Statement of Overall Objectives

New York State Education Law requires that students attend school every day it is in session unless they are legally excused. The educational program offered by the Cheektowaga-Sloan Union Free School District is predicated on the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation.

School attendance is both a right and a responsibility. The School District is an active partner with students and parents in the task of ensuring that all students meet or exceed the New York State Learning Standards. The Cheektowaga Sloan Union Free School District recognizes that school attendance, academic success and school completion have a positive correlation and that all three affect future employment. Therefore, the School District has developed and, if necessary, will revise a Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy.

Determination of Excused and Unexcused Absences, Tardiness and Early Departures

Based upon our District’s education and community needs, values and priorities, the District has determined that absences, tardiness and early departures will be considered excused or unexcused according to the following standards. The classification of excused and unexcused absences applies to all grade levels.

      a. Excused: An absence, tardiness or early departure may be excused due to:

• • Personal illness
  • Illness or death in the family
  • Impassable roads due to inclement weather
  • Religious observance
  • Participation in "Take Your Child to Work" day
  • Quarantine
  • Required court appearances
  • Attendance at health clinics
  • Approved college visits
  • Approved cooperative work programs
  • Military obligations
  • Late bus
  • School-sponsored field trips
  • School endorsed but non-school sponsored activities with a bona fide educational purpose and a direct relationship to the student's current course schedule to include NYSBDA; NYSSMA; honor ensembles; state-level FBLA and DECA competitions and officer meetings; and sectional, regional, state and national athletic competitions for individual athletes
  • Or other such reasons as may be approved by the Board of Education
•  

      b. Unexcused: An absence, tardiness or early departure is considered unexcused if the reason for the lack of attendance does not fall into the above categories. 

• Examples of unexcused absences include but are not limited to:

  • family vacation
  • hunting
  • babysitting
  • hair cut
  • obtaining a learner's permit
  • road test
  • oversleeping
  • missed bus
  • OR private instruction

The District encourages parents, whenever possible, to schedule outside appointments for their child before or after school hours.

Written requests from, the parent/guardian for the release of students generally will be honored. The appropriate time and reason for absence shall be recorded on the attendance record, using the procedures mandated by the state.

Any absence from school requires a note from the parent or guardian as to the reason for the absence. 

For our complete Attendance Policy, please click here: Code of Conduct (pages 19-21)