File: JED
STUDENT
ABSENCES/EXCUSES/DISMISSALS
I. Student Attendance Policy
Student attendance is a cooperative effort and the School
Board shall involve parents and students in accepting the responsibility for
good attendance.
Each parent/guardian or person having control or charge
of a child within the compulsory attendance age shall be responsible for such
child's regular and punctual attendance at school as required under provisions
of the law.
A reasonable effort shall be made to contact a parent/guardian
of each absent student every day, and to obtain an explanation for the
student’s absence, where there is no indication that the student’s parent is
aware of and supports the absence. A log will be kept of call attempts.
Students who are absent must bring a valid note stating
the reason for absence upon returning to school. Unexcused absences shall be
handled according to regulations issued by the superintendent. Written excuses for absences will not be
accepted if the family is not knowledgeable of the student’s absence upon
initial phone contact.
Students shall attend school for a full day unless
otherwise excused. Secondary students shall be scheduled for a full school day
unless they are enrolled in a cooperative work‑study program. All other exceptions to a full day schedule
must be approved on an individual basis by the superintendent or designee.
Nothing
in this policy shall be construed to limit in any way the authority of any
attendance officer or the division superintendent to seek immediate compliance
with the compulsory school attendance law.
II. Compulsory Attendance Procedures
A. Upon
Fifth Absence without Parental Awareness and Support
If (1) a student fails to report to school for a total of
five scheduled school days for the school year, and (2) there is no indication
that the student’s parent is aware of and supports the absence; and (3)
reasonable efforts to notify the parent of the absences have failed, then the
Principal or designee shall make a reasonable effort to ensure that direct
contact is made with the parent, either in person or through telephone
conversation, by the attendance officer to obtain an explanation for the
pupil’s absence and to explain to the parent the consequences of continued nonattendance. The attendance officer, the pupil, and the
pupil’s parent shall jointly develop a plan to resolve the pupil’s
nonattendance. Such plan shall include
documentation of the reasons for the pupil’s nonattendance.
Upon Sixth Absence
without Parental Awareness and Support
If the pupil is absent an additional day after direct contact
with the pupil’s parent and the attendance officer has received no indication
that the pupil’s parent is aware of and supports the pupil’s absence, the
attendance officer shall schedule a conference within ten school days, which
must take place no later than the fifteenth school day after the sixth
absence. At the conference, the pupil,
his parent, and school personnel, shall meet to resolve issues related to the
pupil’s nonattendance. Other community
service providers may also be included in the conference.
C. Upon
Additional Absence without Parental Awareness and Support
Upon the next absence after the conference without
indication to the attendance officer that the pupil’s parent is aware of and
supports the pupil’s absence, the Principal or designee shall notify the
attendance officer or Superintendent who shall enforce the compulsory
attendance rules by either or both of the following: (i) filing a complaint with the juvenile and
domestic relations court alleging the pupil is a child in need of supervision
as defined in § 16.1-228 or (ii) instituting proceedings against the parent
pursuant to § 18.2-371 or § 22.1-262. In
filing a complaint against the student, the attendance officer shall provide
written documentation of the efforts already undertaken to resolve the pupil’s
absence. If the student’s parents have
joint physical custody of the student and the school has notice of the custody
arrangement, then both parents shall be notified at their last known addresses.
D. Parental
Cooperation in Remedying Excessive Unexcused Absences
It is expected that parents will cooperate with the
attendance officer and other school officials to remedy the student’s
attendance problem. Where direct contact
with a parent cannot be made, despite reasonable efforts, or where parents
otherwise fail to cooperate in remedying the student’s attendance problem, the
superintendent or the superintendent’s designee may seek immediate compliance
with the compulsory school attendance laws. The attendance officer, with the
knowledge and approval of the Superintendent, shall institute proceedings
against any parent who fails to comply with the requirements of the compulsory
attendance laws. Where the complaint
arises out of the parent’s failure to comply with the requirements of §
22.1-258, the attendance officer shall document the school division’s
compliance with this Code section.
III. Attendance Reporting
Student attendance shall be monitored and reported as
required by state law and regulations.
At the end of each school year, each public school principal shall
report to the Superintendent the number of pupils by grade level for whom a
conference was scheduled pursuant to Part II (B) above. The Superintendent shall compile this
information and provide it annually to the Superintendent of Public
Instruction.
IV. Dismissal
Precautions
Principals shall not release a student during the school
day to any person not authorized by the student's parent/guardian to assume
responsibility for the pupil. Students
shall be released only on request and authorization of parent or guardian. The
superintendent shall provide procedures for release of pupils who are not
residing with or under the supervision of a parent/guardian. The burden of
proof on the authority of the person to receive the student is on the
requesting party. A formal check‑out system shall be maintained in each school.
Adopted: 08/23/04; 02/22/07
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Legal
Ref.: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, sections 22.1‑254
and 22.1‑258 through 22.1‑269, 22.1-279.3.
8 VAC 20-110-10 et seq.
Cross Ref. : JFC Student Conduct
©
5/04 VSBA