Student Handbooks JFK Student Handbook 2017-2018 | Page 6

provide advance assignments or to review work missed during the period of absence. However, students must be allowed to take make-up tests. The student’s Principal/Assistant Principal must be notified in writing of extended absences due to family-initiated travel. A student’s absence from school shall be considered excused if written documentation of the reason for the absence has been submitted within ten school days of the student’s return to school and must meet the following criteria: A. For absences one through nine, a student’s absences from school are considered excused when the student’s parent/guardian approves such absence and submits appropriate documentation; and B. For the tenth absence and all absences thereafter, a student’s absences from school are considered excused for the following reasons: 1. Student illness (Note: all student illness absences must be verified by an appropriately licensed medical professional to be deemed excused, regardless of the length of absence); 2. Student’s observance of a religious holiday; 3. Death in the student’s family or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family; 4. Mandated court appearances (additional documentation required); 5. The lack of transportation that is normally provided by the district other than the one the student attends (no parental documentation is required for this reason); or 6. Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by district administrators and in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education guidance. Calling in Your Student Absent If a student is absent from school, parents are required to: 1. CALL the school at 860-763-8855 before 9:00 a.m. to report the absence. Simply follow the prompts to report the absence on the attendance voicemail line. 2. Follow up with a written excuse to the homeroom teacher, brought to school by the student on the day he or she returns. Please include the following: • Student’s full name and homeroom • Date or dates of absence • Reason for absence • Parent’s signature. Please see Board Policy 5113 (found on our website at (www.enfieldschools.org) for more detailed information regarding Attendance, Early Dismissal and Tardy to School policies. Homework Requests If your child is absent from school for three days or less, he or she is to use the Homework Buddy System and call a classmate for assignments. There is a directory in the back of the homework agenda for students to list their homework buddies’ names and phone numbers. If your child is absent for an extended period of time (four days or more) and is able to do some work at home, please contract his or her house office (phone numbers listed below) to request homework assignments. The following information will be needed: Student’s full name Student’s grade and homeroom The first day the student was out of school and how long you expect him or her to be out. Homework assignments will be available in the main office for pick up by parents after 2:00 p.m. on the next day following the receipt of your request. 6