Attendance
Dear Parents,
Regular attendance in
school is essential. Each day that students are not in school they miss valuable
instruction and opportunities for learning. Beginning this year the state of
South Carolina is initiating a new truancy policy. Once a student has
accumulated three consecutive unexcused absences or a total of five unexcused
absences the student will be considered truant. A Disciplinary Referral form
will be completed and given to the school administration requiring parents to
come to the school for an intervention conference. During this meeting, the
principal or assistant principal will meet with the parents or guardians and
together will develop a plan to improve the student’s attendance.
Because truancy is a new
disciplinary classification, any student who accumulates three consecutive
unexcused absences or a total of five unexcused absences will have the
aforementioned referral entered into a data-tracking computer system which, left
unaddressed, could possibly lead to a court referral for educational neglect. To
assist you in managing your student’s absences, attendance rules are listed
below.
ATTENDANCE RULES
Parents have the legal
responsibility of sending their children to school. 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. Any absence that is not
verified by a parent or physician note is considered unexcused and will
contribute to a truancy charge. Family vacations with or without a note from a
parent are considered unexcused absences.
A.
The
school year consists of 180 school days. To receive credit, students must attend
at least 170 days of each 180-day year, as well as meet all minimum requirements
for each course. A student may not be absent more than 10 days during the
school year. Any absence over 10 may cause the student to lose credit for the
year.
B.
Because
170 days are the minimum required by the state, the first 10 absences may be
lawful, unlawful or a combination. All absences beginning with the 11th
must be lawful and will be excused if they fall within the
following guidelines:
1.
Personal
illness (including doctor’s appointments) of a child verified by a doctor’s note
within 2 days of their return to school. Absences for chronic or
extended illness will be approved only when verified by a doctor’s
note.
2.
Serious
illness or death of an immediate family member verified by a note from the
parent within 2 days of their 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.
C.
Any
student absence, with or without knowledge of the parent, which does not meet
conditions for a lawful absence shall be counted as unlawful and will not be
excused.
If you have any questions
regarding attendance regulations or the new truancy policy, please do not
hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Lee Givins
Principal
