Attendance

Absences add up!  Missing just two days a month leads to gaps in learning and lower graduation rates.  That’s why we believe EVERY DAY MATTERS. Regular and punctual school and class attendance are essential to a student’s success.  We expect students to attend school every day unless they have an “explained” absence. Excused/explained absences are defined by Maine law and School Committee policy as follows: 

1. Personal illness; 
2. An appointment with a health professional that must be made during the regular school day; 
3. Observance of a recognized religious holiday when the observance is required during the regular school day; 
4. A family emergency; 
5. A planned absence for a personal or educational purpose that has been approved; 
6. Education disruption resulting from homelessness, unplanned psychiatric hospitalization, unplanned hospitalization for a medical emergency, foster care placement, youth development placement or some other out-of-district placement that is not otherwise authorized by either any individual education plan or a superintendent's’ student transfer agreement. “Education disruption” does not apply to a student who is out of school for 10 or more consecutive school days as a result of a planned absence for a reason such as a family event or a medical absence for planned hospitalization or recovery. 

Upon returning to school following an absence, a student must report directly to the Main Office, with a note from their parent or guardian providing a reason for the absence. Parents or guardians may also email attendance notices directly to dhssecretary@portlandschools.org  Students with a note explaining a legitimate absence will be marked “EXPLAINED” (EA) for attendance records.  Absences without a note will be marked “UNEXPLAINED” (UA) and will count towards truancy.