Attendance

 

ATTENDANCE

1. Students are expected to attend school each day.
2. A student must be in class for at least half of the instructional period to be counted present. When a student is not in class, he or she must be marked absent.
3. A student who is absent from school is required to bring an excuse for their absence. The following must be written on the excuse:
   • First and last name of student
   • Date of absence
   • Reason for absence with documentation attached if required
   • Parent/guardian signature
4. Excuses are presented to Ms. Jessica Huston, Registrar/Attendance Clerk. The absence will be documented as excused or unexcused and registered in Infinite Campus.
5. Students have FIVE (5) school days to bring their excuse after the date of the absence. After five days, the unexcused absence will remain unchanged unless the excuse presented is from a medical professional.
6. If an absence is excused, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain missed assignments. The number of days students have to make-up work within a nine-week period will be outlined on the course syllabus.
7. No more than FIVE (5) parent-written excuses will be accepted for each school year.

 

STUDENT ILLNESS: Students who become ill during the school day are to report to the School Nurse or the office of the Registrar/Attendance Clerk. Contact with a parent or guardian must be made before a student leaves school.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE: For purposes of determining perfect attendance, students shall have no tardies to school, no early dismissals from school, and be present on campus all day each school day.

 

Emanuel Co. Student Attendance Protocol Adopted March 10, 2005 (Updated July 23, 2014)

 

Social Worker Interventions:

• Attend RTI/IEP meetings to address issues of attendance
• In the event there is an open DFCS case, Social Worker will contact caseworker for assistance in addressing the problem.
• In the event the student is involved with DJJ, a probation officer will be contacted.
• In some cases, letters will be sent or home visits will be made.

School Policy for Tardies:

• 3 Tardies: Counselor Referral and Plan of Action created
• 5 Tardies: After School Detention 
• 10 Tardies: 1 Day ISS/Principal Discretion

 

ARRIVAL-DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

CHECK-IN POLICY:

Any student arriving at school after 8:00 a.m. must sign in with the school registrar/attendance clerk. If a student arrives after 8:00 am, he/she must receive an admit slip from the office before entering class.

• Safety is a large priority at Swainsboro Middle School. Procedures are in place to maximize safety measures during arrival and dismissal periods for students.
• School personnel have designated duty areas to provide supervision and promote safety.

Arrival Procedures:

• Buses arrive via our bus lane on Tiger Trail beginning at 7:30 a.m.
• Car riders are dropped off and picked up in the front of the school only. Students, who are car riders, will enter the building through the front.
• ALL students will proceed to the lunchroom for breakfast and be dismissed to homeroom by staff. 

Dismissal Procedures:

• Buses will arrive at Swainsboro Middle School for dismissal at approximately 3:05 p.m. Bus riders will be called to dismiss when all buses are in place.
• Parents/Guardians picking up students should wait in front of the school and wait until car riders/walkers are dismissed.

 

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL

If it is necessary to withdraw from school or transfer to another school, parents must accompany students. The registrar will handle all withdrawals. Students must return all textbooks and clear all fees.