Attendance Policy
This policy may also be found on pages 36-38 of the student handbook.
ATTENDANCE
One of the most important ways to help a child succeed in school is to make sure that he or she attends school regularly and is on time every
day. We know that things come up for families during the school year and we are committed to discuss any questions or concerns you may
have regarding your child’s attendance. Please stay in communication with your child’s school regarding your child’s school attendance.
Punctual and regular attendance is important and expected. Regular attendance in school is the joint responsibility of the student/ his/her
parents/guardian. Consistent school attendance is one of the building blocks for student success.
Georgia Law, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1, requires any person in this state who has control or charge of a child between the ages of six and sixteen
to enroll in and send that child to public, private, or home school.
Attendance Protocol
DEFINITIONS
Unexcused Absences: Occur when the student fails to attend school, with or without the knowledge of the parent/legal guardian, for reasons
other than those specifically outlined as excused absences.
● The following, even with parental consent, are considered unexcused absences: Vacation, working, missing the bus, oversleeping,
shopping, car not starting, getting senior pictures taken, personal appointments, visiting out of town (unless excused prior to
absence), college visits (unless excused prior to absence), needed at home (unless excused prior to absence). If there is a doubt
about whether an absence will be excused or unexcused, check in advance with the principal. Students may lose credit for missed
work due to an unexcused absence and/or may be subject to disciplinary action, as determined by principal and/or designee.
Truant: Any child who is subject to compulsory attendance who has 5 or more unexcused absences during a calendar school year. Criminal
charges may be filed against the parent(s) or guardian if the child accrues 10 or more unexcused absences.
Excused Absences: May occur under the following circumstances:
● Personal illness or attendance in school that endangers a student’s health or the health of others.
● A serious illness or death in the student’s immediate family necessitating absence from school.
● Court order/or an order by a governmental agency, including pre-induction physical examinations for service in the armed
forces, mandating absence from school.
● The observance of religious holidays, necessitating absence from school.
● Conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety.
● Registering to vote or voting in a public election, which shall not exceed one day.
● A student whose parent/guardian is in military service in the U.S. armed forces or National Guard, and such parent has been
called to duty for or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting will be granted up
to 5 days of excused absences per school year to visit with his/her parent prior to the parent’s deployment or during the
parent’s leave.
● A student whose parent or legal guardian is currently serving or has previously served on active duty in the U.S. armed
forces or in the Reserves or National Guard on extended active duty may be granted excused absences, up to a maximum of
5 school days per school year, not to exceed 2 school years, for the days missed from school to attend military affairs
sponsored events, provided the student provides documentation prior to the absence. The documentation must come from
a care provider at or sponsored by a U.S. Veterans Affairs medical facility or from an official of an event sponsored by a
veterans organization that qualifies as a 501 (c) (19) tax exempt corporation under the IRS Code. In determining whether to
grant or deny a request for absence under this provision, the principal or designee may consider the student’s attendance
record.
Any emergency or set of circumstances which, in the judgment of a building administrator, constitutes just and sufficient case for an excused
absence from school. An administrator or designee may require students to present appropriate medical or other documentation upon
return to school for validating that absences are excused. School days missed as a result of out of school suspension shall not be counted as
unexcused for the purpose of determining student truancy but shall be counted as unexcused for all other purposes
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR EXCUSING ABSENCES
Parents may submit written documentation to excuse a school absence for any of the reasons listed in this document as an “Excused” absence
for up to 5 school days per school year. Parent notes submitted for reasons not included in the list of “Excused” absences will NOT be
accepted. Once the school has excused 5 school days based upon a parent note, documentation from a medical provider must be submitted
for any additional absences to be documented as excused due to the child’s illness. WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION FOR ALL ABSENCES MUST BE
SUBMITTED TO THE CHILD’S SCHOOL WITHIN 5 SCHOOL DAYS AFTER THE CHILD'S ABSENCE. LATE NOTES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Each school
has a specific procedure for sending written documentation of absences. Please adhere to the procedures, as listed below, for your child’s
school:
JCPK Submit written attendance notes/documentation in the agenda. Doctor excuses may be sent in the child's agenda, faxed
(706-468-4975), emailed to pkoffice@jasper.k12.ga.us or child’s weekly folder.
JCPS Submit written attendance notes/documentation in the agenda or child’s weekly folder. Doctor excuses may be sent in the
child's agenda or folder; faxed (706-468-4985); emailed to psoffice@jasper.k12.ga.us or given to the student's teacher.
WPES Submit written attendance notes/documentation in the agenda. Doctor excuses may be sent in the child's agenda, faxed
(706-468- 4984),or emailed to wpattendance@jaspser.k12.ga.us or child’s weekly folder.
JCMS Submit written attendance notes/documentation that the student can turn in to their teacher. Doctor excuses may be
faxed (706-468-1847), emailed to jcmsattendance@jasper.k12.ga.us or given to the student's teacher.
JCHS Submit written attendance notes/documentation to the front office staff when the student returns from their absence.
Doctor Excuses may be faxed (706-468-5021), emailed to hscheckout@jasper.k12.ga.us or given to the front office staff.
Students shall be counted present when:
● They are serving as pages of the Georgia General Assembly.
● A foster care student who attends court proceedings relating to his or her foster care shall be counted present and shall not be
counted absent, either excused or unexcused, for any day or portion of a day missed from school.
● A student who successfully participates in the Student Teen Election Participant (STEP) program shall be counted present and given
full credit for the school day in which he/she served as a volunteer poll worker, up to 2 school days per school year.
Tardy (Late Check-Ins): Occur when a student arrives late (tardy) for school/class. A student who arrives late for school/class without a valid
reason may receive NO credit for work missed and/or may be subject to disciplinary action (as determined by principal and/or designee).
Early Checkouts: Occur when a student is removed from class and leaves school with a parent or guardian prior to the official end of the
school day. IDENTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL CHECK OUTS! Students who need to leave campus can only do so with an adult listed
on their Emergency Contact List. It is the parent’s responsibility to verify that this information is current and accurate. Early checkouts and
late check ins without proper documentation count as absences from the classes missed and may result in the loss of credit for a course.
A student who leaves school early without a valid reason may receive NO credit for work missed and/or may be subject to disciplinary
action (as determined by principal and/or designee).
Perfect Attendance recognition: WILL NOT be given if the student is absent for any reason OR has any combination of more than 4 tardies or
early checkouts.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR EXCUSING ABSENCES: Parents may submit written documentation to excuse a school absence for any of
the reasons listed in this document as an “Excused” absence for up to 5 school days per school year. Parent notes submitted for reasons not
included in the list of “Excused” absences will NOT be accepted. WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION FOR ALL ABSENCES MUST BE SUBMITTED TO
THE CHILD’S SCHOOL WITHIN 5 SCHOOL DAYS AFTER THE CHILD'S ABSENCE. LATE NOTES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Once the school has
excused 5 school days based upon a parent note, documentation from a medical provider must be submitted for any additional absences to
be documented as excused due to the child’s illness.
GRADES AND ABSENCES: Final course grades of students shall not be penalized because of absences if the following conditions are met:
● Absences are justified and validated for excusable reasons.
● Make up work for excused absences was completed satisfactorily.
REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE OR PERMIT (TADRA - students 14 and older): Certificate of Enrollment: Is required when a student
applies for a driver’s license or permit. This form must be completed by a school official to satisfy the relevant enrollment requirements.
ACTION TAKEN DUE TO EXCESSIVE UNEXCUSED TARDIES OR EARLY CHECKOUTS
● Referral to School Counselor (or designee): When a student accumulates any combination of 10 unexcused Tardies OR Early
Checkouts.
ACTION TAKEN DUE TO EXCESSIVE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
● At three (3) unexcused absences: Designated school staff will contact parents to inquire about the reason for the absence and offer
support/encouragement as well as remind student/parent of possible consequences for excessive absences. All student/parent
contact should be documented in the student’s Infinite Campus contact log.
● At five (5) unexcused absences: Student will be referred to the Jasper County Student Support Services Department/ARB.
(Attendance Review Board). Designated staff will discuss the attendance and academic performance with the student and
parent/guardian, identify problems that prevent the child from attending school, and offer support/encouragement to the student
and parent/guardian. Staff will notify the parent/guardian of the consequences of more than 5 unexcused absences and that each
subsequent absence shall constitute a separate offense. After 2 unsuccessful, reasonable attempts to notify the parent, including
but not limited to telephone call, text, letter, email, designated staff will send written notice via first class mail.
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● At ten (10) unexcused absences: District personnel and sheriff's office will visit home when necessary. .
● At fifteen (15) unexcused absences: Jasper Co. Charter System Board of Education (JCCS) will send a US Certified Letter to the
parent/guardian notifying them a referral has been made to Jasper Co. Sheriff’s Office for violation of O.C.G.A. Section 20-2-690.1.
Jasper Co. Sheriff’s Office will refer parents, guardians, or other persons who have control or charge of the child(ren) to Jasper Co.
Superior Court. Students may also be referred to Jasper County Court System and /or Jasper County Department of Family &
Children Services for violation of O.C.G.A.20-2-690.1. Two parents residing in the same household with the child are equally
responsible for the child’s attendance at school.
● PreK attendance will be addressed as outlined in the JCCS PreK Handbook.