Attendance – Ashford School

Ashford School believes that every day in school counts and has developed a systemic response to school absence to assist and support families!

Summary of Attendance Policy

8 Absences (excused or unexcused ) – A letter will be mailed home to remind families what will be expected with 10 or more absences.
10 Absences (excused or unexcused ) – A letter will be mailed home and the family will be asked to meet with school personnel.
4 Absences in a month (unexcused) – A letter will be mailed home and the family will be asked to meet with school personnel.

Definition of chronic absence: Missing 10 percent of school of the school year for any reason including excused and unexcused absences.

Definition of truancy: 4 unexcused absences in a month or 10 unexcused absences in a year.

Total Absent Days

Acceptable Reasons for a Student Absence to be Considered Excused

Documentation Required within 10 Days

Level 1

1-9

Any reason that the student’s parent/guardian approves.

Parent/Guardian communication

Level 2

10 or more

Student illness (Note: to be deemed excused, an appropriately licensed medical professional must verify all student illness absences, regardless of the absence’s length).
Student’s observance of a religious holiday.
Death in the student’s family or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family.
Mandated court appearance (additional documentation required).
The lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends (parental documentation is not required for this reason).
Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by district administrators. (Opportunities must meet certain criteria.)

Parent/Guardian communication and in some cases, additional documentation (see details of specific reason)