Absences

Students are required to provide an emailed excuse from their parent/legal guardian within three days stating the reason for the absence. Excessive absences and/or tardies will be referred to the administration and the school social worker for follow-up. Please notify your child’s teacher if your child has an extended illness.  Excessive absences can prevent a student from receiving a Georgia Driver’s License.

• An excused absence is considered to be one of the following: personal illness, serious illness, illness or death in the immediate family, recognized religious holidays, court mandates, and other conditions rendering school attendance impossible or hazardous to a students’ health or safety.
• An approved absence should be pre-arranged through written emailed request to the schoolhouse Assistant Principal prior to the absence. Approved, pre-arranged absences shall be permitted for a travel opportunity with educational benefits, a graduation, or wedding of a close family members, a specialized educational experience, or an event mutually agreed to by the parent or Administrator. Approved absences are limited to six per year.
• An unexcused absence is an absence from school or class for any reason other than those listed above. Students serving as pages in the Georgia General Assembly shall be recorded as present.
• Georiga law requires school districts to monitor student attendance. Students who accumlate five (5) unexcused absences during a school year may be considered truant and may be subject to attendance interventions and required parent conferences in accordance with state law and district policy. 

When a Student is Absent

Families should:

1. Submit absence documentation through the FAVE Attendance Reporting Form within three (3) school days of the student's return.
2. Communicate with the student's teachers regarding missed coursework and assessments.
3. Review Canvas for assignments, announcements, and course materials.
4. Review lesson recordings when available.
5. Ensure all make-up work is completed within required timelines.
6. Contact teachers regarding missed assessments or major assignments.

 

Make-up Work:

Students are responsible for completing all assignments missed during an absence.

Students should:

• Review assignments and course materials in Canvas.
• Watch lesson recordings when available.
• Communicate directly with teachers regarding missed assignments or assessments.
• Complete work missed due to an excused absence within the same number of school days as the absence whenever possible.

Example: If a student is absent for two school days, missed work should generally be completed within the next two school days after returning.

Work missed during the final week of a semester must be completed within ten (10) school days of the following semester unless otherwise directed by the teacher or administrator.

Failure to complete required coursework may result in a zero for the assignment or assessment.

A student's grade reflects mastery of course standards and content and is not reduced solely because of an absence.

 

Questions About Grades or Missing Work

If a family has questions regarding coursework, grades, or make-up assignments, the following communication process should be followed:

1. Contact the teacher first.
2. If additional support is needed, schedule a conference with the teacher.
3. If concerns remain unresolved, contact the appropriate counselor, department chair, or administrator.

 

Extended Absences:

Please provide medical documentation for absences that exceed ten (10) consecutive school days or for absences involving communicable diseases when requested by the school.

Families should maintain communication with teachers and school staff to ensure students remain current with coursework during extended absences.

 

Tardiness to live synchronous classes: On time arrival to synchronous class is the responsibility of the parent(s) and student. Oversleeping is not a legitimate excuse for tardiness. An excused tardy would be due to illness, medical appointments, and other legal excuses mentioned above. Parents are requested to email the child’s teacher when tardy. If a student is tardy to class, it will be noted in Infinite Campus. Students with excessive, unexcused tardies will be referred to the school administration and social worker.

 

Early dismissal from live synchronous classes: If a student needs to leave school before normal dismissal time, an email from the parent or guardian requesting early dismissal should be communicated on the morning of the requested early dismissal.

 

Driver’s License Certificate of Attendance: Students may secure the Certificate of Attendance form required for a driver’s license and permit by visiting the FAVE website. It is important for students to allow at least 48 hours before inquiring about their Certificate of Attendance.