ABSENCES

The state requires students to attend 170 of the 180-day school year; therefore students are only allowed to miss 10 school days per academic year

Parent Notes

• 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’s statement/medical note.

• A parent must submit a note for every absence or it will automatically be coded unexcused. Any student who misses school must present a written excuse signed by his or her parent or legal guardian, or a health care professional, for all absences, within two (2) days of the student’s return to school.

• Parent notes should include the student's legal first & last name, dates missed, and the reason for the absence.

• If a student fails to bring a valid written excuse to school, his or her absence will be recorded as unlawful.

Lawful Absences

• Absences caused by a student's illness and whose attendance in school would endanger his or her health or the health of others. These absences must be verified by a physician statement within two (2) days of the student's return to school.

• Absences due to an illness or death in the student's immediate family verified by a statement from the parent within two (2) days of the student's return to school.

Unlawful Absences

• Absences of a student without the knowledge of his or her parents.

• Absences of a student without acceptable cause with the knowledge of his or her parents.

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 (3) consecutive unlawful absences or a total of five (5) unlawful absences.

Tardiness

• Punctuality is one of the most important skills that a person can learn. It is a skill that directly correlates to an individual’s success in the business world. Parents should have students at school on time each day.

• Students are expected to be in their individual classes on time. Late arrival (tardiness) results in interruptions to the learning process – not only for the tardy student but for the other students in the class as well. Additionally, the tardy student misses important instruction. Each school has guidelines for the disciplinary consequences for tardiness.