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Attendance Policy

Attendance

For registration purposes, students must present a certified birth certificate, SC immunization certificate, and proof of residence in the CES attendance zone, which includes the correct and current address on a  driver’s license, correct and current address on registration or tax document for vehicle, check stub from current employer (showing current home address), and a mortgage or lease agreement verifying the current address or a legally notarized document from the landlord along with a copy of the landlord’s current utility bill. Anyone not having the proper documentation will be directed to the district’s residency officer.

With the increased instructional expectations, we must begin teaching on time. When students are tardy, they interrupt class and may miss important explanations of the assignments. Remember, missing just five minutes a day is equal to 25 minutes of lost instruction each week! Punctuality is a quality of good citizenship, therefore, please help your child arrive on time to school each day.  If your child is late due to an emergency, please write a note of explanation.  We will offer incentives throughout the year to encourage students to arrive on time.

Tardiness

Our instructional day begins at 7:30am. Children should be in their classrooms and ready to begin work at 7:30am. The tardy sign will be placed in the car rider line at 7:30am. Please do not drop your child off in the front parking lotWhen children arrive after 7:30am, a parent must drive to the front parking lot, park their car and sign in the student in the front office. After signing in on the computer, the student will receive a tardy pass to take to the teacher. 

Permission to Leave School

If you must take your child from school before the close of the school day, you should notify the teacher using Pick Up Patrol.  All parents will have to come to the front office and sign out students for early dismissals.   For safety reasons, no early dismissal sign-outs will be allowed after 2:00 pm.

We DO NOT allow students to leave the school grounds without being accompanied by you or a designated adult listed on your child’s Student Safety information in Power School. Also, anyone not known by our office personnel will have to present identification before a student is released.

DISTRICT-WIDE POLICY NOW REQUIRES VISITORS AND ANYONE SIGNING A STUDENT OUT OF SCHOOL TO PRESENT A DRIVER’S LICENSE OR STATE ISSUED ID. 

In accordance with Board Policy JH, a student will be allowed no more than ten (10) general absences during the 180-day school year. All children are expected to be in attendance each day unless they are ill.  Of course, situations do occur that prevent students from coming to school.  School officials understand that these absences are necessary and, therefore, accept them as excused absences:

  1. Illness (both temporary and extended)

  2. Medical/dental appointments

  3. Serious illness or death in a student’s family

  4. Absences approved by the school administration

  5. Recognized religious holidays

If a student is absent more than 5 consecutive days due to a medical problem, the parent may request homebound instruction.

General absences include:

  1. Absences for student health concerns that do not require the attention of a health practitioner (A parent note is required)

  2. Absences for non-approved out-of-town trips or activities (A parent note is required. This can be submitted in Pick Up Patrol.)

  3. Absences without acceptable cause or without parental permission. (Students are not allowed these types of absences)

Truancy is not permitted under any circumstances. Parents of a student with excessive absences or tardies will be called for a Truancy Intervention Plan and may be reported to the Kershaw County Mental Health Department and/or Family Court.

A note is required for all absences and must be submitted within five (5) days from the date of return to school.  (It is recommended that these notes be submitted immediately upon return to school.) The note must be signed by a parent/guardian and state the reason for absence. Medical excuses must be legitimate documents provided and signed by a licensed/certified health practitioner. Parents are urged to schedule health appointments after school hours so as not to miss valuable instruction.

Examples of Notes Required From Parents/Guardians:

  • Notes to explain an absence

  • Notes to explain tardiness

  • Notes to request early dismissal

  • Notes to excuse the child from recess or physical education class

  • Notes to grant permission to attend field trips

  • Notes to allow the child to ride home in a vehicle with another child

  • Notes to change student’s mode of transportation

  • Proper form to take medication

  • Notes to inform about an allergic reaction (should be accompanied by a doctor’s note)

Student attendance is very important to your child’s academic success, so please be here and be on time each and every day!