Attendance
The School Counselor can assist parents and teachers when circumstances interfere with a student's regular presence in school. North Carolina does have a compulsory attendance law, which requires every child between the ages of seven and sixteen to attend school. Although children are not required to enroll in school until age seven, if the child is enrolled, the law applies regardless of age.
The district sets specific guidelines for each school regarding student attendance. CMS policy recognizes the following excused absences:
All other absences are considered unexcused. Please know that a written note regarding the reason for the student's absence is appreciated. However, a written note does not mean that the absence will be excused if the circumstances do not meet the policy guidelines.
When a student's absences reach certain benchmarks, a letter will be sent home notifying parents. An individual attendance plan may be developed with the student and parent. With repeated absences due to the illness of a student, medical verification may be requested. Occasionally, court intervention is necessary when parents are not able to comply with the compulsory attendance law.
Tardiness:
The school day begins at 7:45 A.M.Students are expected to be in classrooms ready to begin instruction at the bell. Many students actually arrive earlier and are provided instructional opportunities until the official school day begins. Students are allowed to enter the building starting at 7:15am. If the student develops a pattern of constant tardiness, the School Counselor will discuss the concern of tardiness with the parent and find ways to remedy the problem.
The district sets specific guidelines for each school regarding student attendance. CMS policy recognizes the following excused absences:
- Illness of the student
- Death in the immediate family
- Quarantine
- Family emergencies
- Religious holidays approved by the school system- * New Form to request an absence for a Religious Obligation- must be submitted to school at least 2 weeks prior to absence * *New Form, Click to View*
- Educational opportunities
All other absences are considered unexcused. Please know that a written note regarding the reason for the student's absence is appreciated. However, a written note does not mean that the absence will be excused if the circumstances do not meet the policy guidelines.
When a student's absences reach certain benchmarks, a letter will be sent home notifying parents. An individual attendance plan may be developed with the student and parent. With repeated absences due to the illness of a student, medical verification may be requested. Occasionally, court intervention is necessary when parents are not able to comply with the compulsory attendance law.
Tardiness:
The school day begins at 7:45 A.M.Students are expected to be in classrooms ready to begin instruction at the bell. Many students actually arrive earlier and are provided instructional opportunities until the official school day begins. Students are allowed to enter the building starting at 7:15am. If the student develops a pattern of constant tardiness, the School Counselor will discuss the concern of tardiness with the parent and find ways to remedy the problem.