Attendance Procedure

Attendance is very important for student success. Consistent attendance is essential for effective instruction and for student progress and growth. Parents/Guardians are responsible for seeing that children receive instruction in compliance with Tennessee law. It is our expectation that your child attends school each day. When your child is absent, please send a note upon his/her return to school.

EXCUSED ABSENCES – Hamilton County Department of Education Board Policy (6.200)
Personal Illness (A physician’s statement may be required.)
Death in Immediate Family
Family Illness (Student required to give temporary help to family member due to illness)
Religious Holiday
Appointments for doctor or dental which cannot be scheduled at times other than school hours. (Proof of appointment is required.)
Approved School-Sponsored Activities

HCDE ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
The law requires that school officials report to the court and parent/guardian of a child who is unlawfully absent from school for any five (5) days during the school year (this means an aggregate of five (5) days) without adequate excuse. When a student reaches five (5) unexcused absences, the school will notify the parent/guardian that their child must attend school on a regular basis by mailing the Attendance Notification Letter. After ten (10) days absence without adequate excuse, a student is referred to the school social worker. If the child continues to accrue unexcused absences after the referral, a legal notice will be mailed by the school social worker.

This notice shall serve as intent to file a truancy or dependency and neglect petition with Hamilton County Juvenile Court unless proper documentation is provided to the school within five (5) days of receipt of this notice.

EXPLANATION OF ABSENCES
By law students are allowed five (5) unexcused absences per school year. HCDE will allow parent excuses to serve as documentation for three (3) additional personal illness days. After the five (5) unexcused days and the three additional personal illness days, parents must provide medical services documentation for the following: personal illness, family illness, or personal (appointments for doctor or dental). To avoid student absences being recorded as unexcused, a written statement signed and dated by the parent or guardian and any medical documentation should be presented to the appropriate school official within five (5) days of the student returning to school.

It is also important that your child arrives to school on time each day. All students should be in their classroom by 8 a.m. Any child who is habitually late to school will be reported to the appropriate officials.

attendance image

All content © 2024 Hamilton County Schools. All rights reserved. | Privacy Notice | Website by School Messenger