Missing a day of school here and there or arriving 10 minutes late may seem inconsequential, and at times even insignificant, but consider this: 

 

A student who is 10 minutes late every day will miss over 30 hours of instruction during the year — 1 week of school. A student who is absent just twice a month will miss 20 school days — 4 weeks of school! 

 

Each lateness or absence means a student has lost an opportunity to learn. Just as we can never regain a moment of time wasted, missing a day of school means missing a day of education that cannot be retrieved. Students may be able to make up an assignment, but they can never recover what is most important — the discussion, the questions, the explanations by the teacher and the thinking that makes learning come alive.

 

All school-age children in New York City are required to attend school on a full-time basis. Therefore, please be aware of the following:

 

• Students attending P.S. 116 are expected to maintain minimum standards of attendance and punctuality (95%).

• Students are expected to be on time and in school every day.

• In cases of illness or family emergencies, please contact team116@ps116.org or the attendance line at (212) 685-4366, ext. 1113.

• Vacations, trips, or other activities are considered unexcused and must be scheduled when school is not in session.

• Every effort must be made to schedule medical appointments after school hours so instructional time is not lost.

• Middle schools use attendance as one of their determining factors during the application process. Given equal ability and achievement, middle schools will accept the child with better attendance.

• Attendance is one of the determining factors when considering a student’s promotion to the next grade.

• Failure to maintain a 90% attendance and punctuality rate may result in your child’s transfer to his/her zoned school (if applicable).

 

Student success in school is directly related to the importance that parents attach to education. Regular attendance not only emphasizes the importance of school, but also promotes responsibility and self-discipline. Elementary students cannot develop these essential life skills without their family’s support.

 

The entire P.S. 116 staff thanks you for all of the effort you put into ensuring that your child is able to achieve all things possible!