Queens Lake Middle School

[Pages:2]Queens Lake Middle School

Attendance Procedures

Procedures for Absences & Tardies to School

Attendance on a daily basis is a mandatory requirement of all students based upon The Code of Virginia, Section 22.1-254.

IMPORTANT! - Parents/guardians must provide the school a written note, within 24 hours of the student's return to school, indicating the reason for the absence. The written note must include: ? First & last name of the student. ? Date of return. ? Your relationship to the student. ? Date/s of absence. ? Reason for absence.

Upon return from an absence/tardy, a student must obtain an Admit Slip from the main office. Based upon the written note provided, the Admit Slip will be one of two forms:

? A green colored "Excused Admit Slip" is obtained by providing documentation of a legally excusable absence. o Make-Up Work: At least one day will be allowed for make-up work for every day of excused absence.

? A red colored "Unexcused Admit Slip" is obtained when a student does not provided a written note upon his or her return to school or the written note provided does not detail a legally excusable absence. o Make-Up Work: Students are not allowed to make-up any daily work or quizzes missed during unexcused absences or unexcused tardies. o Students have 24 hours after their return to school to provide documentation which will change their red "Unexcused Admit Slip" to a green "Excused Admit Slip."

IMPORTANT!!! - Even if a parent/guardian calls the attendance secretary to give notification of a student's absence, a written note MUST accompany the student's return to school.

Legally acceptable reasons for absences/tardies:

? Illness ? When a student is unable to attend school due to an illness, a written note from the parent or physician will provide documentation of the illness for the school. For extended illness (3 day or more), a physician's note is required.

? Prearranged appointments ? For appointments with medical, dental, optometric health care providers, or appointments with the court, social services, or other state agencies, which were not able to be scheduled after school hours, the absence will be excused by providing official documentation to the school.

? Religious observances ? Absences due to observances of religious holidays not recognized by the school calendar should be prearranged with the school. If able to prearrange the absence, a written explanation detailing the reason for the absence should be provided to the school upon the student's return.

? Family death or emergency ? Absences due to the death in the immediate family or an emergency beyond the family's control are excused by the parent notifying the school and providing documentation for the absence.

? Pre-approved absences due to exceptional circumstances ? The principal or designee may approve prearranged absences for situations whereby exemption from attendance appears to be in the best interest of the student.

Unexcused Absences

An absence for any reason other than the previously mentioned legally acceptable reasons is considered to be unexcused. The Code of Virginia 22.1-258 defines the compulsory attendance law. In compliance with the law, the following actions will be taken by the school with regard to unexcused absences:

? Five (5) unexcused absences: Written notification from the school is sent by the school when a student has accumulated five unexcused absences. The parent/guardian, student, and school principal/designee will jointly develop an attendance contract to resolve the student's nonattendance. This contract and a truancy referral is then forwarded to the division's attendance officer.

? Additional unexcused absence following school Attendance Contract: The parent/guardian, student, school principal/designee, and the division's attendance officer will make a final attempt to resolve the student's nonattendance by jointly developing an Attendance Improvement Plan.

? Additional unexcused absence following division Attendance Improvement Plan:: The division's truancy officer will be notified by the principal/designee to enforce the provisions of the Code of Virginia 22.1258 by either or both of the following:

o Filing a complaint with the York County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court alleging the student is a child in need of supervision (CHINS Petition).

o Instituting proceedings against the parent/guardian.

Excessive Excused Absences

If a student accumulates excessive (10) absences, official documentation (such as a physicians note, copy of a subpoena, etc.) must accompany future absences.

In accordance with state regulations, 15 days of consecutive absences will result in withdrawal of the student from the attendance roll

Special Consideration for High School Credited Classes

Excessive absences could result in a student not receiving credit in a high school credited class. See pages 1-2 of the York County School Division Student Handbook & Conduct Code for more information.

Attendance Contacts

For more information regarding attendance procedures:

Thelma Turner Attendance Secretary 220-4078 tturner@ycsd.york.va.us

Keith Wright Assessment & Compliance Coordinator 220-4076 kwright@ycsd.york.va.us

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