To report an absence at F.A. Day Middle School, use the F.A. Day Middle School absence form linked from the school’s homepage at faday.newton.k12.ma.us, and submit it on the day your child is out. Newton Public Schools requires a parent or guardian to notify the school for every absence, no matter the reason.1Newton Public Schools. Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook 2025-2026 If the form gives you trouble, call the main office at 617-559-9100 during school hours (7:55 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with early release at 1:40 p.m. on Wednesday).
Finding and Filling Out the Form
Day Middle School’s homepage carries an “Absence Reporting” link that points to the current reporting tool.2Newton Public Schools. F.A. Day Middle School Home Other Newton schools have moved to Google Forms rather than phone calls for this, so expect a short online submission.3Newton Public Schools. Newton South High School – Absence Reporting Because the exact tool can change year to year, go to the school website and click the link fresh each time rather than bookmarking the form itself.
Have the following ready before you open the form:
- Your child’s full name and grade level
- The date (or dates) of the absence
- A brief reason for the absence
- A phone number where the school can reach you if staff need to follow up
If the online form won’t load or submit, the main office at 617-559-9100 will take the absence directly.
What Reasons Count as Excused
The reason you type into the form matters, because Newton Public Schools only treats specific categories as excused. The district’s 2025–2026 Rights and Responsibilities Handbook lists:1Newton Public Schools. Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook 2025-2026
- Illness or quarantine
- Bereavement or serious family illness
- Severe weather that would endanger your child during travel to school
- Religious or cultural holidays
- Other exceptional circumstances approved by the principal or a designee
Anything outside those categories will likely be marked unexcused. If your reason is unusual or borderline, call the main office before the absence and ask whether the principal will approve it, rather than hoping the form submission alone will do the work.
If Absences Start to Add Up
Reporting each absence promptly also protects your child from being flagged for chronic absence, which Newton defines as missing 10 percent or more of the school year — roughly 18 days on a 180-day calendar, or about two days a month. That count includes excused, unexcused, and disciplinary absences alike.4Newton Public Schools. Attendance Matters When staff see a pattern, they’ll reach out to build an attendance-improvement plan with your family.1Newton Public Schools. Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook 2025-2026
Habitual truancy is a stricter category: willfully skipping more than eight days in a quarter without a lawful excuse. Consequences can run from school-based interventions and parent conferences to referrals and, if the pattern continues, legal action.1Newton Public Schools. Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook 2025-2026 Massachusetts law stands behind all of this: Chapter 76 requires school attendance for every child between 6 and 16.5General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 76 – School Attendance
One boundary worth knowing: the absence form is for shorter absences. If your child will be out of Newton for an extended period, district policy is that the student is withdrawn and must re-enroll on return, and teachers are not expected to send work, materials, or virtual instruction during the time away.1Newton Public Schools. Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook 2025-2026 For any medical or family situation that will keep your child out for weeks, call the main office early so the school can work with you.