Wilson County Board of Education believes that attendance is a key factor in student achievement. The Board encourages every positive and innovative means that will contribute to students’ regular attendance, recognizing that school personnel, parents, the community, and the students themselves share in the responsibility. Students are expected to be present and punctual each day that school is in session. Also, under the federal guidelines of “No Child Left Behind” attendance is considered a key accountability factor.


Excused Absences*

Written documentation supporting reasons for absences must be submitted to the main office within three (3) school days. Even though a parent may phone the school, a written notice must also be sent to the school. Written documentation shall include the reason for absence, date, parent signature, and phone number. After that time period has elapsed, the absences will become permanently unexcused.

*The student is excused for the day or days of absences, not the material covered in his/her classes. Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility, and not the teacher’s, for make-up work in all subject matter covered during his/her absence.

1. Personal Illness – A doctor’s note is accepted anytime a student is sick. The school may accept a written note from a parent or guardian verifying a student’s illness (without a doctor’s visit) for up to a total of five (5) accumulated days during the semester. The school principal, with proper notice and documentation, is allowed to make exceptions for
students with childhood diseases, chronic health problems, or special needs and circumstances.

If an illness or hospitalization is to exceed ten (10) consecutive days, the parent or guardian should apply for homebound instruction after the first five (5) days of
consecutive absences.

2. Illness of immediate family (mother, father, grandparents, brother or sister)
Parents or guardians should contact the principal before the absence when possible, to
arrange a suitable time of absence as determined by the emergency circumstances. The principal may require written verification.

3. Death
a. In the immediate (mother, father, grandparents, brother or sister) family – Three (3) days will be excused. Additional days will be at the discretion of the principal.

b. Of others – The principal may approve as an excused
absence with appropriate documentation.

4. Religious holidays regularly observed by persons of the student’s faith because of the observance of a day set aside as sacred by a recognized religious denomination of which
the student is a member or adherent, where such religion calls for special observances of such day. The principal may require a statement from the minister or other person
recognized by the given religious group.

5. Required court appearance – A student may be excused for required court appearance that is not related to truancy or the student’s misdeeds. Verification from authorities must be provided. Final decision determined by the principal of each school.

6. Approved school-related activities that are school sponsored and school supervised. (Prior approval is required.) Local, county or state activities that are closely aligned with school organizations may also be considered as school related.

7. Unscheduled disasters – Example: destruction of a home, flood, tornado, or other extreme weather conditions.

8. Principal Discretion – Circumstances, with appropriate documentation, which, in the judgment of the principal, constitutes a good and sufficient cause of absences from
school. Maximum of five (5) days allowed per year.

9. A one (1) day excused absence is provided for students when their parent or custodian is deployed into active military service. A one (1) day excused absence is also provided for students when the parent or custodian returns from active military service.

Students shall be permitted to make up school work missed during the excused absence.

Unexcused Absences

1. Students who are absent for reasons not covered in the provisions as described under “Excused Absences” are considered “Unexcused.” While daily class work may not be
made up for a grade, the student may make up a tests or project assignments upon request. The request must be made on the day of return from the absence. A grade of no
higher than 84 (C) shall be used for credit purposes on an unexcused make-up test.

2. The name of each child who is absent without excuse for five (5) days during the school year must be reported to the director of schools or his/her designated representative, as required by T.C.A. 49-6-3007. This refers to a total of five (5) days, and does not necessarily mean five (5) consecutive days. The director of schools will then serve, or cause to be served, on the parent or guardian a written notice that
attendance is required. If the parent or guardian does not assure attendance of the pupil within three (3) days, the director of schools shall follow legal procedure to ensure
compliance with the attendance law.

3. Out of school suspension is an unexcused absence, but is not a chargeable offense for truancy in Juvenile Court.

Late Arrival / Early Dismissals

Being on time to school and class is essential for optimum teaching and learning. When a student is tardy, or leaves early he/she disrupts the process for others and loses important learning time for himself/herself. School bus transportation is provided free of charge to students of Wilson County. For this reason, tardies and early dismissals related to car problems, traffic, oversleeping, etc., are not valid reasons for tardiness. To receive an excused tardy when late to school or leaving early, the student must have either:

A. A doctor’s statement
B. An official court notice that is not related to truancy or a student’s misdeeds.
C. A parent conference or a parent’s telephone call and approval by administration.
(Personal illness would be excused up to 5 days per semester for illness without a doctor’s note)

The name of any student who has been truant due to late arrivals and/or early dismissals may also be referred to the attendance supervisor. The school principal will pursue available means to facilitate and persuade the student’s return to regular attendance. If
the student’s attendance does not improve significantly, both the student and parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be subject to court action. Upon consultation with the principal, the attendance supervisor may file charges against the parent/guardian and/or student if tardies/early dismissals are excessive.