If your student is unable to attend school or will be tardy, please inform the office before 7:40 AM each day by calling the school at 874-8180 or using our attendance email at oaesattendance@portlandschools.org. It is important to use this email to ensure the message is received by the office and not just an individual staff person. Safety check calls will be made to parents/guardians, who have not contacted the office. Thank you for helping your child(ren) to come to school every day and on time. 

Regular and punctual school attendance is essential to a student’s educational success. Students are expected to attend school every day.  Excused absences are defined by Maine law and School Board policy as follows: 

• personal illness; 

• an appointment with a health professional that must be made during the school day;

• observance of a religious holiday; 

• a family emergency; 

• or a planned absence for a personal or educational purpose which has been approved in advance by the school. Pre-approved family vacations when school is in session are considered excused absences. It is important to be aware that such absences will make it difficult for students to master concepts taught and reinforced in the classroom program. Make-up assignments really cannot "replace" specific classroom instruction. Teachers are not required to give vacation homework or make-up assignments.

Other absences are considered unexcused. Maine Law requires that children attend school (20-A MRSA 5001- A). If your child misses school multiple times, please expect a phone call, email or letter from the school.  We hope to partner with you and support you in getting your child to school daily. In cases of excessive unexcused absences/truancy for which the parent is responsible, the school department may refer to the Department of Human Services and law enforcement.