In an effort to improve attendance at John Dalton Intermediate School, which is an important part of the No Child Left Behind Act, I have recommended, and the School Board has approved, a new attendance policy.  The new attendance guidelines are as follows:

1.      After a student’s third consecutive day of absence, and /or the fifth cumulative day of documented absence each semester, the student must produce a doctor’s note in order to receive an excused absence.  If the student fails to provide a doctor’s note, the student will be assigned to detention.  If the student accumulates excessive detention due to failure to serve detention, he or she will be assigned to Saturday School.

2.      All undocumented absences will result in the student being assigned detention in order to make up missed work.   If the student accumulates excessive detention due to failure to serve detention, he or she will be assigned to Saturday School.

3.      If a student accumulates five undocumented absences, the parent will be asked to come to the school for a conference with the principal, during which time a plan for the improved attendance of the student will be formulated.  If a sixth undocumented absence should occur, the parent will be asked to, once again, conference with the principal.  Should a seventh undocumented absence occur, a truancy petition will be filed with the court system.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at 731-3651.

Sincerely,

Walter J. Smith

Principal