Skip To Main Content

District Attendance Expectations

Regular attendance is key to academic success. Our goal is to ensure every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential by attending school every day. Consistent attendance not only helps students stay engaged with their learning but also fosters a strong school community.

We expect all students to attend school daily and arrive on time, ready to learn. Absences, whether excused or unexcused, can impact a student's progress. Therefore, we encourage families to prioritize their child's attendance and to schedule appointments or family vacations outside of school hours whenever possible.

Our district offers support for families facing challenges that may affect attendance. If you need assistance, please reach out to your school’s administration so we can work together to ensure your child’s success.

Attendance Information

Tardies to School or Class
6th - 12th Grade
5 Tardies
3 day detention
 Lunch or after school and contact parent/guardian
10 Tardies
1 day ISS
In school suspension and contact parent/guardian
15 Tardies
 2 day ISS
In school suspension and loss of field trip opportunities, including overnight club sponsored events
20 Tardies
 
Admin can assess additional ISS, if necessary, participation in school sponsored athletic events and/or extracurricular activities will cease.

Discuss of referral to Disciplinary Hearing Authority (DHA) for code 24 takes place.
25 Tardies
 
Loss of prom and participation in other extracurricular activities. Referral to DHA.

Unexcused Absences

6th - 12th Grade
10 or more unexcused absences in the school year
 Loss of prom privilege, and parking privileges revoked.
15 or more absences in the school year Removal from team or club roster.
25 or more unexcused absences in senior year Loss of the privilege to participate in graduation.

An accumulation of 8 unexcused tardies/early dismissals will equal one (1) unexcused day.

Participation in Sports or School Sponsored Events

Standards for practice and game attendance shall be explained annually at the parent meeting, by coaches, club sponsors, or band director before the season begins. Student must be at school and counted present for that day to participate in extracurricular activities or an athletic contest/practice that day or weekend.

Out of School Suspensions

Any student who has OSS cannot practice or participate in a school sponsored athletic practice or contest and/or any extracurricular activities that day or weekend.

Parent Notes

One parent note excuses 1 day. Students in grades K-8 will be allowed no more than 3 parent notes per semester. Students in grades 9-12 will be allowed no more than 2 parent notes per semester. The school principal will use discretion in documented emergencies and absences.

Driver's License

T.C.A. 55-50-321 requires the school or system to complete and file with the TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security when a student has 10 consecutive unexcused or 15 total absences in one semester.

Progressive Truancy Plan

Tier 1

Tier 1 will be implemented upon a student’s accumulation of three (3) unexcused absences and must include communicating clear attendance expectations to the parent (i.e., phone call, email, etc.).

Tier 2

Tier 2 will be implemented upon a student’s accumulation of five (5) unexcused absences and must include:
  • student/parent conference
  • attendance contract
  • availability of follow-up meetings
  • individualized assessment aimed at addressing the student’s attendance problems

Tier 3

Tier 3 will be implemented upon a student's accumulation of seven (7) unexcused absences and must include:
  • school-based community services
  • school-based restorative justice program and/or Saturday or after-school
  • courses designed to improve attendance and behavior

Tier 4

Tier 4 will be implemented upon a student's accumulation of ten (10) unexcused absences and must be referred to Student Services for the Truancy Review and Support meeting. Parent(s)/guardian(s) failing to attend the Truancy Review and Support meeting will automatically have a petition filed with juvenile court.

Resources

School Hours: 7:15 AM - 2:15 PM
Students will be tardy if they are not seated in class by 7:15am
 
Helpful Definitions
Tardy – Arriving or leaving outside of school hours. Please note: 8 unexcused tardies = 1 unexcused absence
Unexcused Absence – Absences from class without permission from the school or a parent/guardian (sleeping in, not gaining prior approval for trip, birthdays, etc.)
Excused Absence – Absence from class where a parent/guardian informs the school (illness, family emergency, doctor’s appointment with Dr’s note, etc.). Students will only be allowed 5 excused absences with a parent note per semester for a total of 10 per year. After 5 absences with a parent note, a doctor’s note will be required.
 
School-wide Attendance Action Steps
  1. Meet & Greet – Teachers and building staff members will greet students at the classroom door.
  2. Students are continually reminded about the importance of good school attendance.
  3. A SchoolReach call will go out to guardians daily regarding a student absence.
  4. The attendance clerk will notify parents/guardians via telephone call and letter when a student has accrued 5 unexcused absences to set up an attendance meeting at school.
  5. Principal, Robertson County social worker, and parent/guardian will meet to assess attendance barriers and develop an attendance plan.
  6. DCS referral and truancy will be filed at 10 unexcused absences if attendance plan is not successful.