B.M.S. ATTENDANCE POLICY

Good attendance is essential at school if a student is to do well. Even though some work missed may be made up, much additional insight can be lost when a student misses a class. If a student is not in class, he/she cannot receive the full benefit of the education offered. Regular attendance is necessary for promotion and success in school. Below are the valid/lawful excuses for temporary nonattendance of a student at school:

PLEASE, PRESENT YOUR EXCUSE TO MS. BURLESON OR MRS. GRIFFITH IN THE OFFICE.

1. Illness or injury (may require doctor's certificate) When the absences results from illness or injury which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.

2. Quarantine-When isolation of the student is ordered by the local health officer or by the State Board of Health.

3. Death in immediate family-When the absence results from the death of a member of the immediate family of the student. For the purpose of this regulation, the immediate family of a student includes, but is not necessarily limited to, grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters.

4. Medical or dental appointments (appointment slip should be filed in office)-When the absence results from a medical or dental appointment of a student.

5. Court or administrative proceedings-When the absence results from the attendance of a student at the proceedings of a court. Approval must be granted prior to absence.

6. Religious observances-When the student is absent due to religious observance in accordance with local school board policy. Approval must be granted prior to absence.

7. Educational Opportunity-When it is demonstrated that the purpose of the absence is to take advantage of a valid education opportunity, such as travel. Approval must be granted prior to absence.

STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN ABSENT:

1. HAVE PARENT CALL SCHOOL IF POSSIBLE.

2. HAVE PARENT WRITE AN EXCUSE GIVING NAME, DATE, DAYS OF ABSENCE, REASON FOR ABSENCE, AND SIGNATURE.

3. PRESENT YOUR EXCUSE TO MS. BURLESON/ MRS. GRIFFITH IN OFFICE FOR FILING.

4. ASK ALL TEACHERS FOR MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS.

5. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO MAKE-UP WORK FOR UNLAWFUL ABSENCES.

*THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAS MANDATED THAT THE STANDARD ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR WILL CONSIST OF 180 DAYS. THEY HAVE ALSO MANDATED THAT STUDENTS MISSING IN EXCESS OF 20 DAYS FOR ANY REASON WILL BE REFUSED PROMOTION. WE ARE AWARE, HOWEVER, OF CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF STUDENTS, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN OUR POLICY OF EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCE: An absence of a student after which he/she will not be allowed to complete work that may have been missed. Again, this is a general rule with each instructor reserving the right to alter it slightly in the case of unusual circumstances. Parents will be notified from the office when students accumulate totals of 6, 10, and 20 absences. This is a mandate from the State DPI.

STUDENTS WHO CHECK-OUT PRIOR TO 11:00 AM WILL BE COUNTED ABSENT FOR THE DAY.

STUDENTS WHO CHECK-IN AFTER 11:00 AM WILL BE COUNTED ABSENT FOR THE DAY.

APPEALS PROCESS:

IF A STUDENT HAS ACCUMULATED 20 OR MORE ABSENCES THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE "BOWMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL" ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE TO APPEAL EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES. DECISIONS WILL BE MADE CONCERNING CREDIT FOR THE YEAR FOR EACH STUDENT.