• Attendance Policy

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      THE NORTH CAROLINA COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW

       

      All children enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade are required to attend school on a regular basis. The parent, guardian, or custodian of a child shall notify the school of each known absence. The state identifies two types of absences: excused (lawful) and unexcused (unlawful).

       

      SCHOOL ATTENDANCE “Every Minute Counts…from Start to Finish…Class Time Matters”

      • Scholars are expected to to attend school daily.

      • Scholars are expected to report school and to every class on time.

      • Scholars may enter the building at 8:00 a.m.

      • Scholars who arrive after 8:30 a.m. by car should sign in at the Main Office. 

      • All written notes and doctor’s notes are to be taken to the Main Office at the beginning of the day.  Absences will only be excused for illness, injury, medical appointments, death of an immediate family member, court, educational field trip (with principal approval), or religious observation. If you are absent from school, you only have three days to bring in written documentation to code your absence as an excused absence.

      • Check-out policy with your parent or guardian: A valid photo ID must be presented to the office staff.  Only persons listed in Powerschool or on your contact card are authorized to check you out from school.  Notes or phone calls are not allowed.

       

      Attendance in school and participation in class are essential parts of a student’s academic achievement and the teaching-learning process. Regular attendance to school is mandatory and develops patterns of behavior essential to professional and personal success in life. All students are expected to attend school regularly and are expected to arrive on time. Daily attendance is directly linked to student achievement. Absenteeism critically impairs the ability to be successful in school. (Cumberland County Policy 4400)
      Parents or legal guardians have the responsibility for ensuring that students attend and remain at school daily. State law also prohibits any person from encouraging, enticing, or counseling a child to be unlawfully absent from school. To achieve an efficient and workable program regarding student attendance, the following procedures will be implemented:

      A. Once a student has arrived on campus during the school day, the student becomes the responsibility of the school.

      B. In order to participate in special school events, in athletic contests, cultural arts productions, etc., the student must be present for one-half of the school instructional day. Students absent on the day of school events will not be allowed to practice or participate in that activity. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or coach to be aware of the attendance of his/her students.

      C. School officials will keep records of attendance, check-ins, check-outs, and early dismissals. If a student is absent after the 3rd absence, the teacher will call the parent. When the student is absent 5 and 7 days, the parent will receive a letter in the mail related to the absences. When the student is absent 10 days, a referral will be made to the School Social Worker who will take appropriate action to include being dropped from the roll.

      D. Students who are excessively tardy to school or class may be subject to suspension for up to two days for such offense. Parents/Guardians shall be notified by administration regarding excessive absences and students may be subject to suspension for up to two days for truancy.

      E. All student absences will require a note from a parent/guardian, health care provider or court officer (if applicable) with the reason for the absence. Any extended absences will require satisfactory evidence of the excuse.

      F. Excessive absences may impact eligibility for participation in interscholastic athletics. (Cumberland County Policy 3260) 

      EXCUSED ABSENCES:

      1. personal illness or injury that makes the student physically unable to attend school

      2. isolation of the student as ordered by the local health officer or by the State Board of Health

      3. death in the immediate family, including, but not limited to, grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters

      4. medical or dental appointment

      5. participation as a party to an action or under subpoena as a witness in a court proceeding or administrative tribunal

      6. a minimum of two days each academic year for observance of an event required or suggested by the religion of the student or the student’s parent or legal guardian with written approval from the principal. The superintendent or designee may approve additional absences, provided they do not interfere with the education of the student. The student shall have the opportunity to make up any tests or other work missed due to the excused absence for a religious observance.

      7. participation in a valid educational opportunity, such as travel or service as a legislative or Governor’s page, with prior approval from the principal or designee and in accordance with any requirements established by the principal or superintendent

      8. absence due to pregnancy and related conditions or student parenting, when medically necessary.

      9. a minimum of two days each academic year for visitation with the student’s parent or legal guardian if the student is not identified as at risk of academic failure because of unexcused absences and the student’s parent or legal guardian

           (a) is an active duty member of the uniformed services as defined by policy 4050, Children of Military Families, and
           (b) has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting.

      In addition, a student whose parent or legal guardian

           (a) is an active duty member of the uniformed services as defined by policy (Cumberland County Policy 4050), Children of Military Families, and
           (b) has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting will be granted up to five additional excused absences upon approval by the superintendent or designee to visit with his or her parent or legal guardian.

       In the case of excused absences, short-term out-of-school suspensions, and absences for failure to submit a school health assessment form within 30 days of entering school, the student will be permitted to make up his or her work in accordance with policy. The student is responsible for finding out what assignments are due and arranging a time with the teacher to make up assignments missed during class time. Absences due to extended illnesses generally require a statement from a physician.

       

       UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:
      1. A student’s willful absence from school with or without the knowledge of the parent.
      2. A student’s absence from school for any reason other than those listed under “Excused Absences”.

       

      If you have any questions about attendance, please feel free to E-mail Mr. Khalil Shakeel, our School Social Worker or call 910.867.3116 ext. 740 and he will be happy to answer any questions.