TRUACNY INFORMATION:
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF NEWBERRY COUNTY’S ATTENDANCE POLICY
South Carolina requires all children between the ages of five and 17 to attend a public or private school or kindergarten. A parent whose child or ward is not six years old on or before September 1st of the school year may waive kindergarten attendance for his/her child.
The Board expects children to attend school regularly. Regular attendance is necessary if students are to make the desired and
expected academic and social progress.
UNLAWFUL AND LAWFUL ABSENCES
If a student fails to bring a valid excuse to school, he/she will automatically receive an unexcused absence. The district will consider students lawfully absent under the following circumstances:
The student is ill and attendance in school would endanger their health or the health of others.
There is a death or serious illness in the immediate family.
There is a recognized religious holiday of their faith.
Absences approved in advance by school Administration
Only 7 parental excuses will be accepted per school year
The district will consider students unlawfully absent under the following circumstances:
The student is willfully absent from school without the knowledge of his/her parents.
The student is absent without acceptable cause with the knowledge of his/her parents.
Unlawful (unexcused) absences will be counted following the first day the student is actually enrolled. After three consecutive unlawful (unexcused) the principal or his/her designee will contact the student and his/her parents to determine the reason(s) for the student's continued non-attendance.
TRUANCY AND CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM
Students are considered Truant if they have 3 consecutive unlawful absences or if they have 5 or more unlawful absences
Students fall into the category of “Chronic Absenteeism” if they miss 50% or more of an instructional day for 10% or more of the enrollment period.
For more information, please contact your school’s attendance clerk.
