At this early stage, we reach out to:
Notify families of the current attendance situation.
Our Response to Absences and Truancy
Regular school attendance is crucial for academic success. At Middletown Public Schools, we monitor attendance carefully and work with families to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive. Below are our attendance thresholds and corresponding actions.
Communication Timeline for Absences
All absences, whether they are excused or unexcused, receive the same initial responses. Truancy receives an additional set of responses (see below).
Three (3) Absences
in the school year
Six (6) Absences
in the school year
At this point, we take additional steps:
Schedule a meeting with parents/guardians and student
Create an attendance support plan
Identify specific barriers to attendance
Develop solutions together
Nine (9) Absences
in the school year
This is a critical threshold requiring immediate action:
Mandatory meeting with school administration
Review of attendance records
Evaluation of current support plan effectiveness
Connection with additional community resources
Implementation of intensive support measures
What is Chronic Absenteeism?
Missing just 10% of school days makes students "chronically absent." This might not sound like much, but it adds up quickly!
Here are some quick examples to show how it works:
After 20 days of school:
Missing 2 days = Chronically absent
After 50 days of school:
Missing 5 days = Chronically absent
After 100 days of school:
Missing 10 days = Chronically absent
We don't want our students to become chronically absent
Communication Timeline for Truancy:
What is Truancy?
By state law, a student is considered truant when they have:
Four (4) unexcused absences in a 30 day period, OR
Ten (10) unexcused absences in a school year
Important: Throughout this process, our primary goal is to support your child's success. All communications and meetings aim to understand challenges, provide assistance, and ensure your child has every opportunity to thrive academically and socially.
Four (4) Unexcused Absences
in a 30 day period
Family will receive a Truant Notification letter
School will request a meeting to create an attendance support plan
Discussion of barriers to attendance and potential solutions
Ten (10) Unexcused Absences
in a School Year
Family will receive a Truant Notification letter
Mandatory meeting to create/revise attendance support plan
Review of current interventions and additional support options
Twenty (20) Unexcused Absences
in a School Year
Family will receive a Habitual Truant notification
Mandatory attendance review meeting will be scheduled
Review of attendance requirements
Development of comprehensive attendance improvement plan
Connection with additional support services
Let's work together! Here's how to Contact Us:
If you're facing challenges with attendance and would like our support, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher, child's school counselor, or the school's main office to discuss.
Middletown High School: 860-704-4520 (school counseling office)
Beman Middle School: 860-347-8594 option 2 (school counseling office)
Elementary Schools: Click here to find elementary schools' phone numbers
These are some of the school and community resources available:
Transportation assistance
Before/after school care
Health services
Academic support
We're happy to work with you and we're looking forward to hearing from you!