
Showing up when you’re supposed to lets others know you’re responsible and take your work seriously. And that’s important to being a good student, a good employee, and a good citizen.
Of course, attendance is just one requirement for a good education. Paying attention, participating in class, studying, completing assignments, and working hard are essential. But in order to do well in school, you must first make sure you are in school.
Because student attendance in school is so important, the Rochester Board of Education in 1998 adopted an Attendance/Participation Policy which applies to all students in grades 7-12.
What does the policy say?
The policy requires students to maintain a minimum level of attendance in each class, each marking period, to be eligible for a passing grade. The minimum level of attendance is 93%. That’s 170 days out of a possible 183.
If your attendance falls below the minimum level in any class, you will receive an "F" in that class for that marking period. Of course, all students are expected to strive for 100% attendance, not just the minimum.
What types of absences will be counted?
All absences will be counted against the minimum attendance requirement, regardless of whether your parent or guardian notifies the school. This includes absences due to illness, doctor’s appointments, etc., as well as unexcused absences. However, parents are still expected to notify the school when you are absent.
What if there is no way I can avoid an absence?
An absence will not be counted against the minimum requirement if you make up all missed work within 10 school days after returning to school, and if that work is of an acceptable quality. It is your responsibility to contact your teachers regarding missed work.
How will I know if I am falling below the minimum attendance requirement?
District officials will notify your parent or guardian when you are absent three times in one marking period. This is a signal that you may be in danger of falling below the minimum requirement.
If you have any questions about this policy, please see your teacher or guidance counselor.
The complete Attendance/Participation Policy is available at:
http://www.rcsdk12.org/BOE/Policy%205100.pdf |
