School Attendance Matters (Part Three)

As we continue our series, Attendance Matters, we'd like to take a quick look at the section of the new attendance policy that is oftentimes a source of confusion for our families at Corner Middle School.  That is what exactly constitutes a "permissible absence."  The Jefferson County Code of Student Conduct for 2018-2019 states:

Permissible Absences

Absences may be excused for the following reasons:

1. Student illness;

2. Inclement weather which make it dangerous to attend school;

3. Legal quarantine;

4. Death in the immediate family;

5. Emergency conditions as determined by the principal or superintendent;

6. Absence to observe traditional religious holiday of local, national, or international origin when verified by the student’s minister or religious leader.

Any other absence not falling into the categories listed above or otherwise excused by the principal or superintendent or his or her designee will be deemed unexcused.

At one time, I thought this was pretty clear.  That's when I learned that people interpret this section very different from me.  I suppose that as "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," the interpretation of these reasons is subject to the person looking for the excused absence. 

As I have stated multiple times, we understand that illness is going to occur.  However, when a student has 30+ days absent due to "illness," it may be time to see more than the nurse practitioner at six different after-hours clinics.  Flu season is not a 10 month event.

Am I encouraging you to send a sick child to school.  No.  But they are students and oftentimes, they don't want to come to school.  Remember this guy?

While this is a lighthearted example of the problem, this happens.  So, requiring a seven day mental health break on a Carnival Cruise does not constitute student illness.  The other absence categories are related to special or unforeseen circumstances, and we work with families as these incidents arise.  

The Code of Student Conduct goes on to say: 

For each absence, a parent or custodian must provide an excuse within three (3) days of return to school following the absence.  Failure to furnish such an excuse results in the child being considered truant for each day of the absence (Alabama Administrative Code, §290-3-1-.02(7) (c). An excuse must include a signed, written statement from the parent or physician stating the reason for the absence and must include the student’s name and the date(s) of the absence(s).

One day I'm going to do a book on some of the excuses we see for student absences.  Families, please take moment upon your child's return to write his or her excuse with the information listed above.  And please note, the excuse must be submitted no later than THREE DAYS after the student's return to school following the absence.

The last part of this section states:

An absence will be considered unexcused under any of the following circumstances:

1. Failure to provide an excuse based on a reason described above within three (3) days of return to school.  For purposes of this three (3) day period, the day the student returns to school will count as the first (1^st) day.
2. Absence for any reason other than the excusable absences as listed above except in special circumstances as determined by the principal, superintendent, or his or her designee. 
3. Absences for any reason as explained in a parent note after seven (7) days have been excused by parent note during the school year.  Only seven (7) days per school year may be excused by parent note.  Any absences thereafter will be unexcused unless excused by a physician’s note or by permission of the principal.

Item numbers 2 and 3 may require some clarification. At Corner Middle School, you have SEVEN parent notes that will be excused by the school.  You can use those seven days for any reason you'd like.  But once you have used those seven days that can be excused with a parent note, they are gone.  You should use them judiciously.  I will discuss make up work related to this topic in tomorrow's blog post.

Before I even give an example, I am going to ask that you carefully consider planning extended travel when school is in session.  Again, there are 190 days in the calendar when your students are not in school.  But if you plan a Disney World trip during school, we will excuse up to seven days if your student does not or has not already exceeded the seven day parent note policy.  Church youth trips are not major religious holidays.  Participation in travel sports.  They fall under this category, too.

After three days of writing, I realize there is much to consider.  There is more to discuss the remainder of the week.  That is why we feel it is important enough to get this information out there for our families to see.

I will be happy to answer questions for anyone wishing to call me at the school at 205-379-3230 or e-mail me at mmanning@jefcoed.com.  Please check in for tomorrow's Attendance Matters post on make-up work.

I