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About Our School
Our Mission
The Swanton School community believes that given enough
time and appropriate instruction students will achieve what
is considered necessary to learn.We recognize that students arrive at school with
differing backgrounds, influences and needs. We are committed
to the concepts of fairness and justice which reflect a concern
for each individual’s development, dignity and growth
potential. Approaches to discipline and social responsibility
in our school will promote behavioral changes that
empower students to understand their obligations to
others as members of a democratic society.
Regular school attendance is critical for student success. We want each student to benefit from the educational opportunities offered at school. We ask that students and parents make every effort to be at school on time each school day. Students who often arrive late or have an inconsistent pattern of attendance are missing critical opportunities for instruction and the opportunity to join in the routines and patterns of classroom life.
Vermont law requires schools to keep an accurate register of student attendance. Students who arrive at school after 8:00 a.m. will be noted as tardy in their student record, with the exception of late bus arrivals due to inclement weather. Students who leave prior to dismissal will be noted as having an early dismissal. Students who are not in school will be marked either absent excused or absent unexcused. Valid excuses for student absence are illness, observance of religious holidays, family emergency, or other circumstances as determined by the School Board.
If your child is going to be absent from school, please call before 9:30 a.m. to let us know. If we have not received notice from you by 9:30, we will call you either at home or work to ensure that your child is safe.
According to state law the Superintendent of Schools may excuse up to 10 days of absence. Parents or guardians seeking to have student absences excused for any reason (such as vacation) other than those listed above must make a written request to Superintendent McCarthy. Teachers are not required to prepare schoolwork in advance for students who are on family vacations during the school year. Students who miss instructional time may develop gaps in their learning which could impact their progress.
You will be contacted if your child is tardy or absent from school more than 5 days in any one trimester or more than 10 accumulated days in the school year. We will contact you regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. We will work with you and any necessary outside social service, health, or law enforcement partners to ensure your child is in school on time each day.
