All doctor’s notes should be faxed to 423-354-1406 or emailed to vinette.christian@sullivank12.net.

ATTENDANCE POLICY-GRADES 9-12

UNDER TENNESSEE LAW, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT

A.  Attendance:  Students are required to attend school between the ages of six (6) and seventeen (17), both inclusive unless withdrawn in accordance with legal requirements (T.C.A. 49-6-3001). Students must be in class 3 hours and 31 minutes in order to be counted present for the day. 

Student attendance codes, in the student information system, are not to be changed without the approval of the administration. 

B.  Enrollment: School system rules and procedures prohibit the enrollment of any child in the Sullivan County Schools unless the student is living with a parent/legal guardian who resides in the area served by the Sullivan County School System.  Students are required to attend the school in the school zone in which they reside, unless they are approved for enrollment as an out-of-zone student in accordance with school board policies and procedures.

1.  Proof of residence:  The parent/guardian of every student will be required to provide proof of residency, such as, lease, real estate tax receipt, mortgage information, utility receipts, or the like. Residence may also be randomly from time to time, and students improperly attending out of zone may be required to return to their proper school.

2.  Proof of Custody

a. Custody Issues:  Only the residence of the parent with legal custody may be used for registration and attendance purposes. (T.C.A. 49-6-3103)  In cases where parents have joint custody, only the address of the parent named as the primary custodian or designated as having primary responsibility to determine educational issues may be used for registration and attendance purposes.

b. Power of Attorney for Child Care (T.C.A. 34-6-302):  Parents of a minor child may delegate to any adult person in this state temporary caregiving authority when hardship prevents the parent (s) from caring for the child.

Hardships are identified by law, as follows:

i. The serious illness or incarceration of a parent or guardian;

ii. The physical or mental condition of the parent or legal guardian is such that care and supervision cannot be provided:

  iii. The loss or un-inhabitability of the child’s home as the result of a natural disaster.

When one of the above hardships is applicable, the custodial parent (s) and the caregiver must make an appointment to meet with the principal of the school in the school zone of the caregiver and present the properly completed power of attorney, in order to make arrangements for school attendance.  Circumstances not listed above and identified by law as allowable hardships, should be referred to the appropriate court for change of custody.

3.  Educational Documentation - Academic record, Attendance record, Discipline record, and Immunization record.

4.  Homeless Students– Homeless students may be subject to certain federal requirements.  Parents/Guardians should check with the school regarding attendance.

C.  Required Documentation for Excused Absence:

Students in the following categories will be excused temporarily from school attendance:

   1. Personal illness 

a.   Doctor’s excuse (should be provided to the school on the first day back at school and must be provided within one week of the date that the student returns to school).

b.  Parent/Guardian note (2 days excused per term/semester) Parent notes should be submitted to the school on the first day the student returns to school. Schools may call to add parent notes if students do not submit notes in a timely manner.

   2. Serious illness in the immediate family (Verification may be required)

   3. Death in the immediate family

   4. Regularly observed religious holidays

   5. Medical and dental appointments with a note from doctor/dentist

   6. Required court appearance (Documentation required)

7. Circumstances, which in the judgment of the principal create justifiable absences over which the student has no control.

After the student has been absent several days with an excuse from a physician, the principal may require a statement from the physician indicating the student’s continued need to be absent from school. A parent must arrange for a conference with the school administration to possibly negate these rules.

It shall be a separate offense under this school system’s discipline policy to forge or alter a doctor’s excuse or written statement from any health provider. Students may be subject to disciplinary action.  

Students attending a doctor’s appointment during school hours are expected to return to school as soon as possible as stated by the doctor’s excuse.  Time/Days taken in addition to what is covered by the doctor’s excuse will have to be covered by parent notes or an additional doctor’s excuse.

Upon reaching 3 unexcused absences a truancy contract and intervention plan will be created between the school and the parent/guardian.  Continued unexcused absences will result in a referral to Truancy Board, Department of Children’s Services and/or Juvenile Court.

Make-Up Work for Absences:

Students are granted the opportunity to make up school work missed due to any absence, including unexcused absences and/or suspensions.  However, for students making up work for unexcused absences and/or suspensions, the highest score they may receive for the work is 80% of a perfect score.  For all students making up work missed due to absences, whether excused, unexcused or

suspension, the following conditions must be met:

a.  It is the student’s responsibility to initiate arrangements for making up work.

b   A student will complete written make-up work within a time period equal to the number of days missed unless an extension is granted by the teacher.  

c.  If make-up tests, quizzes, etc. are scheduled at other than normal student school hours, the student must be notified at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance.

d.  If a student and/or parent refuses the opportunity to serve ISS/OSS, the student forfeits the opportunity to make up work for the days of out-of- school suspension. 

School Functions:

a. School functions will not count as an absence from school.

b. School functions must be approved by school administrators prior to the activity designated as a school function.