New York State education law requires that students attend school every day it is in session unless they are legally excused. The educational program offered by Williamsville schools is predicated on the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation.

Based upon our District's education and community needs, values and priorities, the District has determined that absences, tardiness and early departures will be considered excused or unexcused according to the following:

Excused: An absence, tardiness or early departure may be excused due to:

• Personal illness
• Illness or death in the family
• Impassable roads due to inclement weather
• Religious observance
• Participation in "Take Your Child to Work" day
• Quarantine
• Required court appearances
• Attendance at health clinics
• Approved college visits
• Approved cooperative work programs
• Military obligations
• Late bus
• School-sponsored field trips
• School endorsed but non-school sponsored activities with a bona fide educational purpose and a direct relationship to the student's current course schedule to include NYSBDA; NYSSMA; honor ensembles; state-level FBLA and DECA competitions and officer meetings; and sectional, regional, state and national athletic competitions for individual athletes
• Or other such reasons as may be approved by the Board of Education

Unexcused: An absence, tardiness, or early departure is considered unexcused if the reason for the lack of attendance does not fall into the above categories (Examples of unexcused absences include: family vacation, hunting, babysitting, hair cut, obtaining a learner's permit, road test, oversleeping, missed bus, and private instruction.)

Any absence from school requires a note from the parent or guardian as to the reason for the absence.