Attendance and Absentee Procedure
Students must be in school for three (3) hours and thirty-one (31) minutes to be counted present for the day. This means arrival by 11:30 a.m. or dismissal no earlier than 11:31 a.m.
All children are expected to attend each day. State law provides only the following reasons for an EXCUSED absence from school:
- Child's illness
- Serious illness in the family
- Head lice, maximum of three days
- Death in the family
- Religious holiday
Parents must send a written note to the classroom teacher within three days explaining why the student was absent. If no written note is received, or if the absence does not meet the above criteria, the absence will be UNEXCUSED. After five (5) unexcused absences, the Family and Youth Service Assistant will contact the parent to attend an attendance review board meeting.
Tardiness and Dismissals
Tardiness and early dismissals can be as damaging to learning as an absence. The first few minutes of the morning and last minutes of the school day are crucial to instruction. Late arrivals and early dismissals will be handled through the school office. A parent or guardian’s signature is required.
Anyone picking a student up early MUST provide a photo I.D. and be listed on the emergency location card.
School policy states students cannot be dismissed after 2:30 p.m.
Alternate Dismissals
For your child’s safety, any change in a student’s regular dismissal routine must come to the teacher in written form. The school office and/or classroom teacher cannot accept a change in your child’s transportation for dismissal over the telephone.
Inclement Weather
We are notified of official closing times by telephone from the District Office at the same time broadcasts are made by radio and television. It will be helpful to keep calls to the school at a minimum so our telephone lines can remain open; local television stations will have the most current information. If a parent wishes to pick up a student early due to inclement weather, he/she should follow the regular process for early dismissal. If you wish to have your child picked up by a third party, you must have that individual’s name listed on the emergency location card or make written arrangements with the office in advance. Transportation Note: There are no snow routes for Metro school buses.
The decision to drive or not to drive is solely at the driver’s discretion. Safety of students will always be the main consideration.