Attendance
Regular school attendance is an important part of a student's learning process. Good attendance habits should be developed early on in a student’s education career, starting from middle school all the way up to high school. Students who regularly attend school are more likely to graduate from high school with a good education.
In contrast, students who are frequently absent (regardless if the absence is excused or unexcused) from school are potentially at risk of falling behind in academics and missing important socialization concepts that enhance their ability to understand and follow directions. Moreover, students who are frequently absent from school will decrease their likelihood of matriculating successfully to graduation and, thereby jeopardizing their futures. Chronic absenteeism is a behavior that is highly associated with dropping out of school.
OBJECTIVE: To prevent chronic absenteeism and truancy, maintain superb attendance and increase the academic performance of each student.
MISSION STATEMENT: The Student Services department, along with its attendance staff works collaboratively and closely with parents, students, school personnel, and the community to navigate obstacles that negatively impact student attendance in the school.
GEORGIA COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW:
All states require children of certain age ranges to attend school or receive some type of formal education, whether it's through public school, private school, homeschool, or some other venue.
Georgia compulsory education laws require children between the ages of 6 and 16 to attend school, with penalties including fines and/or prison (applicable to parents) for noncompliance.
While most school-age children go to public school, with a much smaller component enrolled in private school, some parents opt for homeschooling instead. In fact, the statute addressing Georgia's compulsory education laws also includes details about home study programs. For instance, home study (or home school) programs must meet certain requirements, such as keeping regular attendance records and making sure students receive an education comparable to that offered by a Georgia public school.
Any child who is found away from home and not in school (truant) may be placed in the temporary custody of a peace officer. Truant children also may be subject to processing by a juvenile court. If a child who has aged-out of the compulsory education requirements decides to withdraw from school, he or she first will need the written permission of a parent or legal guardian.
Definitions
Full-Day Attendance Is Required
A student who wishes to leave school early must bring a written request to school stating the reason for early dismissal. Leaving school for unauthorized purposes before the end of the instructional (or school) day will be counted as a tardy. Parents should not pick up students before the end of the school day except where there is a legitimate emergency.
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