Georgia law requires that every parent/guardian having charge of a child age six to sixteen shall send that child to school for the entire school year and the child’s attendance shall be continuous and consecutive. Parents/guardians who violate the School Compulsory Law are subject to court action, which can result in a fine, imprisonment, or both. The administrative support staff will address all attendance issues, along with the school social worker. The administrator will become involved when there is a pattern of violations.

Attendance is taken each period of the day. Students missing 20 minutes of any class will be documented as having an unexcused absence, unless a parent calls or signs the student in during the first 10 minutes of the class with a valid excuse.

If a student has scheduled a health or similar appointment during class hours, parents must notify the administrative office with a doctor’s excuse by the next day to avoid an unexcused absence. You are encouraged to schedule appointments for your child outside of regular school hours whenever possible.

If a student has an emergency appointment, he/she must verify it with an official written excuse from a parent/guardian when he/she returns to school.

If a student is absent three or more days due to illness, he/she must have a written physician/nurse excuse upon returning.

If a student is absent for an extended period of time (death in the family, etc.) a written note to the school administrator is required before he/she is permitted to resume classes.

The student’s attendance may impact the student’s grade. Students may have nine (9) absences per class period each semester, for emergency use, without penalty. A student having ten (10) class periods absences within a semester will not receive a letter grade for that class period. A student having twelve (12) absences will receive no credit for that class period. These absences must be verified by a parent/guardian and the school administration.

A student who has 10 unexcused absences within a semester will be recommended to the Spalding County truancy officer.

The responsibility to complete work missed during an excused absence rests solely with the student or parent/guardian. Definition of absence is when a student misses more than 10 minutes of any class. There are 3 types of absences: Excused Absences: Excused absences are those absences such as illness or death in the family (3 are allowed). Unexcused Absences: Unexcused absences are those such as a car not starting, sleeping in late, was out late the night before, parent overslept, parent did not send in note.

School Business: absences approved by the school for field trips, special programs and activities do not count toward a student’s semester absence total. *Note: Legally emancipated minors and completely self-supporting 18-year-old students living alone may report their own absences to the attendance office.