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Parent & Student Attendance Letter
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Dear Parent/Guardians & Student:

Student attendance is one very important element in the formula for student success. State law requires students age 5-17 to attend school regularly. All stakeholders must work together in an attempt to make certain that all students are in school daily. When there is a separation from school, students miss very important academic preparations.

Most absences fall into 2 categories: excused and unexcused absences. An excused absence occurs when a student misses school and returns with written documentation stating why the absence occurred. That note can come from a medical professional or can be a hand-written note from the parent/guardian. Parents/Guardians are allowed to write excuses that do not exceed ten (10) in number. The Principal has the authority to deny hand-written excuses in excess of ten (10) or to require subsequent absences be documented by a medical professional’s note.

Absences that are labeled unexcused are those absences that do not have an accompanying written excuse. When a student accumulates three (3) consecutive or five (5) cumulative unexcused absences, State law requires a conference including the parent/guardian and school officials to develop an intervention plan to aid in improving the student’s attendance. Should a student then accumulate two (2) more unexcused absences, the student and parent/guardian will be referred to the Solicitor’s office for court intervention.

To avoid the accumulation of unexcused absences, be certain to submit excuses to your child’s school’s attendance clerk upon your student’s return to school. All excuses must be received within five (5) days of the student’s return to school.

Student attendance is a function that we all can influence. Should you have any questions regarding the laws that govern student attendance or your child’s attendance, please feel free to contact your child’s attendance clerk, Principal, or me.

Educationally yours,

 

Ferlondo Tullock

Deputy Superintendent

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125 Herlong Ave. St. Matthews, SC 29135