Attendance
Regular attendance at school is necessary in order for your child to be educated to his/her
maximum potential. Did you realize that each school is held accountable for maintaining at least
a 95% attendance rate? Students are expected to be in class each day and the importance of
regular attendance cannot be over emphasized. Absences may be excused for the following
reasons.
A. Personal Illness
B. Family Illness
C. Death of a Relative
D. Religious Observances
E. Court Order
F. Emergencies
G. Extreme Weather Conditions
H. School Sponsored or School
Endorsed Activities
All excused absences require a “return to school” note from a physician or a note written by the
parent/guardian including the student’s name, date(s) of absence, reason for absence and parent’s
signature. If such a note is not received, the absence(s) will be unexcused. Each student is
responsible for completing all work missed. A student must be at school more than one-half day
(11:15 a.m.) to be considered present. Three (3) parent notes per semester will be accepted for
student absences, after which a doctor's note will be required. Absences in excess of the three
excused by parent note or a doctor's statement will be termed "unexcused."
BCBOE Policy 6.200 states: A student who is absent five (5) days without adequate excuse
shall be reported to the Director of Schools/designee who will, in turn, provide written notice to
the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student's absence. If a parent does not provide documentation
within adequate time excusing those absences, or request an attendance hearing, then the
Director of Schools shall implement the progressive truancy intervention plan described below
prior to referral to juvenile court.
Progressive Truancy Intervention Plan: Prior to referral to juvenile court, the following
progressive truancy intervention plan will be implemented.
ONLINE VIEW CLICK HERE.
BCSDistrictAttendancePolicy.pdf
Progressive Truancy Intervention Program 2024-2025
Tier 1: Prevention-Oriented Supports
a. The progressive truancy plan will be published annually to parents and
students at the beginning of the school year.
b. Each school will be responsible for contacting the parent/guardian of a student
who accumulates 4 days of unexcused absences. If the student accumulates
another unexcused absence after contact is made with the parent/guardian, a
referral to Tier 2 will be made, and the Campus Court Mediation process will
begin.
Tier 2: Campus Court Mediation
a. School personnel will schedule a meeting with the student, parent/guardian, relevant
school personnel, and Juvenile Court Staff mediator;
b. During the meeting, the student, parent/guardian, school personnel, and Juvenile
Court Staff Mediator will draft and sign an agreement. A review date will be set for
each agreement. The agreement will include, but will not be limited to:
i. Attendance expectations;
ii. Penalties for additional absences;
iii. Any additional expectations determined necessary by meeting members; and/or
iv. If necessary, referral of the child to counseling, community-based services, or
other in-school or out-of-school services aimed at addressing the student's
attendance problems.
c. A report of the meeting will be drafted and maintained in the Campus Court system.
The report will include the basis for the student’s absences provided by the parent,
as well as a report from the school concerning the student’s absences.
d. A review date will be set for each Tier 2 case.
Tier 3: Campus Court Review and Services
a. If, following the Tier 2 process, a student accumulates one or more unexcused
absences, a review meeting will be scheduled with the student,
parent/guardian, relevant school personnel, and the Juvenile Court Staff
mediator.
b. The mediator may recommend any services deemed necessary by the
mediator.c. The student may be referred to the “Behavior Unit” for a service assessment.
d. Further absences or non-compliance will result in a Juvenile Court petition for
truancy pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-6-3009 through Bradley County Juvenile Court.
If Tier 2 or Tier 3 is unsuccessful with a student and the school can document that the student's
parent/guardian is unwilling to cooperate with the truancy intervention plan, then a referral
may be made to Bradley County Juvenile Court without first having to implement subsequent
intervention tiers, if any, pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-6- 3009(f)(1-2). Evidence that a
parent/guardian is unwilling to cooperate can include, but is not limited to, a parent/guardian's
failure or refusal, on multiple occasions, to attend meetings scheduled for Tier 2 or 3
interventions, return telephone calls, attend follow-up meetings, enter into an attendance
agreement, or actively participate in any of the tiers of the truancy.