Attendance Expectations

Students are expected to be in school all day unless they are ill. Georgia State law only recognizes absences due to illness, religious holidays, medical or legal appointments, and funerals in the family. Parents have the right to present reasons they believe are justifiable to the Principal for consideration of other absences.

All absences require a written note from parents/guardians stating the reason for the absence. Emailed notes will not be accepted. A note without a reason and date of absence is unexcused. The note must include the student's full name, reason for absence, date(s) of absence, and parent/guardian signature.

In order to comply with district regulations and state law, when a student has 10 unexcused absences in one month or ten unexcused absences in one year, Richmond County administrators will petition the Juvenile Court System to seek mandatory attendance by a student. An unexcused absence is defined as any unauthorized absence from school. Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Hair appointments

2. Oversleeping

3. Shopping

4. Missing the bus

5. Concerts

6. Babysitting

7. Failure to obtain private transportation to school

8. Mechanical problem

9. Failure to obtain leave of Absence request for absences