The North Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law holds parents and guardians responsible for a student’s unexcused absences. This law applies to all children in school. Please remember that students have 3 days to turn in a note for an absence. After 3 days the absence will be counted as unexcused. You should have received a letter concerning attendance and a copy of our county attendance procedures. Also, our Board Policies on attendance are listed on the school website. Ashe County Schools will stand firm on following through with the North Carolina Compulsory Attendance Laws. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s attendance please contact Mandy Lovell at ACMS or Tara Miller at the Ashe County Board of Education at 246-7175.

In addition, beginning Friday August 27^th, our new attendance notification service, will automatically call if your child has been marked absent from school.  Thank you for helping us ensure your student understands the importance of regular school attendance.

 

 

Ashe County Schools believes that regular attendance is an important and vital factor in a student’s educational and social development. Students who maintain good attendance will be more successful in school. We want our students to graduate and be prepared to pursue higher areas of education or to begin working in the workforce. We are asking that you as parents/guardians will assist us in making sure that our students attend school so that they can feel successful in their current academic grade and can feel good about the progress they are making towards their futures.

Statistics tell us that students who have poor attendance in school are much more likely to have academic and discipline problems. Students with poor attendance will at some point during their educational experience consider the idea of dropping out of school. High School drop outs are much more likely to experience unemployment, poverty, health problems, and incarceration. Our goal in Ashe County Schools is to intervene early on and assist students who are having problems with their attendance.

The North Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law (Part 1-Article 115C-371) holds parents and guardians responsible for a student’s unexcused absences.

Ashe County Schools has high expectations and hopes for our students. We want to make sure that we help in providing the best possible experience and education for your child. Again, we ask that you assist us in making sure that your child does attend school on a regular basis. Enclosed is a copy of our board policy and procedures on attendance. Please read over these with your family. If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact your child’s principal, data manager, or Tara Miller (Family Support Facilitator) for Ashe County Schools. We will be glad to speak with you and assist you in going over the attendance policy and procedures or looking at your child’s attendance summary.

The compulsory attendance law requires that the parent, custodian, or guardian of children under 16 notify the school of the reason for each known absence. The absence will be coded unexcused unless the notification takes place within three days of the absence. The parent will be contacted by a letter when the child has accumulated three unexcused absences, again at six unexcused absences, and then at ten absences regardless of whether they are excused or unexcused. After the 10th unexcused absence, a decision will be made by the principal, after which the district attorney and/or the juvenile intake counselor may be notified. When a student has accumulated ten absences, excused or unexcused, a medical excuse will be needed in order for any additional absences to be excused.

After a student receives 10 unexcused absences the principal will determine if the parent, guardian, or custodian has not made a good faith effort to comply with the law, the principal shall notify the district attorney and the director of social services of the county where the child resides. Ashe County Schools will stand firm on following through with the court process for students who have 10 unexcused absences unless the principal feels that the students has undergone extenuating circumstances within the year.

Written documentation is required for all absences; therefore, a student must present a written statement from the parent/guardian as to the reason(s) for the absence. Determination as to whether the absence(s) is excused or unexcused will be made by the principal or his/her designee. This determination will be made according to the seven (7) legitimate reasons; these reasons for absences are:

1) Illness or injury

2) Quarantine

3) Death in the immediate family

4) Medical or dental appointments

5) Court or administrative proceedings (court ordered)

6) Religious observances

7) Educational Opportunity (No absences for prearranged educational opportunity will be granted during the three weeks prior to end-of-grade tests. If a student has accumulated less than seven (7) absences for the year, the principal may approve one pre-arranged trip of up to three days. This would be considered an educational opportunity. Request should be submitted to the principal at least two weeks prior to the trip. Absences will be counted toward the total number of absences for the student. Work missed must be made up within five (5) days under the teacher's direction. It is the responsibility of the parent and student to see that all work is made up and submitted within the five (5) days. Students are also required to write a one page essay about the trip. The essay should be submitted to Mandy Lovell or Sharon Lucas within three days after returning to school.