ATHENS ATTENDANCE QUICK GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

SCENARIO

SOLUTION

My student is arriving late to school OR returning after an earlier check out.

All students arriving late or returning after an earlier check out should report to the attendance desk, located at the main entrance, to sign into school. When the student presents a doctor, dentist or parent note indicating a WCPSS approved excused reason then that note will be exchanged for a pass to class.

My student misses an entire day (or more) of school.

Upon return to school, the student should arrive with a note from the doctor/dentist or parent and turn it in at the attendance desk located at the main entrance.  The note should state the reason for the absence, the day(s) missed, include a parent’s signature, and daytime phone number in case we have questions or need more information.

My student needs to be picked up from school early.

The parent/guardian must come to the main entrance with BOTH their phone and driver’s license (or other official picture ID). A QR code is posted on the window at the main entrance. The parent/guardian will scan that code with the phone’s camera and complete the survey which requires scanning the driver’s license. The parent/guardian remains outside the door and visible to the clerk inside. The student will be called up and sent out to the parent/guardian. Please do not text your student to come out to you. Students are to remain in the class until they are called for by the attendance coordinator. 

If a student is too ill to sit in class while waiting for a ride home, (s)he must sit in Student Services or the Main Office and will be called up when the parent arrives.

My student drives to school & needs to leave early.

If the student drives to school, the student should bring a note that states the time, date and reason they need to leave. If the student needs to leave during class time, then the student should show the note to the teacher to be released from class. If the student needs to leave during class transition the student can come straight to the attendance desk between class change. The student should then bring the note to the attendance desk, present the note, sign out of school and receive a pass to leave campus. Phone calls should be for EMERGENCIES only. If your student becomes ill or you need them to leave school early, please call the attendance coordinator. They will verify some information and will call the student up to sign out and receive a pass to leave campus. The attendance desk is often quite busy so if we do not answer your call please wait a few minutes and call back. Please do not leave a message or send this request via email as we may not hear/read that message/email until much later. All student drivers must check out at the attendance desk. The student must also return to school with a note from a doctor/dentist/parent for the absence to be excused (unless one was provided before the absence).

My student will be absent from school for a sports / church / family / educational trip / job shadowing / etc.

When an absence has an educational component to it, please fill out the form titled “Request for Excused Absence for Educational Reasons”. These forms can be on our website or picked up from the main office. Please turn in the completed forms to the main office at least 48 hours in advance of the trip. If/when the principal approves the absence then PowerSchool will be updated. If you do not turn in this form or it is not approved, it will remain an “unexcused absence”.

My student will be absent for a college visit.

Upon returning from the absence, the student will need to turn in a note to the attendance coordinator from the college on the College’s letterhead that states they were present for an official college tour on that day. This letter is required to excuse the absence for this reason.

I keep getting the robo-calls but my student said they were in school that day.

The only reason you will receive a robo-call from WCPSS is due to your child being marked absent for one or more of their classes. If you feel like you are receiving the robo-call on accident, please check your student’s PowerSchool attendance and if needed, reach out to your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns.

What is the Tardy Policy at Athens?

All Athens Drive High School teachers take their attendance daily. At the end of the day, ADMHS administration team will pull the attendance and record all tardy infractions that occur on-campus. After 5 tardy infractions in one class period, the student will be assigned 1 lunch detention. Additional tardies in that class period beyond 5 can result in additional lunch detentions (maxing a total of 3 lunch detentions). Tardies after the 7^th infraction can result in a 1-day consequence (typically an in-school suspension). After 8 Tardy Infraction, a student will be given an additional 4 tardy infractions. If at any time during the quarter a student obtains 13+ tardy infractions in a single class period, they will be assigned 1-day consequences that can lead to a potential out-of-school consequence. The following reasons is why a student is marked tardy:

• Arrives after the bell rings
• Drops their stuff off and walks out of class  

If at any time a student ignores a WCPSS issued consequence, there is a potential the consequence can be increased in severity. If you have any additional questions, please contact Mr. Piccolo – rpiccolo@wcpss.net