Attendance and Tardy Policy

Students are required to be in school a majority of the day to be counted as present. Please keep this in mind when planning for early dismissal of your child. Pursuant to State Law, when a student misses five unexcused days per school year, they are considered to be truant and the parent not being in compliance with the compulsory school attendance law; therefore, it is important to make sure if a student misses his/her absences are excused. State law requires that each school district send out letters to the parent/guardian of a student for every five unexcused days accumulated. A Parent may write up to five excuse notes (for a cumulative of 5 missed school days) per academic year, which can be for any purpose the parent deems necessary for the student to miss a school day.

 

When a student is absent and returns to school, s/he must bring a note signed by the parent or guardian to explain the absence or provide a doctor’s note that child was unable to attend school on the date missed. Each student will be permitted five excused days of school with a parent note, subject to the parent being in compliance to the compulsory school attendance law. All notes should be brought to the office the day the student returns to school. Notes received after the 5th day from the date of last absence will not be accepted (these days would remain unexcused). Students with excessive excused absences may be required to appear before the school attendance board. Chronic absenteeism – or missing 10 percent or more of school days for any reason, has been proven to subject the student to academic risk.

 

When unique opportunities for trips should occur, Principal should receive at least two weeks notice to prepare make-up work. The days will be considered excused absences with prior approval of Principal. Only one request for a maximum of 10 days per school year will be considered. 

Five unexcused absences will result in a letter being sent to the parent/guardian notifying them that the student has missed five unexcused days of school. The parent and student will also be required to meet with an attendance designee at their school and agree to an attendance contract. Failure to meet with the school or additional unexcused absences may result in a referral to juvenile court.

We believe school is important; therefore, time spent in each class is critical. As a school system, we have the right to expect each student to be present and on time. Students are to be in the classroom prior to the official start time of school. Students who arrive at school after the school's official start time shall be escorted into school by the parent/guardian and signed in through the main office. School hours for Walter J. Baird Middle School are 7:55 a.m. until 2:55 p.m. Students will not be allowed in the building prior to 7:00 a.m.

Three unexcused tardies could result in the student and parent having to appear before the attendance board. Excessive tardies could result in consequences such as the student receiving after-school intervention, in-school suspension or Saturday school to allow the student to make up missed assignments and/or classroom time.