EPS: Elementary Handbook 2023-24 | Page 16

ATTENDANCE - TRUANCY ( continued ) 5113.2
The District shall utilize the chronic absenteeism prevention and intervention plan developed by the State Department of Education when it becomes available . Such plan must include the means for collecting and analyzing data relating to student attendance , truancy , and chronic absenteeism . The data must be disaggregated by school district , school grades , and subgroups such as race , ethnicity , gender , eligibility for free and reduced priced lunches , students whose primary language is no English , and student with disabilities .
The District shall annually include in information for the strategic school profile report for each school and the District that submitted to the Commissioner of Education , data pertaining to truancy and chronically absent children .
The Principal or his / her designee of any elementary or middle school located in a town / city designated as an alliance district may refer to the children ’ s truancy clinic established by the Probate Court serving the town / city , a parent / guardian with a child defined as a truant , or who is at risk of becoming a truant . ( An attendance officer or a police officer shall deliver the citation and summons and a copy of the referral to the parent / guardian ).
( cf . 5113 – Attendance )
Legal Reference : Connecticut General Statutes 10-184 Duties of parents . ( as amended by PA 98-243 , PA 00-157 and PA 18-15 ) 10-198a Policies and procedures concerning truants ( as amended by PA 00-157 , PA 11-136 and PA 16-147 ) 10-198b State Board of Education to define “ excused absence ”, “ unexcused absence ”, and “ disciplinary absences ” 10-198c Attendance review teams ( as amended by PA 17-14 ) 10-198d Chronic absenteeism ( as amended by PA 18-182 ) 10-198e Identification of truancy identification models ( as amended by PA 18-182 ) 10-199 through 10-202 Attendance , truancy in general . ( Revised , 1995 , PA 95- 304 ) 45a-8c Truancy clinic . Administration . Policies and procedures . Report . ( as amended by PA 15-225 ) 10-220 ( c ) Duties of boards of education ( as amended by PA 15-225 ) 10-202e-f Policy on dropout prevention and grant program . 10-221 ( b ) Board of education to prescribe rules . Campbell v New Milford , 193 Conn 93 ( 1984 ). Action taken by the State Board of Education on January 2 , 2008 , to define “ attendance .” Action taken by the State Board of Education on June 27 , 2012 , to define “ excused and “ unexcused ” absences .
Policy Adopted : January 27 , 2022
AUTOMATED PHONE MESSAGING SYSTEMS The Enfield Public Schools utilizes a variety of systems ( School-Messenger , Twitter , and our school website ) to communicate with parents . The School-Messenger is an automated phone messaging system which gives school administrators the ability to easily contact parents / guardians immediately of news that needs to be communicated . Administrators have the ability to send personally prerecorded messages to the entire school community , or they can tailor transmissions to smaller groups , when needed . You will still find relevant information regarding closings , delays , and early dismissals on television , radio , the district homepage www . enfieldschools . org , and the snowline at 860-253-5170 . In an emergency , if you are unable to reach the school office after 3:30 PM , please call 860-253-6500 ( Administrative Offices of the Enfield Board of Education ) for assistance .
BACKPACKS Students find it useful to carry book bags , duffel bags , and knapsacks . Students are allowed to carry / use these items to and from school only . The American Academy of Pediatrics ( AAP ) recommends that children should never carry backpacks that weigh more than 20 % of their body weight . Students who do carry backpacks should distribute the load by putting the heaviest items , such as books and binders , closest to their back . The AAP also recommends that students use backpacks with padded straps and wear both straps tightened so that the backpack is close to the body . Care should be taken not to carry the backpack on one shoulder , as this uneven , heavy load can distort posture , causing muscle strain and fatigue .
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