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~~:ti~ <br />Document <br />Policy Code: 4400 Attendance <br />Punctual attendance in school and participation in class are integral parts of academic achievement and the <br />teaching-learning process. Regular attendance develops patterns of behavior essential to professional and <br />personal success in life. Likewise, students who are chronically late similarly deprive themselves of <br />educational opportunities. Regular attendance by every student is mandatory: the State of North Carolina <br />requires that every child in the State between the ages of seven (or younger if enrolled) and 16 years <br />attend school. Parents or legal guardians have the responsibility for ensuring that students punctually <br />attend and remain at school daily. Parents or legal guardians who have chronically tardy or absent <br />students may be prosecuted by the District Attorney's office for violating the State's Compulsory <br />Attendance Law. <br />A. Attendance Records <br />School officials will keep an accurate record of attendance, including accurate attendance records in <br />each class. Attendance records will be used to enforce the Compulsory Attendance Law of North <br />Carolina. <br />B. Excused Absences <br />When a student must miss school, a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian must be presented to <br />the teacher or family specialist on the day returning after an absence. The principal may confirm <br />absences in any manner acceptable to the principal. This requirement may be waived if the principal <br />finds that a compelling and significant reason makes it impossible for a student to meet the requirement. <br />In addition, requirements for eighteen year old and emancipated students will be in accordance with <br />policy 4020. <br />An absence maybe excused for the following reasons: <br />1. personal illness or injury which makes the student physically unable to attend school; <br />2. isolation ordered by the State Board of Health; <br />3. death in the immediate family; <br />4. medical or dental appointments which cannot be scheduled outside of school time; <br />5. participation under subpoena as a witness in a court proceeding; <br />6. observance of an event required or suggested by the religion of the student or the student's <br />parent(s) with prior approval by the principal; or <br />7. participation in a valid educational opportunity, such as travel, with prior approval by the <br />principal. <br />Extended illnesses generally require a statement from a physician. In addition, the principal may require <br />reasonable documentation of the reason(s) provided for an excused absence. <br />In the case of excused absences and out of school suspensions, the student will be permitted to make <br />up his or her work. The teacher will determine when work is to be made up. The student is <br />responsible for finding out what assignments are due and completing them within the specified time <br />period. <br />C. School-Related Activities <br />htta://nt5scbbs.corn/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dlt7clientlD=40I l74&headingswithhits=on&hitsperheading=on&infobaze=chaphill.nfo&record=(B4B)&softpage=Pl_Doc Page 1 of3 <br />