Attendance

There is a direct relationship between school attendance and learning progress. It is very important that each student attends school on a regular basis. Attendance is examined on a weekly basis. There is a process the school will take to ensure each student is at school regularly. School personnel will be in contact with the parents to discuss absences. 

Each time a student is absent she/he must return to school with a note indicating the cause of the absence. We are required to indicate whether absences are "excused" or "unexcused". When a note is not received, the absence will be considered ―unexcused.  Notes must be submitted to the attendance within 1 week of the absence.  A student who accumulates more than 10 unexcused absences will not receive credit for the class.  A student must be present in a class at least 75 minutes to be counted present for the class (This applies to coming in late as well as leaving early).

The valid/lawful excuses for temporary non-attendance of a student at school are as follows:

1. Illness or Injury: when the absence results from illness or injury that prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.

2. Death in the Immediate Family: when the absence results from the death of a member of the immediate family of the student. For the purpose of this regulation, the immediate family of a student includes, but is not necessarily limited to, grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters.

3. Medical or Dental Appointments: when the absence results from a medical or dental appointment of a student.

4. Court or Administrative Proceedings: when the absence results from the attendance of a student at the proceedings of a court or an administrative tribunal, if the student is a party to the action or under subpoena as a witness.

5. Religious Observance: when the absence results from attendance at a religious observance or service where the tenets of a religion to which the student or his/her parent(s) adhere require or suggest such attendance.

6. Deployment Activities: when the absence results from the student’s attendance at official deployment ceremonies or activities when the student’s parent is a deploying member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

7. Educational Opportunity: when the absence results from a demonstrated purpose of taking advantage of a valid educational opportunity, such as travel. Approval for such an absence must be granted prior to the absence. (16 NCAC 2D.0404)

8. Short Term Suspensions: when the absence results from the student’s suspension for ten days or less.

Check-In Procedure

Students coming to school after designated school opening time should bring a note from their parents explaining the reason for the late arrival and must check in at the Attendance Office. A pass will be issued from attendance signed by Data Mgr./person checking students in to report to class. The student must present the slip to the teacher whose class he/she enters. Failure to check in to the Attendance Office will be considered skipping.

Students arriving on late buses must sign in through the Bus Driver. Students will be issued a tardy pass to be admitted to class/or an announcement will be made to admit. If a student arriving late on a bus was absent from the previous day(s), he/she may turn in the note to the Attendance Office at this time.

Students who choose to drive private vehicles to school are charged with the responsibility of being punctual and arriving at school on time. Tardiness as a result of problems involving a private vehicle will be unexcused.

Students who are coming from off-campus classes or do not have an assigned class on campus are to come in the front door and check-in with the attendance office. Students who are leaving campus for off-campus classes or do not have an assigned class are to check-out with the attendance office and leave through the front door. 

Early Dismissal

When a student plans to leave school before the scheduled dismissal time, the student must bring a note from his/her parents in order to leave early and must present the note to the Data Manager in the Attendance Office before the designated school opening. Students will be issued an “Early Dismissal Pass”. Parents will be called to confirm the student is leaving.  At the time of the student’s departure, he/she must sign out in the Attendance Office. Parents will not be able to call the main office and check their student out for early dismissal over the phone.  

Notes for early dismissal and absences MUST contain the following information:

1. First and last name of the student

2. Dates of the absence/date of early dismissal

3. Parents first and last name and signature

4. Phone number where signing parent may be contacted

5. Grade level of student

6. The date the note is submitted

7. Name of teacher for the period the student will be signing out

A STUDENT MUST BE PRESENT FOR 75 MINUTES TO BE COUNTED PRESENT FOR THAT CLASS. A student is considered skipping if he/she does not sign out or sign in.

Late to Class Arrival

Students who arrive to class after the tardy bell are considered tardy and will be assigned a tardy within the administrative system. No tardy notes from teachers will be accepted by the classroom teacher.  

• 1st Tardy - Automated call home

• 2nd Tardy - Automated call home

• 3rd Tardy - Letter and lunch detention on Tuesday or Wednesday

• 4th Tardy - Letter and lunch detention on Tuesday or Wednesday

• 5th Tardy - Meeting with administration and parent call

• 6th Tardy - Project Equal: If a student does not attend they will receive ISS

• 7th Tardy - Project Equal: If a student does not attend they will receive ISS

• 8th Tardy - Parent Conference with Admin - if parent does not attend conference, will convert to OSS

• 9th Tardy - ISS and counselor referral with PST - if student does not attend, will convert to OSS

• 10th Tardy - ISS - if student does not attend, will convert to OSS

• 11th > Tardy(s): OSS 1 day

Late to School Arrival

All students that come in late must sign in with attendance as tardy, they need to put in the proper reason ex: Doctor/Dentist, court, (proper paperwork or notes to be given to Data Mgr. late buses announced over the intercom system) are all acceptable reasons for being late. If you are just late ex: overslept, that is tardy and is not excused.

1. Sign in at Attendance Office

2. Have Doctor/Dentist notes or Court Subpoenas upon coming to school (will report to class w/tardy note) exception late bus will be announced to let into class

3. If a student has a note from the administration or front office, they will not be considered tardy. 

4. All students tardy to class will be reported tardy in PowerSchools.

Make-up Attendance

Students who have missed 10 or more absences will not receive credit for the course.  Students may take advantage of making-up absences by attending make-up sessions.  Students are required to sign-up for these sessions in the Student Services department.  The makeup sessions will be held:

• 1st 6 weeks 10/4, 10/5, 10/6, 10/9

• 2nd 6 weeks 11/16, 11/17, 11/20, 11/21

• 3rd 6 weeks 1/17, 1/18, 1/19, 1/22

• 4th 6 weeks 3/1, 3/4, 3/5, 3/6

• 5th 6 weeks 4/22, 4/23, 4/24, 4/25

• 6th 6 weeks 6/4, 6/5, 6/6, 6/7

Sickness Dismissal

A student is considered skipping if he/she does not sign-in or sign-out. A student who is sick will not be allowed to leave school until we contact his/her parents and permission is given for the student to leave school. Once parent permission is received by a school official, the student must check out through the Attendance Office before leaving school.

Withdrawal Procedures    

A student planning to withdraw from school should notify the Student Services Office of his/her intentions two or three days in advance. All fees should be paid and all books including library books should be turned in.  A parent should come to the school to complete all withdrawal paperwork on the student’s  last day of attendance.