Attendance
TCMS Attendance
brighton_tcmsattendance@bcsd.org (preferred) or 242-5100 x3520 (24-hour message center)
Note: x3520 is an automated message center. If it is an emergency and you need to speak to someone, please use extension 3521.
Every Day Counts at TCMS!
Attendance matters because learning, relationships, growth, and opportunities happen when students are present. Together, families and school staff can help ensure every student is connected, engaged, and ready to succeed each day.
At Twelve Corners Middle School, we believe that regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. Every school day provides opportunities for learning, relationship building, collaboration, and participation in our school community. When students attend school consistently, they are better positioned to achieve academic growth, develop positive habits, and feel connected to their peers and teachers.
At Twelve Corners, we also believe that regular attendance reflects our Brighton Believes qualities:
Responsibility
Showing up prepared to learn each day.
Respect
Valuing the learning community and the work of classmates and teachers.
Integrity
Following through on commitments and taking ownership of learning.
Self-Control
Developing routines and habits that support success.
Kindness
Being a reliable member of a team, classroom, and community.
Why Attendance Matters
Students learn best when they are present.
Even a few missed days can add up quickly. Students who miss school frequently lose valuable instructional time, classroom discussions, hands-on learning experiences, and opportunities to receive support from teachers. Missing 10% of the school year (about 18 days) is considered chronic absenteeism.
Attendance impacts achievement.
Research consistently shows a strong relationship between attendance and academic performance. Students who are chronically absent are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, are more likely to struggle academically, and are at greater risk of not graduating from high school.
Attendance supports social and emotional growth.
School is about more than academics. Regular attendance helps students build friendships, develop a sense of belonging, participate in extracurricular activities, and maintain positive connections with trusted adults in the building. Chronic absence can weaken these important connections.
Habits formed now matter later.
Positive attendance habits developed during middle school help students build responsibility, self-management, and preparation for high school, college, careers, and adulthood. Consistent attendance is a life skill that supports long-term success.
Missing just two days a month may not seem significant, but it can quickly add up to nearly a month of lost learning over the course of a school year.
| Absences | Impact |
|---|---|
| 2 days/month | Approximately 18 days/year |
| 18 days/year | 10% of the school year |
| 10% missed | Chronic absenteeism |
Helpful Links
- Is Your Child Missing School Due to Anxiety?
- Navigating Chronic Health Issues at School
- Keeping Your Child Healthy and In School
- When is too Sick for School?
Attendance at TCMS: What We Expect
We expect students to attend school every day unless they are ill or facing circumstances that prevent attendance. Arriving on time and remaining for the full school day are important parts of maintaining strong attendance.
School Start Time: Homeroom begins at 7:45. Students are expected to be in the building, have visited their lockers, and made their way to their homeroom by this time. First period begins at 7:55.
If a child will be arriving late, parents should notify the school by contacting brighton_tcmsattendance@bcsd.org or leaving a message on the 24-hour attendance line at (585) 242-5100 x3520. When the student arrives, they must sign in at Attendance before going to class.
When a child is going to be absent, contact brighton_tcmsattendance@bcsd.org or (585) 242-5100 x3520.
If a child needs to be picked up early, parents should come into the atrium to sign the child out at the Attendance office, and it is appreciated if you can call the Attendance Line at (585) 242-5100 x3520 to let us know in advance the time you will be coming.
We know that it is sometimes impossible to schedule doctor and dentist appointments outside of school hours, but there is some flexibility in choosing a suitable time. Recitals, parties, music lessons, dental appointments, etc., should be scheduled after school or on Saturday if at all possible. If this is not possible, you may be able to make appointments at times during the school day when a student would miss less work in basic skills than he would at other times. Checking with the teacher for information in this regard would be appreciated.
Determination of Excused and Unexcused Absences, Tardiness and Early Departures (BOE Policy 7110)
Based upon the Brighton Central School District's education and community needs, values and priorities, the School District has determined that absences, tardiness and early departures will be considered excused or unexcused according to the following standards:
a) Excused Absence: An excused absence is an absence, tardiness, or early departure due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, road tests, military obligations, or other such reasons as may be approved by the Board of Education.
b) Unexcused Absence: An unexcused absence is an absence, tardiness, or early departure which does not fall into the above categories (e.g., family vacation, babysitting, haircut, obtaining learner's permit, road test, oversleeping) or any absence for which a reason is not provided.
A written excuse, signed by a parent or person in parental relation, should be presented by the student when returning to school following each absence.