The SCCPSS Attendance Policy states that children (between the ages of 6 to 16) who miss 15 or more days of school do not meet the attendance criteria to be promoted. 

These 15 absences include both excused and unexcused.

 

*Parents are allowed to write 5 parent notes for the school year.  If more notes are submitted they will be coded as unexcused.  If the parent has exhausted all 5 notes, the school will request appropriate documentation for absences.

 

1.      Teachers should take accurate attendance through SIS every day by 9:15

Any student who arrives after 9:15 will be marked tardy

2.       Student misses 3 consecutive days

a)      Initiating contact with parents is the responsibility of the homeroom teacher

b)     If contact is made, document communication notes

·         Teacher should refer to the counselor if unable to contact the parents

·         If counselor cannot make contact, the issue is escalated to the social worker

·         Upon successful contact with the parent, they must provide a written excuse

·         Additionally, a letter detailing three days of attendance will be sent out

                                                   

3.      Student misses 5 days (excused or unexcused)

The teacher is required to submit a social work referral / 5 day attendance letter mailed

4.       Student misses 10 days (excused or unexcused)

Attendance Committee will arrange a meeting with the parent.  During this meeting, the parent will be required to enter into an attendance contract.  The school will issue a due process letter (#1) to inform the parent.

5.      Student misses 15 or more days or school (excused or unexcused)

If any student has missed 15 or more school days this year, an email will be sent to the parent.  To ensure the students promotion, the parent/guardian must request an attendance waiver from the Gould Attendance Committee.

6.      Following the initial due process letter, the social worker will send out a second due process letter and initiate home visits.

7.      If the student absences persist after the social worker has completed the home visits and issued two due process letters, a DFACS referral will be initiated (along with accompanying resources).

Subsequently, the social worker may request a warning letter from the Juvenile Court, prompting a truancy hearing.

8.      Once the parent receives the truancy warning letter, the social worker may request authorization to file charges.