Attendance Policy
Compulsory and excused absences are clearly defined in the Tennessee Code and in the State Rules and Regulations. The Hamilton County Board of Education firmly believes in regular school attendance for each student. Educational research shows a positive correlation between attendance and achievement. The elementary school years are a critical step in a successful academic career. Daily attendance, instruction, and task completion are prerequisites to the highest possible achievement. Considering the importance of regular school attendance, the following policy has been adopted by the Snow Hill School / Community Improvement Council.
CATEGORIES OF EXCUSED ABSENCES: (From State Rules and Regulations).
Personal Illness
Death in immediate family-parents, siblings, grandparents) documentation required Religious holiday (prior notification required)
Documented court appearances
DOCUMENTATION OF ABSENCE: A written statement of reason for absence, signed by a parent or guardian and dated, must be sent to school within five days upon the student’s return. Please note: Only five parental notes per year will be accepted. Additional absences will be considered unexcused unless a doctor’s note is received.
STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS: The state law requires that school officials report to the court any parent or guardian whose child is unlawfully absent from school any five days during the school year. A parent will be notified by the attendance teacher that their child must attend school on a regular basis. If the child continues to be absent, a legal notice will be delivered notifying parents that a petition is being filed in court charging the parent with dependency and neglect.
TARDIES AND EARLY DISMISSALS: Parents are encouraged to have their children at school on time and not request early dismissals other than for necessary medical or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled after school hours. In order to be counted present the student must be in attendance for the greater portion of the day.
Tardies or dismissals in excess of three and one-half hours will be considered an absence for that day. Hamilton County Board policy states that three unexcused tardies will be treated as one absence for report card purposes and for awarding perfect attendance certificates. The policy also states that early dismissals will be recorded as absences on report cards and for awarding perfect attendance certificates when the accumulated time exceeds one-half day.
Unexcused tardies or dismissals will result in assignments as make-up work which will receive a maximum of 75% credit. Make-up work will be due the next school day following the tardy or dismissal.
WE APPRECIATE OUR PARENTS WHO ENCOURAGE REGULAR ATTENDANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.