We are getting to that time of year where student absences at East Elementary start to accumulate. Part of my job at East is to promote regular attendance and ensure that parents know how many days their child has missed.  In our student handbook we have an attendance policy which you can view with the following link: Student Handbook. The policy states that after 10 absences I will contact the parents/guardians and that after 14, I will write a letter home to the parents/guardians.  We, at East Elementary, understand that there are a number of circumstances where your child may have to be away from school, as described in the School Act.  Section 13 of the school act states:

Section 13- Compulsory Education (5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a student is excused from attending school on a day on which the school is open if (a) the student is unable to attend by reason of sickness or other unavoidable cause, (b) the day is recognized as a religious holiday by the religious denomination to which the student belongs, (c) the principal of the school has suspended the student from school and the suspension is still in effect, (d) the student has been expelled from a school and has not been given permission to enroll in another school

I realize there may be other events that come up during the school year which may cause your child to be absent, and as a school community we always try to be sensitive towards those instances.  If you do receive a phone call or letter from the school, please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns about your child’s absences.  As always, our goal is to support all of our East families and ensure that all of our students have regular attendance.

Have a super month and see you all at school!!