Attendance Policy
Tennessee law requires children ages 6 through 17 to attend school. School attendance is a critical component to ensure that a child is successful at school. When students attend school daily, they will have a better opportunity of having higher academic achievement and developing productive relationships at school. Our goal is for every student to have Satisfactory Attendance meaning that they attend 95% of all school days and have seven (7) or fewer total absences during the school year.
Absence Types
Students may be absent from school for excused reasons. These include:
- Student’s personal illness
- Family member’s illness that requires the student’s temporary help
- Death in the family (up to three days)
- Deployment of a parent or guardian serving in the military (one day for deployment, one day for return and up to 10 days when the service member is on temporary leave at home)
- Head lice (up to three days per infestation)
- Recognized religious holidays regularly observed by persons of the child’s faith
- Court appearance or legally mandated meetings
- A principal may allow the following circumstances to be considered an excused absence if the parent or guardian submits a written request:
- Unexpected emergencies such as car problems
- Job interview or conference
- Doctor or dental appointments
- Other circumstances requested in writing by the parent or guardian that the principal considers to require a child’s absence
Any other absence will be considered unexcused.
Up to five (5) days of absence is excusable each school year. Any absences beyond this number require a note from a medical doctor in order to be excused. If your child absent, please send a note to the school office within three (3) days of your child’s return to school or email a note to our Secretary Clerk, Teresa Leedham, explaining the reason and date(s) your child was absent.
Tardiness
Students who are tardy class or school more than three (3) times per semester will receive a behavior referral for repeated tardiness. An administrator will assign a response and communicate with the student and family.
Attendance Supports
The school will provide the following supports for when a student reaches the following cumulative absence days per school year:
- 3 unexcused absences: Attendance assessment phone call, text, email, or conference with student or parent.
- 5 unexcused absences: Student is considered Truant and will receive a Truancy Notification letter.
- 7 unexcused absences: An attendance plan will be developed in collaboration with student and family.
- 10 unexcused absences: School will submit a petition for attendance court. If a student has not attended school for 10 consecutive days without notifying the school, the student will be unenrolled.
Please contact Rebecca Wolfe, our school social worker, if you are experiencing any barriers to attendance. You can send an email or call 629-224-8334.
How Do We Celebrate Positive Attendance?
Students who have 95% or higher attendance rates each month are invited to a school-wide attendance incentive. These have included snack breaks, video game trucks, bouncy houses, and other fun activities, so come to school every day so you’re eligible!
How Can Families Help?
- Talk to your child about the importance of attendance.
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Prepare for school the night before, finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
- Avoid appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
- Develop back-up plans for attending school in case of unexpected events. Contact family members, friends, or other parents for help.
- Keep track of your child’s attendance through the Campus Portal.
- Talk to your child’s teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.