Franklin County High School Attendance Policy

This is the official Franklin County High School Attendance Policy as posted on their website. It does not reflect the current policy implemented back on the first day of school on August 19th. According to the Virginia School Policy set by the state of Virginia, this means that the school system is out of compliance with the state of Virginia School Policy regarding notifications to the public.  See the letters below this policy statement which reflect the  new policy.

4. High School
The attendance policy at Franklin County High School will be followed. It is imperative for students to attend school. If a student is absent, it becomes the student’s responsibility to initiate contact with the teacher(s) to schedule make-up work.

a. A parent is notified by the “Eagle Hotline” (FCHS Phone Master System) when a student is absent.
b. On the fifth day of absence from one (1) or more classes, the parent is notified in writing. When the tenth day is missed, the parent is notified and required to come in for a conference.
c. When a student misses the eleventh day or any days thereafter through thirteen days, the student must attend Make-up School or lose credit for the semester.
d. If a student misses the fourteenth day, parents are notified that the student has failed the course(s) for the semester.

Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case review of the nature of a student’s absences with parents, administrators, and central office personnel.

This is per letter dated Oct. 14, 2009 from Mr. Crutchfield, Assoc. Principal

“Dear Parent//Guardian:

Our attendance records indicate that your child has been absent from one or more classes for six (6) or more times this nine weeks.

Students who miss more than five days of class per nine weeks will be assigned to attend a Saturday School session on the sixth and seventh day of absence from class.  Failure to attend the required number of Saturday School sessions will result in the student not receiving credit in the class for the nine weeks.  Students who miss more than fourteen times per semester and have attended the assigned Saturday School sessions may apply for  an attendance waiver in order to receive full credit for the class.  Students who fail to attend the assigned Saturday School sessions and/or apply for an attendance waiver will not receive credit for the course in which they are enrolled.

If a student misses more than fourteen times from one or more classes, he/she loses credit.  Under some circumstances credit may be restored if the student contacts Mrs. Grantham in the Law Office and complies with the following guidelines:

1) The student must attend four make-up sessions;

2) The student must complete and absence waiver request form;

3) The student must supply documentation to the school administration from a medical professional or an officer of the courts for absences.”

This is per letter dated Oct. 20, 2009 from Mr. Crutchfield, Assoc. Principal

“Dear Parent//Guardian:

Our attendance records indicate that your child has been absent from one or more classes for eight (8) or more times this nine- week period.

In accordance with the Franklin County High School Attendance Policy, your child may not receive credit for any class from which he/ she has been absent eight or more times.

If a student misses eight or more times from one or more classes in a nine-week period, he/she loses credit.  Under some circumstances credit may be restored if the student contacts Mrs. Grantham in the Law Office and complies with the following guidelines:

1) The student must attend two make-up sessions in a nine-week period;

2) The student must complete an absence waiver request form;

3) The student must supply documentation to the school administration from a medical professional or an officer of the courts for absences.

Waivers will be reviewed at the end of the semester and credit will be restored at that time if guidelines are met.”

When we requested the attendance policy for FCHS, Keith Pennington’s assistant at the School Board Office printed out the following:
NOTE: It says nothing about the policy in question!

Franklin County Public Schools Policies and Regulations

Book:
Franklin County Public Schools Policies and Regulations

Section:
SECTION J: Students

Title:
Student Absences/Excuses/Dismissals

Number:
JED

Status:
Active

Legal:
Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-254, 22.1-258 through 22.1-269, 22.1-279.3, 46.2-323 and 46.2-334.001. 8 VAC 20-110-10 et seq.

Adopted:
07/13/2009

Last Revised:
07/14/2008

Last Reviewed:
05/01/2009
Policy Detail
STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY
Student attendance is a cooperative effort and the School Board shall involve parents and students in accepting the responsibility for good attendance.

Each parent/guardian or person having control or charge of a child within the compulsory attendance age shall be responsible for such child’s regular and punctual attendance at school as required under provisions of the law.

A reasonable effort shall be made to contact a parent/guardian of each absent student every day, and to obtain an explanation for the student’s absence, where there is no indication that the student’s parent is aware of and supports the absence. A log will be kept of call attempts.

Students who are absent must bring a valid note stating the reason for absence upon returning to school. Unexcused absences shall be handled according to regulations issued by the superintendent.

Students shall attend school for a full day unless otherwise excused. Secondary students shall be scheduled for a full school day unless they are enrolled in a cooperative work study program. All other exceptions to a full day schedule must be approved on an individual basis by the superintendent or designee.

Nothing in this policy shall be construed to limit in any way the authority of any attendance officer or the division superintendent to seek immediate compliance with the compulsory school attendance law.

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
1. Upon Fifth Absence Without Parental Awareness and Support
If (1) a student fails to report to school for a total of five scheduled school days for the school year, and (2) there is no indication that the student’s parent is aware of and supports the absence; and (3) reasonable efforts to notify the parent of the absences have failed, then the Principal or designee shall make a reasonable effort to ensure that direct contact is made with the parent, either in person or through telephone conversation, by the attendance officer to obtain an explanation for the pupil’s absence and to explain to the parent the consequences of continued nonattendance. The attendance officer, the pupil, and the pupil’s parent shall jointly develop a plan to resolve the pupil’s nonattendance. Such plan shall include documentation of the reasons for the pupil’s nonattendance.
2. Upon Sixth Absence Without Parental Awareness and Support
If the pupil is absent an additional day after direct contact with the pupil’s parent and the attendance officer has received no indication that the pupil’s parent is aware of and supports the pupil’s absence, the attendance officer shall schedule a conference within ten school days, which must take place no later than the fifteenth school day after the sixth absence, At the conference, the pupil, his parent, and school personnel, shall meet to resolve issues related to the pupil’s nonattendance. Other community service providers may also be included in the conference.
3. Upon Additional Absence Without Parental Awareness and Support
Upon the next absence after the conference without indication to the attendance officer that the pupil’s parent is aware of and supports the pupil’s absence, the Principal or designee shall notify the attendance officer or Superintendent who shall enforce the compulsory attendance rules by either or both of the following: (i) filing a complaint with the juvenile and domestic relations court alleging the pupil is a child in need of supervision as defined in § 16.1-228 or (ii) instituting proceedings against the parent pursuant to § 18.2-371 or § 22.1-262. In filing a complaint against the student, the attendance officer shall provide written documentation of the efforts already undertaken to resolve the pupil’s absence. If the student’s parents have joint physical custody of the student and the school has notice of the custody arrangement, then both parents shall be notified at their last known addresses.
4. Parental Cooperation in Remedying Excessive Unexcused Absences
It is expected that parents will cooperate with the attendance officer and other school officials to remedy the student’s attendance problem. Where direct contact with a parent cannot be made, despite reasonable efforts, or where parents otherwise fail to cooperate in remedying the student’s attendance problem, the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee may seek immediate compliance with the compulsory school attendance laws. The attendance officer, with the knowledge and approval of the Superintendent, shall institute proceedings against any parent who fails to comply with the requirements of the compulsory attendance laws. Where the complaint arises out of the parent’s failure to comply with the requirements of § 22.1-258, the attendance officer shall document the school division’s compliance with this Code section.

REPORT FOR SUSPENSION OF DRIVER’S LICENSE
In addition to any other actions taken pursuant to this policy. if a student who is under 18 years of age has 10 or more unexcused absences from school on consecutive school days, the principal may notify the juvenile and domestic relations court, which may take action to suspend the student’s driver’s license.

ATTENDANCE REPORTING
Student attendance shall be monitored and reported as required by state law and regulations. At the end of each school year, each public school principal shall report to the Superintendent the number of pupils by grade level for whom a conference was scheduled pursuant to Section 2 of “Compulsory Attendance Procedures” above. The Superintendent shall compile this information and provide it annually to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

DISMISSAL PRECAUTIONS
Principals shall not release a student during the school day to any person not authorized by the student’s parent/guardian to assume responsibility for the pupil. Students shall be released only on request and authorization of parent or guardian. The superintendent shall provide procedures for release of pupils who are not residing with or under the supervision of a parent/guardian. The burden of proof on the authority of the person to receive the student is on the requesting party. A formal check out system shall be maintained in each school.

Cross Ref. : IGAJ Drivers Education
JFC Student Conduct
JFC-R Standards of Student Conduct

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