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Giles County High School

Giles County High ~ Student Absences & Excuses

Absences 

In the Giles County School System, activities that take place in the classroom are a vital part of the teaching and learning process. A day lost from class can never be recaptured. The dialogue that has taken place between teacher and students will not be duplicated. Thus, attendance and punctuality to each assigned class is important. Absences from class must be only for serious reasons including personal illness, death in the family, and legal appointments. Absences involving extenuating or unusual circumstances may be approved by the principal on a case-by-case basis so that each student has a reasonable opportunity to meet the minimum requirements. The final decision on all grades received by a student rests with the teacher and the principal. The right of appeal is recognized. The following is Giles County Schools Progressive Truancy Interventions.

 Principal Approval

    1. Students may appeal to the principal for the approval of an absence(s) if it can be demonstrated that the absence(s) was because of factors far beyond their control.
    2. These absences should, in the opinion of the principal, contribute toward development and future well-being to the student involved. The decision of the principal shall be final
    3. Where possible approval should be requested prior to any extended absence. In such cases, arrangements would be made with the principal and teachers involved concerning make-up work and work to be turned in to the teacher following the student’s return to school.
  2. Grades and Course Credit
    1. Grades earned in any course shall reflect student daily participation as well as the fulfillment of other academic requirements as may be established by the teacher, principal, or Board of Education in accordance with State Rules and Regulations. The minimum numerical grade that can be recorded for a student in regular attendance during any one nine (9) weeks grading period shall be sixty (60). All work assigned by the teacher and completed by the student must receive an appropriate and fair evaluation. To earn credit for any course a student is obligated to:
      1. Fulfill the course requirements as established by the teacher, principal, Board of Education, and State
      2. Not exceed the allowable limit of absences as established by this policy.
  3. Excused Absence (written documentation supporting the absence must be submitted to the school within two (2) days if at all possible.
    1. School sponsored activities. This includes any absence occurring as a direct result of a school club, or other activity integrally related to the school goals of increasing the student’s abilities in a variety of ways, including leadership capacity, and physical, intellectual, or skills development.
    2. Required in-court appearances
    3. Personal illness/Verifiable medical reasons
      1. Doctor’s note (primary care physician or walk in clinic)
      2. Parent note verifying child’s illness (maximum 5)
    4. Death in the family

 Only five (5)days, whether consecutive or not can be excused by a parent note;

 After a student has five (5) days, not necessarily consecutive, of illness related absences excused by a parent's note, or urgent care facility, any future illness related absence must have a doctor’s note stating that the absence is medically necessary. 

 Tardies and early checkouts accumulate into days' absence. Three (3) tardies are considered an absence. Three (3) early checkouts are considered an absence.

 Absenteeism

Grades 9-12: absences for high school students refers to each class/subject taken. Excused absences shall be the same as listed in the “C” above for the implementation of TCA 55-50-321 (compulsory attendance for driver’s license). The following regulations apply to all absences whether excused or unexcused.

 

  1. The accumulation of more the eight (8) unexcused absences during a semester will result in a failing grade and no credit for the course. If the student’s numerical grade is failing at the end of the semester, this grade shall be recorded. If the student is passing at the end of the semester and as more than eight (8) unexcused absences, the highest possible numerical failing grade of 59 shall be recorded. 
  2. Teachers must provide makeup work for all absences. The length of time for completion of makeup work shall be equal to twice the number of days or class periods, or more if so scheduled by the teacher.
  3. Students away from school while involved in school sponsored activities (class field trips, school club, or other activity integrally related to school goals) will not be considered absent for school attendance purposes. Students shall not be penalized for non-participation. Students will be responsible for making up missed work.
  4. Tardiness for more than ten (10) minutes of a class period shall be considered an absence.
  5. There will be no final exam exemption. Exams will be administered on the dates and times scheduled. Students who fail to take the final exam will receive a grade of zero (0) on the exam, which accounts for a percentage of the final grade in the class.

 Students who are absent the day of the scheduled TNReady Tests must present a signed medical excuse or must have been given an excused release by the principal prior to testing to receive an excused absence. Students who have excused absences will be allowed to take a makeup exam developed by the teacher that will count as 15%of their semester grade, or as determined by the state percentage. Students who have an unexcused absence must make arrangements with the teacher/principal to take a makeup exam, which shall be averaged into their final grade at 15%, or as determined by the state percentage. 

 Driver’s License Revocation

 The Tennessee Department of Safety states that any student who fits the criteria below is subject to losing their driving license privileges. 

  1. Dropping out of school (which is defined as having ten (10) consecutive or fifteen (15) total days in a semester of unexcused absences.
  2. Failure to make satisfactory progress in school (which, in general, means passing three (3) subjects. In order to qualify for reclaiming a driver’s permit or license, the student must make a passing grade in at least three (3) full unit subjects of their equivalency at the conclusion of a subsequent grading period and have satisfactory school attendance during the subsequent grading period.