South Carolina Law requires the regular attendance of all pupils. The School District of Greenville County has adopted uniform rules to assure that students attend school regularly. Students are counted present only when they are actually in school, on homebound instruction, or are present at an activity authorized by the school principal.

The school year consists of 180 days. To receive credit, students must attend at least 85 days of each 90-day semester course and at least 170 days of each 180-day year course, as well as meet all minimum requirements for each course. Accrued students absences may not exceed ten (10) days during the school year. Any absence in excess of ten (10) may cause the student to lose credit for the year.

Because 170 days are the minimum required by the state, the first ten (10) absences may be lawful, unlawful, or a combination. All absences beginning with the eleventh (11th) day must be lawful and will be excused if they fall within the following guidelines:

A. Lawful Absences

1. Personal illness of a child verified by a statement from a physician within two (2) days of the students' return to school. Absences for CHRONIC or EXTENDED illness will be approved only when verified by a physician's statement. (This includes doctor's appointments.)
2. Serious illness or death of an immediate family member verified by a statement from the parent within two (2) days of the student's return to school.
3. Absences for religious holidays when approved in advance. Such requests must be made to the principal in writing.
4. Absences for extreme hardships approved by the principal. Such approval should be prearranged when possible.

B. Unlawful Absences

Any student absence, with or without the knowledge of the parent, which does not meet the conditions for a lawful absence, shall be counted as unlawful and will not be excused.

Early Dismissals

The student who wishes an early dismissal will bring a note written and signed by the parent or guardian to the homeroom teacher. This note must include the following data: dates, name of student, time of dismissal, reason for dismissal, name of person picking up the student, telephone number where the parent can be reached for verification, and signature of the parent.

The parent or guardian will be required to come into the office and sign the dismissal form. If anyone other than the parent or guardian is to pick up the student, identification will be necessary before the student is permitted to leave. To avoid interruption of instruction, parents are requested to pick up children for early dismissal by 2:30 p.m. Please plan accordingly.

Make-up Work

1. All students with excused absences may make up work. It is the student's responsibility to arrange, with his/her teacher(s), at the earliest time possible, but should not exceed five (5) school days after the student returns to school. If a test or other project has been previously announced before the student's absence, the student should be prepared to complete the assignment on his/her return to school.
2. Make-up of school work missed during unexcused absences may be approved only with the permission of the principal, after he/she consults with the teacher(s) concerned. 3. Parents of a student who is ill and will be absent from school three
3. or more consecutive days may request assignments by contacting the guidance office (355-2114). Parents should call the guidance office between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. to request class assignments. Parents may pick up these assignments after 3:15 p.m. in the main office. When a student returns to school, his/her homeroom teacher will provide an admittance note to class.

Tardy Policy to School and/or Class

4th tardy equals ISS during lunch/courtyard time.

Cutting

Students may not be absent from any class without the permission of the teacher for that period. Students who miss a class without teacher permission are considered to be cutting class. Students who cut school or who leave the school are also cutting. Chronic truants will be reported to the proper authorities and may be subject to legal action.