ENFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION
ENFIELD, CONNECTICUT
Students 5113
Attendance Policy K-12
Connecticut law requires that children attend school regularly during the hours and terms that the public
school is in session, unless specifically exempted from attendance by law. The Superintendent of Schools
shall establish such procedures as deemed necessary to determine the cause of habitual truancy, including
medical verification for excessive absence, and shall cooperate with other private and governmental
agencies in correcting the causes thereof.
Experience indicates that regular school attendance is important for school success. These regulations
reflect our belief that classroom learning activities are an essential part of the curriculum for all students
and are intended to reduce tardiness and absence from class.
The Connecticut Board of Education adopted new definitions for an absence to be considered excused
(see table below). It is important to note that while the first nine absences in a school year can be deemed
excused for any reason the parent or guardian provides, the tenth and each subsequent absence establish a
more stringent and specific set of reasons for the absence to qualify as excused.
In cases of an excused absence other than family-initiated travel, appropriate provisions will be made by
school staff regarding assistance with missed assignments, homework and tests. When an excused
absence is the result of family-initiated travel, teachers are under no obligation to 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.
The State Board of Education defines two levels of criteria for an absence to be considered an excused
absence (see table below).
Level Total # of
Days
Absent*
1 One through
nine
2 Ten and
above
Acceptable Reasons for a Student Absence to
be Considered Excused
• Any reason that the student’s parent or
guardian approves.
• Student illness (Note: to be deemed
excused, an appropriately licensed medical
professional must verify all). 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).
Documentation
Required Within 10
Days
Parent or guardian note
or phone call
Parent or guardian note
and in some cases
additional
documentation (see
details of specific
reason).
2
(cont.)
Ten and
above
• Student’s observance of a religious holiday.
• Death in the student’s family or other
emergency beyond the control of the
Parent or guardian note
and in some cases
additional
64