Attendance Office Procedures

EARLY CHECKOUT PROCEDURES

NO 'WALK-UP" CHECKOUTS ARE PERMITTED BETWEEN 1:45 and 2:18 p.m.

All students, regardless of age, that need to check out early, must bring a note from their parent/guardian between 7:00 – 7:25 a.m. to the Attendance Office (date, time to leave class, parent signature, valid telephone number(s) and reason for leaving). Notes may be verified by calling the phone number listed in PowerSchool. The student will be issued a release slip to show teachers to leave campus.

For students that do not bring a note in the morning, the parent/guardian will need to come to SHS to check the student out regardless of their age. Come to the front door (to the right of the main doors / portico) and ring the doorbell to check the student out. You will be asked:

Student’s name

Reason for checking out

Your name and proof of ID

*Please allow extra time for checkouts as some classrooms are far from the front door.

DO NOT CALL OR EMAIL THE SCHOOL TO CHECK OUT A STUDENT

If a student did not bring a note, a parent/guardian must come to check the student out in person.

If a student becomes ill / does not feel well, they need to tell their teacher and come to the front office for assistance. The school will call the phone number listed in PowerSchool to discuss options for check out.

Absence notes may be sent to the following email: SHS-Attendance@wcpss.net or brought to the Attendance Window within two days of the student’s return to campus. You will receive an automated reply when your email is received. Personal replies will be sent when needed.

If a student does not bring a note within two days of returning to school, the absence will remain unexcused (Policy 6000.4).

Excused Absences Notes

If your student was absent, email or send a note with your student within two days of their return. The note should include:

Student's first and last name

Student ID number

Date(s) of absence

Reason for absence

Parent/guardian's name

Parent/guardians contact information

WCPSS Excused absences include:

Illness or injury

Isolation ordered by the Health Department

Death in the family

Medical or dental appointment

Court when a student is under subpoena

Religious observance

Participation in a valid and pre-approved educational opportunity

Request For Excused Absence For Educational Reasons Form (must be submitted five days in advance of educational absence)

Request For Excused Absence For Educational Reasons (Spanish)

WCPSS Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to, the following:

Missed bus

Oversleeping

Car trouble

Personal errands

Out-of-school suspension

Trips without prior approval

Failure to bring a parent's note in the allotted time frame.

Students must be in class for at least 45 minutes to be counted as present. If a student misses more than ½ of a class period they will be marked absent for that class.

WCPSS Safe Schools Tip Line (anonymous) 919-856-1911

Parent Handbook: All students receive a WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook. Parents are asked to read and then review these publications with their students. It is important for parents and students to understand the expectations and rules for the county and our school. The WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook can be accessed online.

Address/Phone Number Updates/Changes: If you have changed your work, home, or cell numbers, address or name, please complete the change of address form and send to Ms. Batista, Data Manager at lbatista@wcpss.net.

Your child’s success starts with showing up.

Coming to school every day, ready to learn, builds strong habits and supports academic growth. By law, children ages 7–16 must attend school regularly.

Excused absences

Your child’s absence may be excused for:

Illness or injury

A death in the family

Health care appointments

Court appearances

Religious observances

Natural disasters

Educational opportunities (requires advance approval)

To request an excused absence for an educational reason, complete one of these forms before the absence:

Request for Excused Absence for Educational Reasons (English)

Request for Excused Absence for Educational Reasons (Spanish)

Unexcused absences

Please send a written or digital note within two days of your child returning to school. Without a note, the absence will be marked unexcused.

If your child has three or more unexcused absences, your school will contact you to discuss ways to support regular attendance.

Making up work

Students are responsible for completing all missed work. Teachers will share schedules and expectations for making up assignments.

Learn more

For details, read School Board Policy 4400: Attendance.