OMS Policies and Procedures

	O N E O N T A M I D D L E S C H O O L O N E O N T A , N Y

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular school attendance is required by New York State Education Law and is vital to a student’s
academic progress. Legal reasons for absence from school include illness, death in the family, court
hearing, and religious observances. It would be best if parents could make medical
and other appointments outside of school hours.

          ONEONTA MIDDLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS

Student attendance in school and class shall be the responsibility of each student, following the
instructional calendar. In-school student attendance records shall be the responsibility of the
Attendance Office in conjunction with classroom teachers each period. It is the intent of these
regulations to encourage good attendance.
A. Absence from School
      1. Any unauthorized absence during any part of the school day will be deemed to be an absence
            from school for the purpose of these regulations.
      2. On the day following an absence from school, the student shall immediately report to the
            Attendance Office before proceeding to class. The student is required to submit a written excuse
            signed by the parent or legal guardian, indicating the reason for the absence.
      3. If no written excuse has been submitted within three days from the date of the return to school,
            the absence will be deemed illegal. A day of Alternative Education may be assigned for illegal absences
            if the absence is a cut.
B. Tardiness to School
      Any student who is late getting to school (after 7:35 AM) must immediately report to the
        Attendance Office with a note. If no note authorizes the tardiness, the student may be assigned either a
        detention or time in the Alternative Education program for the remainder of the half-day, plus lunch
        detention.
C. Absence from Class
      1. Any student who has cut a class will receive NO credit for any class work (the student may
            receive a zero test score for a quiz score, homework assignment, written report, term paper, oral
            presentation, speech, or project) for the cut class.
      2. Any student who misses 20 or more minutes of class will be considered absent from class.
      3. Any student who is absent from class for a particular course for more than the maximum number
            of classes stated hereinafter shall receive NO credit for that course.
      4. The classroom teacher shall keep track of the absences and shall notify the Attendance Office
            when the absences reach the maximum allowable limit. The teacher will also notify the parent or legal
            guardian that the student is approaching such limits; also, the guidance counselor, who shall institute
            counseling steps to attempt to remedy the problem.
D. Extracurricular Participation
      A student must be in attendance at school on the day of any extracurricular or sporting event in
        order to participate. Any cuts will cause forfeiture of that day’s practice or event.
E.   Range of Penalties
    Illegal Absence from Class or Study Hall
      One day of detention; parent notification by teacher
      OR
      Repeat offenses or multiple periods missed in one day:   One to three days of in-school
        suspension, or out-of-school suspension; parent notification
    Illegal Absence from School
      If the student leaves the building without permission during the morning or afternoon periods
        (academic or study hall periods), he/she may be assigned to Alternative Education or one to three days
        of out-of-school suspension.
F.   PINS
      Failure to attend school regularly may require the filing of a PINS (“Person In Need of
        Supervision”) petition through the County Probation Department.