Absences, Tardiness, and School Closings

Students are expected to be at school from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm every day school is in session. While this is the goal, we also know that everyone gets sick or must miss a day or two for personal reasons. To this end, it is our professional responsibility to record accurate daily attendance for all students. 

The Connecticut state law requires parents/ guardians to be made aware of their legal obligation to ensure their child attends school. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Start building this habit in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Chronic absenteeism is an early indicator of future academic difficulty. Help us prepare your child for their bright future by getting them to school every day and on time!

Absences

If your child is going to be absent from school, please call the school by 10:00 am and leave a message on the attendance message line.

Parents/Guardians are requested to send a written excuse with the student upon return to school. The student should submit the excuse directly to the office. Parents should discuss with the administration any needed plans for learning during an extended absence. 

In order for a child to be considered "In Attendance" for the school day, they must be at school for more than 1/2 of the day (3.25 hours). Arrival after 12:45 pm is considered an absence. 

Tardy (arriving late)

If your child arrives at school after 9:45 am, then they are considered tardy; you will need to ring the bell and wait to be let into the building. Bring your student to the office and sign them in with the secretary. 

If your child is tardy more than 10 times during the school year, the principal, assistant principal, or designee will meet with you in order to work together to help you get your child to school on time. 

School Closings

When Waterford Public Schools are canceled, The Friendship School is also canceled. When Waterford Public Schools are delayed, The Friendship School will also follow the delay. In the case of inclement weather, please pay careful attention to local TV stations for updates about the schedule for The Friendship School. There is a special notification for "The Friendship School." We also post updates on our website and Facebook page, in addition to an automated call. 

When there is weather related school cancellation, as decided by each child's home district and TFS has school- an absence will not be accrued. In this case, please notify TFS of your child's absence. The child's absence will be considered: 'modified attendance'.