Schools toughen policy on excessive student absences

New benchmarks to address excessive student absences, particularly at the high school level, are among the noteworthy policy changes included in the Canton Public Schools’ updated student/family handbooks, which were published online for students and their parents/guardians earlier this week.

Canton School Committee members were also briefed on the rule changes during their meeting last Thursday, September 1. Specific to Canton High School, Principal Derek Folan explained to the committee that attendance reports would be run for each class at the conclusion of each term, and those students with seven or more absences would be required to meet with administrators to discuss the reasons for the absences.

Folan said there remains a possibility that credits could be lost for further absences; however, the student could retain the credits by making up the missed work.

Folan said during the meeting with students, an action plan will be developed collaboratively between the school, parents and students to improve attendance and academic achievement. Loss of credit will only serve as a last resort after multiple meetings and the review of the action plan. “Our hope is we work together to make sure all students are supported and are successful,” Folan said.

For all other students in the district, principals will send a letter home to parents requesting a meeting after a student is absent for more than five days.

The new attendance policy is included in the 2016-17 District Appendix and be can be accessed via the CPS website.

All parents and students will be asked to read and sign their school’s handbook by September 12. The handbooks include policies on bullying, responsible use of technology, family education privacy, protection of pupil rights, and a media release.

In other news from the September 1 School Committee meeting, School Business Manager Barry Nectow reported that the new Hansen classroom addition would be open in time for the start of school, thanks to a herculean effort in the last few weeks by the contractor and the Canton Public Schools’ maintenance and custodial staff. Nectow thanked Building Inspector Ed Walsh for visiting the site “at least 15 times” to inspect the work. “It was a team effort by so many people to get it done,” he said.

Also on Thursday, the committee endorsed the 2016 District Vision, Core Values, and Goals as developed over the summer through a collaborative effort by School Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Fischer-Mueller, her management team, and CPS staff members. The vision of the Canton Public Schools is to “develop students who are competent and creative thinkers, curious and confident learners, and compassionate citizens.” The core values are academic excellence and rigor; an inclusive and engaged community; respectful and responsible relationships; and continuous reflection and improvement.

There are also four district goals for the 2016-17 school year, including a greater emphasis on data collection and analysis; development of a culture that promotes social and emotional learning; continued improvement and instructional growth through the educator evaluation process; and a commitment by all staff to respond to the individual “strengths, challenges, and identities” of every student …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Sep 9 2016. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.