School Information
School Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 8:30am-3:20pm
Wednesday: 8:30am-2:00pm
Lunch & Recess Times
Kindergarten lunch is from 12:20 - 12:50 and recess is from 2:05 - 2:35, Wednesdays from 1:00-1:30.
Grade 1 lunch is from 11:15-1:45 and recess is from 10:30 - 11:00.
Grade 2 lunch is from 11:40-12:10 and recess is from 10:00 - 10:30.
Grade 3 lunch is from 12:55 -1:25 and recess is from 12:25 - 12:55.
Grade 4 lunch is from 10:55-11:25 and recess is from 11:25 - 11:55.
Grade 5 lunch is from 1:05-1:35 and recess is from 1:35-2:05, Wednesdays from 11:55-12:25.
Attendance Reporting
If your student will be absent from school, tardy, or will need to be dismissed early, please report it to the school office by calling 860-521-0110 (option 1 outside of business hours) or by emailing duffyattendance@whps.org. Please be specific about the reason.
Excused vs. Unexcused Absences
Regular attendance is essential for gaining the academic and social skills students need to thrive. Therefore, while absences 1 through 9 will be excused for whatever reason the parent/caregiver provides, absences greater than 9 will be unexcused unless written documentation of the reason for the absence is submitted within ten school days of the student’s return to school AND the reason is one of the following (from page 23 of the Elementary Handbook for 2023-2024):
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Student illness (Note: all student illness absences must be verified by an appropriately licensed medical professional to be deemed excused, regardless of the length of absence);
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Student’s observance of a religious holiday;
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Death in the student’s family or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family;
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Mandated court appearances (additional documentation is required);
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Lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends; or
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Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by district administrators and in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education guidance.
Whether excused or unexcused, chronic absences - as well as chronic tardiness and early dismissals - will be addressed by the principal.
Attendance FAQs
When is a student considered late?
Doors open for entry at 8:30 am. Students who arrive after 8:35 am are considered tardy and must sign in at the main office before going to class.
How much of a school day must my student attend in order to get credit for it?
A student must be present for at least half of a school day to be considered in attendance; students present for less than half a school day will be marked absent for the day. In general, this means that a student must arrive by or leave at or after 12:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 11:15 am on Wednesdays.
If my child will be picked up prior to dismissal, can they come outside and meet me at the car?
When leaving school early, children must be signed out by an authorized adult in the office. No student may leave the building unescorted during the school day.
Cell Phones & Watches
If a student brings a cellphone to school, it must be turned off and stored in backpacks during school hours. This policy is also in effect during after school activities, field trips, and while riding the bus, extending to the time students arrive home.
Many students are coming to school with a watch/Fitbit. Some just tell time, some tell time and track steps, and some have cell phone capability. Students may not use a watch to call, text, take photos, or play games during the day. All technology guidelines apply. Minimizing disruption to learning and ensuring student safety are our number one priorities. We ask that parents refrain from sending their children text messages during the day, especially regarding dismissal changes. All same day dismissal changes should be called in to the school office, where this information can then be shared with students and teachers. Teachers will only make dismissal changes upon parent notification.