October 5th, 2023

Dear Parents, caregivers and students of EDSS

As we all know, attendance is a key factor for students to stay engaged in school and on track to graduate. In Ontario, school attendance is mandatory until the age of 18 and schools are responsible for maintaining accurate attendance records and to work with families to support their student’s attendance at school.

Therefore, it is important that the EDSS main office receives validation for any planned or unforeseen student absences in a timely fashion.  Ideally, validation should happen before 8 am on the day of the absence to indicate the reason for the absence. Guardians are asked to validate all legitimate absences using one of the following methods:

  1. Email:    eds-attendance@wrdsb.ca  (include caregiver/parent’s name, student’s name, dates of the absences to be validated, date of the note, a signature from the caregiver/parent, a contact  phone number for the caregiver/parent.   
  2. Phone:  Call in 519-669-5414 (and press 1 for attendance)
  3. Note:     Send a written note in with your student (including caregiver/parent’s name, student’s name, dates of the absences to be validated, date of the note, a signature from the caregiver/parent, a contact phone number for the caregiver/parent.   

 

  • If any student must leave the school before the end of the school day they are required to sign out in the main office, with the understanding their parents have already reached out to the school or can be reached for permission, and that the students are leaving the property for the rest of the day or if returning that they will sign in at the main office.
  • If a student has adult status (18 years or older) they are also required to validate their own absences and/or sign out in the main office.
  • Students who are missing a class are responsible for communicating with the classroom teacher about how they may keep up with their learning while absent.
  • Students with unvalidated absences should expect to be asked by their teachers to contact their parents to email or call the main office to validate their absence. In instances where a student has several unexplained unvalidate absences they may be referred to a VP who will work with the student and their family to confirm their attendance and/or absence reporting.
  • If a student believes their attendance was reported  in error they must first contact their teacher who will review their attendance and contact the attendance desk (eds-attendance@wrdsb.ca) to make any necessary corrections.
  • If a caregiver/parent has concerns or questions around their student’s attendance they are encouraged to contact the school to speak with an Administrator.

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