REPORTING A STUDENT ABSENT FROM SCHOOL

Whenever your child is absent from school, please call the office before 8:30 on the day of the absence, or call/send a note anytime before the day of the absence. The Estabrook Attendance Line is (781) 861-2520 (then press 4). Please leave a message with your child’s full name, the reason for the absence, anticipated date(s) of absence, and the teacher’s name. It is not necessary to send in a note once your child has returned to school, unless there has been five or more consecutive days of illness.

Families of students whose absence has not been reported will be contacted by the school office the morning of the absence.

ABSENCE AND TARDY INFORMATION

Students arriving late to school must report to the main office with a parent, and be signed in by the parent with a reason for tardiness.  Instruction begins at 8:45 a.m. A child is considered late for school if he or she is not in the classroom by 8:45 a.m. ready to begin the school day.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact school staff and work collaboratively with them to correct the reasons that the student is missing school.

A meeting will be scheduled with the building Principal (or his/her designee) and parent(s)/guardians to develop an action plan to improve the student’s attendance if a student has accrued any of the following:

  • Five (5) or more unexcused absences in the school year
  • Five (5) or more days tardy (unexcused)
  • Two (2) or more classes/periods (unexcused)

When a student has been absent for five (5) or more consecutive days, parents must obtain a doctor’s note and submit it to school.  If a student is absent for eight or more days in a quarter, school officials may file a CRA (Child Requiring Assistance) petition with the Juvenile Court which could result in a hearing before a Juvenile Court Judge. Prior to the filing of a CRA, families and students will be required to work with school administrators to improve the student’s attendance. Chronic absenteeism may also lead to academic failure for the year and retention of the student.

An EXCUSED ABSENCE/TARDY includes:

  • Documented illness or injury
  • Bereavement/family funeral
  • Major religious observances
  • Extraordinary family circumstances (excused at the discretion of the principal)

An UNEXCUSED ABSENCE/TARDY is not covered by the aforementioned definition of “Excused Absence/Tardy.”  Examples of an unexcused absence may include, but may not be limited to:

  • Repetitive or chronic absence or tardiness due to illness or injury not documented by a doctor or other medical professional
  • Cutting class (suspendible offense)
  • Truancy
  • Family vacations
  • Undocumented absences
  • Non-emergency family situations

EARLY DISMISSAL

If your child will be leaving during the school day, please send in a note to the homeroom teacher. Then, plan to pick up your child at the office where personnel will call the homeroom to notify the child and teacher.

CHANGING A DISMISSAL ROUTINE

Advance notice is required for a change in a student’s dismissal plan.  When changing your child’s dismissal plan, including dismissing a child to another parent, please send a note of written permission to the school, and the office will change your child’s plan accordingly. Please do not make dismissal changes after 2:00 p.m. or via telephone unless there is an emergency, as this disrupts student learning. Dismissal changes sent via email the day of are not guaranteed to be received.

FAMILY VACATIONS & TRAVEL

Parents and students are reminded that Massachusetts General Law Chapter 222 requires compulsory attendance for students. We strongly discourage family vacations / travel when school is in session, and instead schedule travel only during school holidays and vacations. In addition to compromising the attendance law, family vacations interrupt the educational process in ways that make-up work cannot reverse. Teachers will not provide homework assignments prior to a family vacation or travel.