Attendance Policy

            The regular attendance of your child is very important to his/her academic.  Students are expected to be present and punctual for school and all school activities.  Please make any and all necessary arrangements to have your child at school each day unless illness or an emergency situation forces you to keep your child at home.

            Attendance is important but keeping an ill child home is also important.  This protects your child as well as his/her classmates.  In the event that your child misses a day of school, please send an excuse stating the reason for the absences upon his/her return to school.  The excuse is to be presented to his/her teacher on the day the students returns to school.  The school is mandated to the keeping of an up-to-date attendance register requiring explanations of all absences.  In case of prolonged illness or of excessive absenteeism, the school may request a medical report from the family's physician.

            It is most desirable that all students be in school by 8:20 a.m.  If you cannot get your child to school on time on a particular day, please get him/her to school AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, EVEN IF IT IS QUITE LATE.  This is preferable to keeping your child out for a complete day.

            If your child is going to be absent or excessively late, please call the office at 375-8921 prior to 9:00 a.m. to let us know where he/she is.  If we do not hear from you by this time, we will be contacting you to ascertain your child's whereabouts.  Your fullest cooperation is requested and appreciated in these matters.

           Based upon our district’s education and our community needs, values and priorities, Olean City School District has determined that absences, tardiness and early departures will be considered excused or unexcused according to the following guidelines:

Excused:  personal illness; illness or death in family; medical appointments; impassable roads due to inclement weather; religious observance;quarantine; court appearances;other reasons approved by the Board of Education.

Unexcused:  Any reason that does not fall into the above categories including but not limited to “cutting” a class or family vacation.

            An excuse signed by the parent/person in parental relation must be brought to the school office when the student returns to school.  The excuse must state the date of the absence and give a specific reason.  In cases of prolonged illness or of excessive absenteeism, the school may request a medical report from the family’s physician.