ornetsPlease review carefully the Attendance Procedures that apply to all students enrolled at HHS. I encourage every parent and student to read the Student Handbook cover to cover as well any inserts:
The Georgia Compulsory Attendance Law states: "It is the duty of every parent, guardian, or other person having control of any child between the child's 7th and 16th birthdays to assure that the child a misdemeanor punishable by up to $100 fine, 30 days imprisonment, or both. Each day's absence constitutes a separate offense.
Ga. Code 20-2-690.1."
School attendance is the responsibility of both parents and students.
General Student Attendance Procedures:
HHS Hours 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Half Day Accountability Students must be present in school at least 4 hours out of the school day.
Checkout Cut-Off 2:50 p.m.
Checking In/Checking Out
Students arriving to school after 8:15 a.m. must report to the attendance window to sign-in and receive a check in slip. Students will be allowed (3) handwritten parent notes per semester for a combination of check-in/check-outs/morning tardies to excuse a personal illness or reasons listed in the student handbook as excusable. Check-in/ check-outs will then be unexcused unless approved documentation is provided.
The attendance office will not take phone calls for student checkouts. We must have a signed note from the parent/guardian which will be verified, or the parent must come to the attendance office with their I.D. to check the student out.. All faxed and emailed notes must be signed and scanned with parent ID attached. Identification is required by Hampton High School before a student will be called out of class.
Students who accumulate excessive unexcused check-ins or check-outs will be subject to an administrative referral. Upon returning to school from checkout the student must provide documentation for the checkout to be changed to excused.
EXCUSED POLICY
State law requires school attendance for students ages 6 to 16. Henry County Board of Education Policy states that students will be excused from school according to the reasons listed in the student handbook. HHS students are allowed 8 handwritten parent notes for the school year for excusable absences. All excuses (Doctor or Parent note) must be received the first day back to school no later than the third day back to school. It is the student's responsibility to place their written note or Dr. note in the Attendance office basket that is supplied for students.
UNEXCUSED POLICY
Absences are UNEXCUSED for all other reasons, including but not limited to: missing bus, family visits, driver’s permit/license, oversleeping, car trouble, vacations, babysitting, trips, running errands and/or skipping school. Class work and/or tests may not be made up for unexcused absences.
Other Attendance Policies:
l. ONLY persons listed on the emergency card will be able to checkout students. Please make sure that all contact names are included on this card. (exceptions: refer to last paragraph of checking in/checking out)
ll. Students will not be allowed to call for checkout unless they are visibly ill.
lll. In the interest of preserving the instructional environment we do not allow checkouts after 2:50 p.m.
AWOLS(TRUANCY)
Students who leave campus without checking out or who are absent from school without parent permission will be considered truant (AWOL). Students who skip a portion of a class, a full class, or several classes are considered truant. A referral will be submitted to the administrator of that student. They will not be allowed to make up missed assignments for being AWOL.
Procedures for Students Who Drive To School:
I. The student should take his/her checkout note to the attendance office prior to checking out. The note must have the students first and last name, a date, time of checkout, reason, parent signature and parent's telephone number.
II. The attendance office staff will call to verify the note and once verified, prepare a pass for the student to pick up in the attendance office.
III. The student will then come to the attendance office at checkout time with their pass to check out in order to leave the premises.
Student Handbook
Student Handbooks will be issued the first day of school to every student enrolled at Hampton High School. Teachers will review information within the handbook with all the students. Parents and students are asked to sign the "Student & Parent Handbook" Acknowledgement Form and return it to their teacher. Any questions regarding Attendance can be found in the Henry County Student & Parent Handbook on pages 3, 4, and 5. You are encouraged to read the student handbook cover to cover as well any inserts for the handbook.
Infinite Campus
Student attendance may be viewed through Infinite Campus. If you had an Infinite Campus account previously you will be able to use the same username & password for HHS. Please be aware that attendance letters are mailed at 3 (Letter#1), 5 (Letter #2) and 8 (Letter #3) unexcused absences. The School Social Worker is notified at the distribution of Letter #3.
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Chronic absenteeism affects a student's ability to learn in school and succeed in school. School approved field trips/activities; medically documented absences and suspensions will not count toward excessive absences. If a student has a serious medical or legal problem, the student's parent/guardian is responsible for notifying the attendant's counselor. Excessive absences will be addressed according to the Henry County Absentee policy.
