Salem Schools To Crack Down On Chronic Absences

SALEM, MA — After more than two years of remote learning, hybrid learning and high absenteeism that could be attributed — at least, in part — to the COVID-19 health crisis, Salem school officials are looking to keep students in the classroom as much as possible this school year.

That not only means mitigating any recurrent coronavirus issues but also cutting down on the tardiness and chronic absenteeism that was a concern in Salem Public Schools even before the pandemic.

"As we close the second week of school, I want to reiterate how important it is that students attend school every day and on time so that we maximize learning time with them," Superintendent Steve Zrike said. "Although we recognize that illness and emergency may cause a student to be absent periodically, we hope these situations are more limited in the upcoming school year."

Salem Public Schools ranked below the state average in the percentage of days that students are in proper attendance for the past three years, according to the latest state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education report card. To be in attendance, students must be taught for at least half the school day.

The DESE report card said that in 2021 an average of 93.7 percent of students across the state were present in school on a daily basis, compared to 89.9 percent in Salem. The gap was slightly larger than it was pre-pandemic when 94.6 percent of students were in school on a daily average statewide in 2019, with Salem coming in at 91.9 percent.

"Absences and tardies negatively affect your child’s academic performance, as well as their ability to make positive connections with peers and school staff," Zrike said. "A chronically absent student — missing more than 18 or more school days in a year — is much less likely to be on grade level and thus significantly more likely to drop out or not graduate from high school in four years."

Salem families were advised before the start of this school year that COVID-related absences are now considered like any other excused absence from school. There are no longer any special remote instruction opportunities for a student who is out with a coronavirus-related infection, and students are encouraged to return to school after the five-day isolation period as long as symptoms have improved.

Zrike's weekly newsletter to the school community reminded families that any planned absences should be communicated to the school in advance and documentation of an excused absence should be presented to the school within three days of the absence.

Students who have routine medical and dental appointments within Essex County are expected to be in school before the appointment and return to school after the appointment if time allows.

"We want your children in school for as much time as possible," Zrike said.

Zrike reminded parents to reserve excused absences for "emergencies and extraordinary circumstances" and that family vacations are not considered "excused."

"If your family and child face specific attendance challenges, our staff is available to partner with you to find appropriate support," Zrike said. "We know that attendance issues can stem from anxiety, concerns with bullying, transportation issues and/or previous trauma.

"We stand ready to work alongside you to ensure your child's success in school this year."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)