School achievement begins with regular attendance.

Parents/guardians have the responsibility to ensure that all school-age children in their care are in school and on time every day. Students have the responsibility to be on time and attend all classes. Students are expected to attend school for 180 days. School begins at 8:00am and ends at 3:00pm. The half-day primary program for three-year-olds is from 8:00-12:00.

Absences

Absences in excess of ten days per year will not be considered excused with a parent/guardian note unless they are accompanied by official medical or legal documentation.

Documentation of Absences 

All absences require a written explanation from the parent/guardian within three (3) school days of returning from the absence. Written explanation of absences must include the student’s name, parent/guardian’s full name, date(s) of absence(s), and documentation of the reason for absence. Text messages or phone calls are not acceptable documentation for student absences. Please complete the ECMCS Attendance Notification Form for all absence documentation.  All documentation required by the school is subject to review and approval by the principal. Absences in excess of ten days per year will not be considered excused with a parent/guardian note unless they are accompanied by official medical or legal documentation.

Chronic Absenteeism

As defined by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), chronically absent students are those absent 10 percent or more school days during the school year. According to the OCR, an absent student is one who misses 50 percent of the instructional day for any reason and regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused. In other words, students who are absent for any reason - including suspension, illness, and death in the family - AND miss 10 percent or more of the school year will be considered chronically absent. Students in grades K-8 may not be eligible for promotion if they have more than ten (10) absences in one school year.