Truancy

School attendance is crucial to the educational success of Trumbull students. Students who miss school regularly (as defined by the Trumbull Public Schools Attendance Policy) are referred to the Mary J. Sherlach Counseling Center. The Diversionary Services Coordinator works with families and schools to develop a plan for successful school attendance, as well as connects families with services that can help them meet their goals.

The school-attendance policy states that for absences one (1) through nine (9) in a school year, a student’s absences from school are considered excused when the student’s parent/guardian approves such absence and submits appropriate documentation.  A student’s absence from school shall be considered “excused” if written documentation of the reason for the absence has been submitted within ten (10) school days of the student’s return to school. 

For the tenth (10th) absence and all absences thereafter in a school year, a student’s absences from school are considered excused for the following reasons: student illness if verified by an appropriately licensed medical professional; student’s observance of a religious holiday; death in the student’s family or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family; to attend to a student’s emotional and psychological well-being in lieu of attending school (two nonconsecutive days may be taken for this reason); mandated court appearance if supported by appropriate additional documentation; the lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends; or extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by District administrators in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education guidelines.

For more information about truancy referrals, please contact the Diversionary Services Coordinator, Melissa Roberto at 203-452-5193.