From Superintendent Rich – A New District-Wide Approach to Combat Chronic Absenteeism

Dear Central Valley Families,

As we prepare to begin a new school year, I want to take a moment to talk about an issue that is affecting schools across the nation and that topic is chronic absenteeism.

When a student misses more than 18 days of school per year, they are considered chronically absent according to the NYS Education Department. That may not sound like a lot, but it breaks down to just two days a month, and the effects on learning, connection, and future success are significant. In addition, Chronic lateness is equally concerning. Being late repeatedly not only disrupts a student’s learning but also affects the classroom as a whole.

This year, Central Valley is launching a K-12 attendance initiative with the goal of educating families and students on what chronic absenteeism is, why it matters, and how we will work together to improve it.

Why Attendance Matters

Students who attend school regularly are more likely to:

• Stay on track academically
• Build strong peer and teacher relationships
• Feel more connected to school life
• Graduate on time and succeed beyond school

Good attendance sets the foundation for long-term success and as a district; we are committed to doing everything we can to support students and families in making this a priority.

Our Approach 

We understand that change doesn’t happen overnight. This will be an ongoing, multi-year effort that builds with time. While this initiative starts now, we will continue to add layers each year. This is not just a Central Valley issue; it is one that schools everywhere are facing. Together, we can begin to change the culture around attendance.

This year’s steps include:

Elementary Level (PreK–8) 

• Positive incentives for strong attendance: Students at these levels respond well to rewards, and we plan to celebrate good attendance with engaging, age-appropriate incentives.
• High-interest electives and activities will continue to be expanded to make school more engaging and something students look forward to each day.

High School Level 

• Start Time Accountability: Students must be in the building before 7:30 AM. We have observed a growing trend of students arriving late because of long lines at their favorite coffee shop. Starting this year, students may not bring purchased morning drinks and food (coffees, teas, frozen drinks, sandwiches, donuts, etc.) into the school after 7:30 AM. Students who arrive early (doors open at 7:00 AM) may still bring them.
• Tied to Participation: Attendance and punctuality will be directly connected to participation in extracurricular activities:
  • If a student is late without an excused reason, they may not participate in or attend any club, sport, or arts related activity that day.
  • Students who exceed five unexcused absences, five unexcused lates, or a combination totaling more than five in a quarter may be withheld from school events, including dances, trips, proms, and senior events. This resets at the beginning of each quarter.

BOCES & CTE Students 

• Students attending BOCES CTE or ReadiTech programs must understand that more than 20 absences will result in loss of credit, which could affect graduation and certification progress. In addition, the student will no longer be able to attend BOCES, will return to CVA, and will be enrolled in regular classes.

Throughout the school year:

• Attendance letters will be sent home regularly to keep families informed about their child’s attendance and lateness totals.
• I will be sending ongoing communication via newsletters, emails, and district updates via Parent Square messages to reinforce the importance of being in school on time, every day.

We recognize that every family’s situation is unique, and we are here to support you. This is not about punishment; it is about raising awareness, setting expectations, and working together to help our students succeed. We will not solve this issue in one year, but we are committed to addressing it year after year, piece by piece.

Let us work together to build a culture where school attendance is valued, supported, and celebrated.

Thank you for your partnership,

Jeremy M. Rich
Superintendent
Central Valley School District