August 31, 2009

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians:

Attendance is so very important for the learning of each student. Most of our students have excellent attendance and, therefore, benefit from the interaction with the teachers and other students.

Unfortunately, we already have some students who are logging unexcused absences and tardies. In addition to losing out on learning, these students and their families are risking truancy and habitual truancy issues which could result in court action.

Attached to this letter is a copy of our school’s Attendance Policy which is located on page 3 out of our Student-Parent Handbook which can be found in the front of each student’s Agenda/Planner. Please review the policy and be aware of the attendance requirements of our school. Our school’s policy is in line with district and state laws/regulations.

One significant item of the policy involves family vacations. These are not recognized by the state, the district, or the school as excused absences. I have already had several requests to excuse absences to Disney World and other similar locations. Based on our policy, I am unable to excuse any absences for vacations.

The policy does allow me to excuse an absence for Educational Enhancement. This means that the activity or program must be one that has significant educational value, be intensive in nature, and be directly related to at least one of the core curriculum subjects of English, science, math, social studies, foreign language, and/or the arts. For example, the student has been selected to serve as a page in the KY Legislature or to participate in a one time unique program that enhances the student’s learning such as attending a special space camp, etc. Routine visits to Disney World that might include a visit to Epcot could be educational in nature, but would not qualify as intensive in nature to earn any excused absences out of the trip.

I know some families have already developed a habit of fall vacations in October. Please be mindful that I can not excuse these vacations. Our current year’s calendar was approved by the Board of Education on January 20, 2009 and was publicized soon thereafter in order for families to be able to plan trips, etc. and not interfere with school schedules. Again, please be mindful of the rules that I have to follow and administer.

Thanks for your cooperation in helping us keep our students in school in order to maximize their learning.

Respectfully,

Les McIntosh, Ed.S., Principal

   Bullitt County Public Schools

2009-10 Monthly Attendance Reports