School attendance is directly related to scholastic achievement. Students who miss more than eight (8) days, excused or unexcused, will not receive credit for the course. All absences excused or unexcused counts towards the eight days credit policy. Any student who misses more than one-half of the class period will be counted absent for that period.  Students who miss more than eight (8) days are expected to attend make-up sessions to earn credit. Our primary source for make-up of absences throughout the grading period is Saturday school. Students who course credit is withheld due to the attendance policy may appeal to the principal in writing. The appeal must be made within five (5) days after the “no credit” notification is received. Reasons considered for appeals include, but are not limited to: long-term illness, under a doctor’s case, hospitalization, or other compelling reason supported by documentation.

Northern Vance High School understands that both regular and punctual attendance is essential for the enhancement of educational success. It is the student’s responsibility to attend school on time each day unless illness or other unavoidable causes render the student unable to attend. Northern Vance High School further believes that although there are circumstances in which students must be absent, it must be emphasized that the primary responsibility for regular school attendance resided with students and parents. Therefore, Northern Vance High School requests the full cooperation of parents and students in promoting punctual daily attendance.

Note 1: Northern Vance High School views school attendance as the most important factor impacting student success. Due to this view, school attendance will be monitored and limited absence waivers will be approved. Students that are repeatedly tardy to school and/or constantly absent (with no medical documentation) will not be eligible for a waiver.

Please Note: The learning center will only be available for after-school tutoring, not to make up time during the 2008-2009 school year. The student will need to arrange to make up time with the teacher.

North Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law

The Compulsory Attendance Law (G.S.-115C-378) states every parent, guardian or other person in North Carolina having charge or control of a child between the ages of 7 and 16 years of age shall cause that child to attend school continually for a period equal to the time which public which the child is assigned is in session. It prohibits any person from encouraging, enticing, or counseling the child to be unlawfully absent from school. The parent, guardian, or custodian of the child is required to notify the school of the reason(s) for each known absence of the child, in accordance with local school policy.

Classification of Absences

A. Excused/Lawful Absences – In accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, the following conditions shall constitute valid reasons for lawful, excused absences; provided satisfactory evidence is given to the appropriate school official. (G.S.-115C-378)

1. Illness or Injury: Illness or injury, which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.
2. Quarantine: Isolation of the child by the local health officers, or the State Board of Health.
3. Death in the (immediate) family of the child: Includes but is not necessarily limited to grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters.
4. Medical or dental appointments: May be approved by the appropriate school in official in advance, except in the case of an emergency.
5. Court or administrative proceedings: Attendance at the proceedings of a court or an administrative tribunal if the child is party to the action or under subpoena as a witness.
6. Religious observances: When the tenets of a religion to which a child or his parents adhere require or suggest the observance of a religious event unless the religious observance or the cumulative effective of the religious observance is of such duration as to interfere with the education of the child.
7. Educational opportunity: When the absence clearly is to take advantage of a valid educational opportunity. Approval for such absence must be granted prior to the absence by the principal. Please see an administrator for information concerning prior approval.

 
B. Excessive Excused Absences: If at the point that excused absences are deemed excessive by the classroom teacher, appropriate administrator or attendance counselor, the school social worker will be notified to determine the nature of the circumstance and whether or not further assistance is needed.

C. Unexcused/Unlawful Absences: Absences for reasons other than those above may be deemed unexcused. Unexcused absences include but are not limited to the following: missing the school bus, oversleeping, inclement weather, baby-sitting, and mechanical problems relating to your vehicle or transportation, etc.
 
All absences, excused or unexcused, are counted in respect to the 8 – day failure rule for the purpose of granting and receiving credit for courses with passing grades.

Admission Slips

A. It is the responsibility of the student and parent/legal guardian to provide the school and teacher with proper documentation concerning reason(s) for excused absences. The student should bring written excuses signed by their parent(s) or guardian(s) stating the cause of his/her absence(s) the day of return to school in order to classify absence(s) as excused and qualify him/her to make up the missed work. If a student fails to bring the proper written documentation, the absences are unexcused, shall be coded
accordingly.

B. A principal and/or his/her designee may require a statement from the student’s physician verifying the student’s illness, if deemed necessary.

C. Students should bring the excuse notes to school on the day of attendance following the absence(s), and present them to their course teachers. Excuse notes should be presented to each period teacher.

D. The administration will determine if the absence(s) are excused or unexcused (lawful or unlawful).