• DISMISSALS / LATE ARRIVALS

    A good attendance record is necessary to make satisfactory progress in school.  Tennessee State Law requires a good attendance record.  It is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to assure that his/her children are in school.  By state law, students must attend school a minimum of 3 hours and 16 minutes each day to be counted present.  Late arrival after 12:00 p.m. or early check-out before 11:46 a.m. will be recorded as an absence.

    Only persons listed on a student’s emergency card will be permitted to sign a student out of school.  A photo I.D. will be required from person signing student out.

    General Information:

    The State Dept. of Education recognizes the following as acceptable conditions for being absent, dismissed early or arriving late:

    1. Personal illness.
    2. Illness in the family, temporarily requiring help from the child.
    3. Death in the family.
    4. Recognized religious holidays, regularly observed by persons of the student’s faith.
    5. Hardship.

     

    The accurate recording and maintenance of attendance records require a great deal of time, expense and paperwork. These records are necessary; they provide the primary basis for the allocation of funds by the State Dept. of Education. Therefore, your cooperation in adhering to these procedures as outlined is essential.

    Procedures:

    When your son/daughter:

    must be absent...

    Upon return to school, a note is required. ALL NOTES MUST BE TURNED IN TO THE STUDENT’S HOMEROOM TEACHER, AND MUST BE RECEIVED WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF AN ABSENCE TO INSURE PROPER RECORDING FOR THE JUDICIAL ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION PROGRAM.

     

    needs early dismissal...

    Students should bring notes to office before 8:30 a.m. Notes should include release time, reason, who will be picking up the student, and telephone numbers where a parent/guardian can be contacted. Person listed on note to pick up must also be on student emergency card.  Whoever picks up a student must come into the office to sign him/her out.

     

    arrives late to school...

    Student must report to the office to sign in and receive a tardy slip before entering class.

    Students are expected to be on time to school and to all classes each day. Tardies will be recorded as excused or unexcused in the school office. Excused tardies must be due to student illness (a note from parent/guardian must be presented in the office stating circumstances), medical appointment (a note from the doctor must be presented stating circumstances), bus failure, or approval of the principal or assistant principal. A student tardy to school for reasons other than the above will be considered UNEXCUSED!  Three UNEXCUSED tardies in a semester will result in Silent Lunch.

     

    Official Knox County Policy:

    • Students are allowed only (10) days absent with appropriate parent note per year. All notes, parent or doctor, must be turned in by the student within (5) five school days of their return to school.
    • The accumulation of five (5) unexcused absences necessitates the student being referred to the attendance worker.
    • Excessive tardies or early dismissals (more than five) will require a doctor/dentist/court note to be excused.
    • Late arrivals are generally unexcused ex­cept for health care or court appointments.