Attendance Contact:

Christy Dean (864) 355-7815          cdean@greenville.k12.sc.us

No Early Dismissals will be processed after 10:00am on the Google Form. Parent cannot pick up students for an early dismissal after 3:00pm

 Click here for Greenville County Schools Attendance policies

Parent of Medical Notes:

1.)   Submit a Parent or Medical Note for your student’s absence(s) via Google Form on the Riverside High School Website.   Please understand that not all Parent Notes are excused absences.  

Early Dismissals

                2.) Submit an early dismissal via Google Form.

Attendance Law

In accordance with the South Carolina School Attendance Law, The School District of Greenville County has adopted uniform rules to assure students attend school regularly. Each day that students are not in school, they miss hours of valuable instruction and opportunities for learning they will not have again. Students are responsible for tracking their attendance in order to ensure they receive credit for all of their courses. There is no guarantee of Seat Time Recovery so students should strive to be in each class on time. Students are counted present only when they are actually in classes at least one-half of the class period, are on homebound instruction, or are present at an activity authorized by the school principal. The official record of attendance in class will be recorded by the teacher. The school year consists of two 90-day semesters. To receive credit in 90-day semester courses, students must attend at least 85 days of each 90-day semester course as well as meet all of the minimum requirements for each course. ANY UNEXCUSED ABSENCE IN EXCESS OF FIVE DAYS MAY CAUSE THE STUDENT TO LOSE CREDIT FOR THE COURSE.

For a 180-day course, the student must attend at least 170 days of each school year to receive credit as well as meet all of the minimum requirements for each course. ANY UNEXCUSED ABSENCE IN EXCESS OF TEN DAYS MAY CAUSE THE STUDENT TO LOSE CREDIT FOR THE COURSE.

Lawful absences include but are not limited to:

• absences caused by a student's own illness and whose attendance in school would endanger his or her health or the health of others

• absences due to an illness or death in the student's immediate family

• absences due to a recognized religious holiday of the student's faith

• absences due to activities that are approved in advance by the principal

Truancy

Although the state requires students to only attend 170 of the 180-day school year, parents and students should be aware that SC Code of Regulations - Chapter 43-274 stipulates that a child ages 6 to 17 years is considered truant when the child has three consecutive unlawful absences or a total of five unlawful absences. For purposes of this section (truancy and compulsory attendance), a parent may provide up to 10 parent notes excusing a student illness or an absence related to an immediate family member’s illness or death.  However, in order for any subsequent absence related to an illness to be lawful it must be supported by a physician statement/medical note.  

College Visits

Juniors and seniors are allowed three (3) days for college visits/interviews during the year. These absences will count towards the 10 or 5 day limit. Arrangements for these absences must be made with the Attendance Office at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date of absence.

ALL COLLEGE VISITS WILL BE USED PRIOR MARCH 31, 2023

The following steps must be taken:

a. Prior arrangements/appointment for the visit should be made with the college.

b. Requests for approval of absences for college visitation must be submitted to the Attendance Office in writing by a parent/guardian at least 24 hours prior to the date of the scheduled visit.

c. The note should include: (1.) student’s name 21 (2.) reason for absence (3.) date of visit (4.) name of college

d. While at the college, request written verification that you had an official college visit on said date. Bring that note to the Attendance Office upon your return to school to receive an admit slip to class and to be excused to make up work.

Any absences taken for college visits/interviews that exceed the limit and/or do not comply with all of the above steps will be considered unlawful absences.