General Attendance Information

Henry H. Wells Middle School is in session from 7:36 a.m. until 2:36 p.m. When a parent/guardian finds it necessary to bring their child to school, students are to be dropped off and enter the building using the Farm-To-Market Road entrance. This entrance is locked at 7:33 a.m. All students arriving after 7:33 a.m. will need to use the main entrance and report immediately to the attendance office.

Students must be in school five full periods in order for the day to be counted as a full day. If students are in school less than five periods or are absent, they will not be permitted to participate in any after school activity or athletic event.

Class participation is included as part of our grading criteria.  Excessive absenteeism can have an adverse effect upon academic achievement. Consistent attendance is the heart of education. Please sign a student out for only important reasons. Understand that while he/she is out of school, classroom instruction continues.

Attendance Guidelines

If a student is absent from school, the parent/guardian must call the school’s attendance office, 845-279-3702 extension 2116, to advise of their child’s absence. The New York State Education Department requires schools to produce bi-quarterly report of unexcused absence and tardiness.  All children between 7 and 16 years of age must attend school the entire time the school is in session, unless:

• He/she is physically or mentally incompetent.
• He/she has completed a four-year high school course of study.

The Commissioner of Education of New York State has defined the following as reasons for legal absences: personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads or weather, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics, disciplinary detention or an incarcerated youth, or for such other reasons as approved by the Commissioner.

The consent of the parent/guardian to the absence of the student has no effect upon the lawful dominion of the state in regard to attendance.

Written Excuses

Students are expected to bring a note from their parent/guardian upon their return to school.

The following information should be included:

• Dates of absences
• Reason for absences
• Parent/Guardian signature
• Parent/Guardian phone number

A doctor’s note may be required for students absent five or more days due to illness.