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Civic Engagement - Consistent with Virginia Department of Education guidelines, any middle school or high school
student will be granted a one school day absence per school year to engage in a civic or political event.
4-H Participation - A maximum of 5 school days per academic year are permitted and will be excused for a 4-H
educational program or activity.
Participation in Tribal Nation Gathering - Students who are members of a state-or federally recognized tribal nation that
is headquartered in Virginia shall be granted one excused absence per academic year to attend such nation鈥檚 pow wow
gathering provided that the student鈥檚 parent provides the student鈥檚 school with advanced notice.
Exclusions/Suspensions - For absences due to an exclusion or suspension, the Parent will be notified of the
suspension/exclusion and the date the student is expected to return to school. The student must return on the indicated
date. If the student does not return on the indicated date, the student鈥檚 absence will be recorded as unexcused unless
the parent is able to provide documentation for the reason for not returning when eligible.
Exceptional Circumstances - The principal may approve prearranged absences for situations in which an exemption
from attendance appears to be in the best interests of the student and his/her family. Prior to the student's absence, the
Parent must complete the Request for Exceptional Circumstance to Attendance Form. The Parent will document on this
request the rationale for the absence, dates of absence, and siblings within the school division for whom the exception
will be also requested. The principal must provide the response to the Requests for Exceptional Circumstances in writing
to the Parent. In documented extenuating circumstances, the principal may approve an absence after-the-fact as
exempt from the sanctions of the attendance policy.
For those circumstances which cause the student to be absent and prior request for approval is not possible, the Parent
must complete the Request for Exceptional Circumstances within two days of the student's return to school. No more
than five (5) days may be approved by the principal for exceptional circumstances during a school year.
Parent Notification Procedures
Excused and Unexcused Absences
For all absences, the school will contact the home on each day of the child's absence from school using the automated
dialing system.
Unexcused Absences
In accordance with state law, whenever any student fails to report to school and no indication has been received by
school personnel that the pupil鈥檚 parent "is aware of and supports the student鈥檚 absence" (unexcused absence), a
reasonable effort to notify by telephone the parent to obtain an explanation for the student鈥檚 absences shall be made
by the principal鈥檚 designee(s), or volunteers. Verbal explanations will still need to be supported by a written/online note.
Truancy Intervention Procedures
In compliance with the Code of Virginia 搂22.1-258 and guidance from the Virginia Department of Education related to
attendance intervention and reporting expectations, the school division has established procedures that school
personnel are required to follow when a student fails to report to school and no indication has been received that the
parent is aware of and supports the absence.
The following truancy intervention steps shall be implemented to respond to unexcused absences from school and to
engage students in regular school attendance.
1.Whenever a student fails to report to school on a regularly scheduled school day and no information has been
received by school personnel that the student's parent is aware of and supports the absence, the school principal or
designee, attendance officer, or other school personnel or volunteer will notify the parent by phone or email or any
other electronic means to obtain an explanation. The school staff shall record the student's absence for each day as
"excused" or "unexcused." Early intervention with the student and parent or parents shall take place for repeated
unexcused absences.
2.When a student has received five unexcused absences, the school principal or designee will make a reasonable effort
to ensure that direct contact is made with the parent/guardian. The parent will be contacted in a face-to-face
conference, by telephone, or through the use of other communication devices. During the direct contact with the
parent and the student (if appropriate), reasons for nonattendance will be documented, the consequences of
nonattendance will be explained and an attendance plan will be developed.
"Attendance plan" means a plan developed jointly by a school representative, such as a school principal or the
principal's designee; parent; and student to resolve the student's nonattendance and engage the student in regular
school attendance. The plan identifies reasons for nonattendance and academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and
family-related barriers and documents tiered interventions, progress-monitoring expectations, and attendance team
members supporting improved attendance. This plan may include school-based activities or suggested referrals to
community supports, or both.
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