Regular school attendance is indicative of a positive attitude toward learning and self-discipline. Therefore, it is in each student’s best interest to attend school every day. School day defined: The length of the school day includes not less than six hours of instruction, excluding class changes and lunch periods. The Griffin-Spalding County School System’s policy is to allow a student no more than seven unexcused absences from any class per semester. If absences exceed seven days, excuses must be brought to the attendance office and cleared for a student to receive credit.

Absence from school is excused for the following reasons:

1. Personal illness

2. Serious illness or death in family

3. Condition making attendance impossible

4. Religious holidays

5. Serving as Page in the General Assembly (counted present for class)

6. Trips approved by the local school board (first two days only)

7. Approved school events

8. Required court appearance

9. Certain military pre-induction physical and military testing

10. Official visits to colleges or universities

Any other absence must first be approved “excused” by the principal to be considered excused. Parents of students who have unexcused absences totaling five days will be notified by letter as to the student’s unexcused absence. Parents of students who have unexcused absences totaling seven or more days may be notified by the school social worker as to their expectations of their child attending school and the consequences of continued non-attendance. Parents of students who have unexcused absences totaling ten days will be notified by letter as to the student’s unexcused absence. If the student is under 16 years of age, legal action within the court system may be taken by the school. If a student is over 16 years of age, the student may be withdrawn from Griffin-Spalding County School System due to non-attendance.

Reminders:

1. All excuses must be taken to the attendance office to have the absence changed from unexcused to excused.

2. Keep a record of your absence should you ever need it.

3. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain work from teachers whose classes he/she missed in accordance with school policy.

The Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education’s Policy JBA www.spalding.k12.ga.us) requires that elementary and secondary students miss no more than 15 days each school year. Students in middle and high school shall have no more than seven (7) absences per semester. Middle and high school students who are absent more than seven (7) days per semester will receive credit only if the student adheres to the makeup work provisions described in Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education Policies JBA and JBD and brings a doctor’s excuse or presents acceptable extenuating circumstances for the absences.

SUMMARY

The Compulsory Attendance Law (O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.1) requires that the parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child or children sign a statement indicating he/she has received a written statement of possible consequences and penalties. In addition, the law requires children, who are age ten years or older by September 1, to sign a statement indicating he/she has received a written statement of possible consequences and penalties. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.1, the Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education, requires that notification be given to the parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of each child enrolled in the Griffin-Spalding County School System of possible consequences and penalties for failing to comply with compulsory attendance under O.C.G. A. 20-2-690.1. These possible consequences and penalties are as follows:

• Guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine not less than $25.00 and not greater than $100.00.

• Imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of such penalties, at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction.

• Each day’s absence from school in violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law shall constitute a SEPARATE OFFENSE.

Please visit www.spalding.k12.ga.us to review the complete Compulsory Attendance Policy - Refer to Policy JBA

1. The parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child or children shall sign a statement indicating receipt of a written statement (Exhibit) of possible consequences and penalties for failing to comply with the Georgia Compulsory Attendance Statute. (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690)

2. Students who are age ten years or older by September 1, shall sign a statement indicating receipt of a written statement of possible consequences and penalties for failing to comply with Georgia Compulsory Attendance Statute. (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690) After two reasonable attempts by the school to secure such signature or signatures, the school shall be considered to be in compliance if it sends a copy of the statement, via first class mail, to such parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of the child, or children. Certified mail, return receipt requested, still must be used to notify parents prior to any action to begin judicial proceedings for violations of the compulsory attendance law. The school principal shall retain signed copies of statements through the end of the school year.

3. After Five Unexcused Absences: Documentation will be sent from a school administrator/designee to the parent/guardian regarding the number of days absent and the consequences of excessive absences. After two reasonable attempts to notify the parent or guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence without response, the school system shall send a notice to such parent, guardian, or other person by first class mail. The parents, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child having five unexcused days of absence, shall be given a written summary of possible consequences and penalties for failing to comply with the Georgia Compulsory Attendance Statute. (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690)

4. After Seven Unexcused Absences: A copy of this documentation shall be sent to the School Social Worker. A referral shall be made to the School Social Worker using the social work form. An administrator must sign the form and all relevant correspondence and documentation must be attached. The Social Worker shall involve appropriate agencies and services such as mental health, social service agencies, school nurse, student, and parent groups as required.

5. After Ten Unexcused Absences: If previous interventions have been unsuccessful, a referral should be made to the Attendance Task Force. In accordance with O.C.G. A. § 15-11-67, a possible consequence for students shall include possible dispositions for unruly children in Juvenile Court. Pursuant to the Georgia Compulsory Attendance Statute, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690, et seq., “Any parent, guardian, or other person residing in the state who has control or charge of a child or children and who shall violate this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine not less than $25.00 and not greater than $100.00, imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of such penalties, at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction. Each day’s absence from school in violation of this part after the child’s school system notifies the parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence for a child shall constitute a separate offense. After two reasonable attempts to notify the parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence without response, the school system shall send a notice to such parent, guardian, or other person by certified mail, return receipt requested. Public schools shall provide to the parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of each child enrolled in public school a written summary of possible consequences and penalties for failing to comply with compulsory attendance under this Code section for children and their parents, guardians, or other persons having control or charge of children. The parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child or children shall sign a statement indicating receipt of such written statement of possible consequences and penalties; children who are age ten years or older by September 1 shall sign a statement indicating receipt of such written statement of possible consequences and penalties. After two reasonable attempts by the school to secure such signature or signatures, the school shall be considered to be in compliance with this subsection if it sends a copy of the statement, via certified mail, return receipt requested, to such parent, guardian, other person who has control or charge of a child, or children. Public schools shall retain signed copies of statements through the end of the school year.”

6. Tardies or Early Dismissals:

A. At 5 unexcused tardies or early dismissals, or any combination totaling 5 tardies and/or early dismissals, the principal or his/her designee will send a copy of the Compulsory School Attendance Law Principal’s Letter to the parent(s) and refer the child and parent(s) to the school counselor.

B. Upon the 10th unexcused tardy, early dismissal, or any combination totaling 10 tardies and early dismissals, a referral is made to the School Social Worker, who will, if necessary, refer the student and parent(s) to the Griffin-Spalding County Attendance Task Force Committee.

Griffin-Spalding County School System discourages early dismissals from school. Students need to be in class every day and every class period in order to maximize their school experience. Occasionally students need to leave school early for doctor appointments, court appearances, dental appointments, becoming ill while at school, etc. If a student must leave school early, he/she must:

1. Present a written note signed by the student’s parents or legal guardian to the Attendance Office BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS THAT DAY. If student becomes ill during school, student should secure an early dismissal slip from the Attendance Office.

2. Secure an early dismissal slip from the Attendance Office; Please note: early dismissal from school will not be allowed based on a telephone call to the attendance office.

3. Wait in the classroom until the time to depart has arrived. Students will not be allowed to wait in front of the school.