Attendance Guidelines - Parent FAQ
1. I told my child to inform his teacher that he was absent because he was sick. Do I have to send in a written note?
Yes, a written note is required every time your child is absent from school. The note should include your child’s name, homeroom teacher/grade, parent name, a detailed explanation of the reason that he/she was absent from school, and a parent signature. Each year, elementary and middle school students may have up to five days can be excused with a parent note. High school students may have up to two days excused with a parent note each semester. All days in excess of these limits, without acceptable reason or an excuse from a medical professional, will be considered unlawful.
2. What happens if our family has planned an out of town trip that will require my child to miss school?
Out of town trips, vacations and cruises are not acceptable reasons for lawful absences, and the days will count towards truancy.
3. How many days is my child allowed to miss school because of sickness?
Only five days will be excused for illness with a parent note in elementary and middle school, and two days per semester at the high school level. Additional days may be excused with acceptable documentation from a medical professional or service provider. In the event of a serious medical issue or illness, please consult the child’s school to explore the potential for homebound instruction.
4. My son/daughter missed the bus. Is this an excused absence?
No. If your child misses the school bus and subsequently misses an entire day of school the day will not be considered an excused or lawful absence.
5. My child was absent from school because of a death in the family, are the two days for the funeral services excused?
Yes, the child will be excused for “bereavement” in the event of a death of an immediate family member. Upon return to school, please include a copy of the death notice, obituary or program from the funeral services along with your written excuse.
6. One of my children is sick, are his/her siblings able to be excused from school because of the medical appointment?
No, your child’s absence may be excused only if they are sick and not if a parent or sibling is ill. The absence will be considered unlawful, and may lead to truancy.
7. I took my child to the doctor, but I forgot to get a medical excuse note when we were in the office. Is it too late to submit the excuse?
No, please make every possible effort to secure a medical excuse note whenever your child is seen and misses any part of the school day. When in doubt, please request a note from the doctor’s office as potential documentation. If you forget to get a note, please contact the provider’s office and explore the possibility of having an excuse faxed or sent directly to the school.
8. We have already had 5 days excused with a parent note; can my child be excused for any additional days this year?
Unfortunately, the Fort Mill School District policy only allows for a total of five days (two per semester at the high school level) excused with a parent note. Additional days without acceptable documentation will not be considered lawful absences.
9. My child was seriously injured and is physically unable to attend school. What are the options?
In the event that your child is battling a significant illness, enduring a prolonged hospital stay, surgery or is physically unable to attend school, they may be eligible for homebound instruction with the approval of a medical professional. Please contact your child’s guidance counselor to explore this option and determine if it is in the best interest of your child to pursue homebound instruction during the period of illness.
10. I signed my child out, why is the absence listed as unexcused?
Absences will only be considered excused or lawful if they meet one of the guidelines established by the school board. Parents are unable to excuse their children from school if the absence is not due to one of the established acceptable reasons. If a child misses more than 50% of the school day, it will be recorded as an absence when calculating chronic absenteeism.
11. I know that the law dictates that 5 or more unexcused absences meets the definition of truancy, but if I tell the school why my child was out, does it really impact their educational record?
We appreciate communication regarding the reasons why a student is absent. However, if the reason for the absences is unlawful and the days absent are not excused, the truancy will be indicated on their permanent record. Attendance is a factor considered for students who are at risk of retention.