IF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT:
- Send an excuse with your child to school on their first day back.
- Call the school if your child will be out more than two days
EXAMPLES OF EXCUSED ABSENCES ARE:
- Illness of a child
- Death in the family
- Religious holidays
EXAMPLES OF UNEXCUSED ABSENCES ARE:
- Family Vacations
- No excuse note sent to school from the parent
- Lack of transportation to get to school
PLEASE NOTE: NEW GEORGIA ATTENDANCE LAWS
- As of July 1, 2004, Georgia's Compulsory School Attendance Law became much stricter in regard to truancy. The new law states that more than five unexcused absences constitute truancy. The law also states that possible consequences for parents/guardians of students whose unexcused absences exceed five days may be:
- At least a $25 and not more than a $100 fine
- Up to thirty days of jail time
- Community service
- Any combination of these penalties
WHAT THE SCHOOL MAY DO:
- Each day that your child is absent from school you MAY receive a phone call from the school.
- At 2 unexcused absences, you MAY receive a letter from the school.
- At 4 unexcused absences, you MAY receive a letter from the school requesting that a family member schedule a meeting with school staff to resolve the absence status of the student.
- At 5 unexcused absences, you MAY receive a certified letter from the school with official notification that any further unexcused absences will result in charges being filed as required by state law and local protocols.
- The school will accept excuses from parents/guardians for 4 total days of absence each semester and will use the Georgia Board of Education Rules to determine whether the absence is excused or unexcused.
- If the student is out more than 2 consecutive days, a medical excuse will be required.
- 3 unexcused tardies, 3 unexcused checkouts, or any combinations of the two will count as one unexcused absence.
We are here to help your child have a successful school experience. If you have any questions about attendance please contact the school counselor.
