Reporting Absences? Please call your student's school to report a tardy or absence.

Regular and punctual school attendance is essential for success in school. Norfolk Public Schools does recognize that parent/guardians of children attending our schools have special rights as well as responsibilities, one of which is to ensure that their children attend school regularly, in accordance with state law.

Therefore, students may be excused temporarily from school attendance for the following reasons:

1. Illness or quarantine.
2. Bereavement or serious illness in family.
3. Weather so inclement as to endanger the health of the child.
4. For observance of major religious holidays.

A child may also be excused for other exceptional reasons with approval of the Principal or designee.

A student's understanding of the importance of day-to-day school work is an important factor in the shaping of his/her character. Parents can help their children by refusing to allow them to miss school unnecessarily.

The Norfolk School Committee considers the success of the education provided under its jurisdiction to be based in part upon the continuing participation of all students. Therefore, family trips or vacations taken during normal school times are not considered excused absences regardless of their educational value. The Committee directs the Superintendent to develop rules regarding makeup of school work and tests for students, faculty and staff consistent with the previous statement.

Parents/guardians will provide a written explanation for the absence and tardiness of a child. This will be required in advance for types of absences where advance notice is possible.

In instances of chronic or irregular absence reportedly due to illness, the school administration may request a physician's statement certifying the justification for such absences.

Student Absence Notification Program

In the event that a parent/guardian has not informed the school of a student’s absence, the principal or designee will contact the student’s parent/guardian within 3 days to notify them of the absence.

Each principal or designee shall meet with any student, and that student’s parent/guardian, who has missed five (5) or more unexcused school days (a school day shall be equal to two (2) or more class periods in the same day) in a school year.  The meeting shall be to develop action steps to improve student attendance and shall be developed jointly by the Principal or designee, the student, and the student’s parent/guardian.  The parties may seek input from other relevant school staff and/or officials from relevant public safety, health and human service, housing and non-profit agencies.