Student Handbook - DeKalb County Schools

The school is required to take the following steps in order to implement the procedure stated above:1. Keep continuous logs documenting each step of the process. The log shall include:a. Date and time of each call,b. Name and position of person calling,c. Name of person spoken to, his/her relation to the student, and ad. Summary of the call.2. After the third absence, a call will be made to the parent or guardian by a school representative notifying the parent andchild of potential placement on an Attendance Contract.3. After the sixth absence, the school will phone parents, a letter will be sent to the home informing the student and the parentof the number of absences as well as notification of referrals to the School Counselor and School Prevention/InterventionSpecialist. A parent conference will be scheduled and student will be placed on an attendance Contract.4. After the eighth/ninth absence, a referral will be made to a resource person-the school Social Worker, or special educationliaison that will make contact and provide formal feedback to the school principal or his designee. If the student is less than 16years old, truancy charges may be filed (after the 10 th absence) and student and parent would be required to appear in court. Ifstudent 16 or older, appearing in court to meet with the Solicitor General may be required.5. After the twelfth absence, an administrator will contact the parent or guardian by phone and/or in writing. The administratorwill inform the parent or guardian that on the fifteenth absence the student may be subject to loss of academic credit,withdrawal from school pursuant to a review of information, and/or truancy filed with the DeKalb Juvenile Court System.6. After the fifteenth absence, the student may be withdrawn. Parents have the right to appeal the decision within five schooldays to the principal of the school. In case of further appeal, the final decision will be made by the Area Executive Director.7. Classroom teachers will call the parent regarding class absences when a student has missed three, six, nine, and twelve daysin the course. Teachers will submit a log of the calls to the attendance Office at the end of each semester.EXCUSED ABSENCES: In compliance with Georgia law, all pupil absences shall be classified as unexcused or illegalexcept for the following reasons: (1) personal illness; (2) death or illness in the immediate family; (3) religious holidays;(4) service as page for the General Assembly; (5) instances where attendance by pupil would be hazardous; (6)suspension.When students return to school after an absence, they must present a written statement from the parent or guardian giving thereason for the absence. The student should present this note to the Attendance Office within 24-48 hours of absence.Otherwise, absence will remain unexcused.Any student missing 15 days excused or unexcused days may not receive credit for that semester. Parents may appeal thisdecision in cases of extenuating circumstances.ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL FOR MORE THAN ONE-HALF OF THE SCHOOL DAYA student who is absent from school for more than one-half of the school day may not participate in any extracurricular activityon the day of the absence, including all club and athletic activities.ADMISSION TO THE BUILDINGStudents may enter the building at 7:30 a.m. They are to use the entrances near the cafeteria and must report directly to thisarea. At 7:30 a.m., students will be allowed to go to the Media Center if they have a pass. At 8:00 a.m., students will bereleased to go to their lockers and classrooms. Bus students must remain on campus after the bus arrives in the morning and arenot to leave campus for any reason. Students leaving campus during the day without permission and returning to ride theschool bus home will forfeit the privilege of riding the bus.All students must leave the building by 3:30 p.m. unless they are involved in authorized school activities.CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCEA Certificate of Attendance from the Attendance Office is needed for students who wish to obtain a learner's permit or driver'slicense. This will only be given to students who meet the criteria. NO EXCEPTIONS!! The first copy of the certificate is free;however, a small fee ($2.00) may be charged for additional copies. Students should submit the forms for signing andnotarization at least three days before they are needed.CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBERWhen a change of address or telephone number occurs, the student must inform the Registrar or Attendance Office of thechange(s) so that accurate, current records can be maintained. Students who are not living with parents or a legal guardian inthe McNair zone will be withdrawn.