Each student enrolled in Aiken County Schools shall be expected to attend school regularly for the 180 days of the school year. Any absence shall require a note from a parent or guardian when the student returns to school. Notes from parents will be kept on file for the duration of the school year. The note is to specify the following: Student's name, parent's signature, date(s) of absence, date the note is written, reason for absence, and parent's daytime phone number. Failure to submit notes for absences within 5 school days will result in the absence being marked unlawful. Family vacations and trips during the school year will be considered unlawful absences unless there is specific educational purpose recognized by the principal as a lawful absence. Approval by the principal must be made in advance of the trip. Any student who misses more than ten (10) days will be required to have a statement from a physician before additional absences due to illness will be excused. All absences, whether lawful or unlawful, are charged against the maximum allowed. Students are recognized each nine weeks for perfect attendance. Students with any tardies or early dismissal will be excluded from the award.

When a student is unlawfully absent for three (3) consecutive days or five (5) total days, the principal or her designee will immediately attempt to establish contact with the parent/guardian of the student to arrange a conference. During the conference, a written plan will be developed to insure that the parent/guardian, student and the school have an understanding regarding the future attendance of the student. A copy of the plan will be sent to the attendance supervisor's office. After such a conference is held and the student is unlawfully absent again, he/she will be immediately referred to the attendance supervisor's office with a copy of the attendance card. If the principal is unable to establish contact with parent/guardian for the purpose of developing a plan, the student will be referred in writing to the attendance supervisor who will make every effort to arrange a conference with the parent. On or before the fifth unlawful absence, the attendance supervisor may refer the student to the Department of Social Services or to the Department of Youth Services for further disposition by the Family Court.

Make-Up of Work Missed
A student absent from school or class for any reason is responsible for all work missed. The student must arrange with the teacher to complete the work missed. Work must be made up within 5 school days of an absence, unless prior arrangements have been made between the parent and principal.

Denial of Credit
Any student who fails to meet the minimum attendance requirements will not be promoted unless approval for excessive absences is given by the principal in cases of chronic or extended illness or in emergency situations. If your child is retained due to attendance problems, appeals of the principal's decision will be processed through the District's administrative functions (Assistant Superintendent, District Superintendent, respectively) with the Board of Education being the final step.

Doctor/Dental Appointments
If a student has an appointment and arrives at school after the tardy bell, he/she must bring a note from the doctor or dentist to verify the appointment. Students who are signed out of school early must submit a note from the doctor upon return to school the next school day.

Tardiness
Students arriving after the 7:35 bell are tardy and must report to the attendance area before going to their classrooms. Please consider unexpected traffic in the morning and have your child arrive before the 7:30 bell. This is especially important during inclement weather as traffic becomes congested very early. Parents will be required to come for a conference if excessive tardies occur.