Ooltewah Middle School Tardy / Absentee Policy 
Students are considered tardy to school if he or she is not present in the assigned home base classroom by 7:35 a.m. Students who are tardy must report immediately to the main office for a tardy admission slip to present to teacher.Three Tardies will be treated as one absence for grading purposes.After five absences in a nine weeks' period, the student's grade will be negatively affected.| WHAT THIS MEANS IS: |
| Three (3) tardies to school = one(1) day absent. |
| Students may fail for the nine-week period if he/she has more than five (5) days absent during any one grading period. |
Attendance
Descriptor Code:
6.200
Issued Date:
Rescinds: Issued:
STATEMENT
The Hamilton County Board of Education believes in the establishment of tradition of regular school
attendance for each student. This establishes the first step toward a successful academic career culminating
in a high school diploma and is an essential concept to learn for the job market.
RECORDING
The Hamilton County Department of Education has a state approved system for maintaining attendance
records for each student enrolled in the district.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
1. Personal Illness: Students are excused who are sick and whose attendance would be
detrimental to their health and the health of other students. A physician's statement may
be required.
2. Death in Immediate Family: Students may be excused for three (3) days in the event of
a death in their immediate families including mother, father, stepparent, brother, sister, or
grandparent. Extenuating circumstances may require a longer period of excused absence.
3. Family Illness: Students shaving an illness in the family which requires them to give
temporary help will be excused from attendance after receipt of a physician's statement
concerning the necessity of the student's assistance.
4. Religious Holiday: Students shall be excused on special or recognized religious holidays
regularly observed by that particular faith. Prior approval is required should these days occur
while school is in session.
5. Personal: Students who are absent for a good cause doctor or dental appointment which
cannot be scheduled at times other than school hours, court appearances, etc. may be excused
upon proof of appointment. Prior approval by parent or guardian and the principal or his
designee is required.
6. Approved School Sponsored Activities: Students shall be marked present when participating
in a school sponsored activity away from the school building.
EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
The law requires that school officials report to the court and parent, guardian, or other person in a parental
relationship with a child who is unlawfully absent from school for any five (5) days during the school
year (this means an aggregate of five (5) days) without adequate excuse. After five (5) days absence
without adequate excuse, a student is referred to the social worker. The social worker will notify the
parents by written notice that their child must attend school on a regular basis. If after three (3) days, the child continues to miss school or there is no response from the parents, a legal notice
will be delivered by an attendance teacher. The legal notice will notify the parents that a petitions is
being field in court charging a child with truancy or neglect against the parents. If the student continues
to miss school after court consent, the petition will be sent directly to the Juvenile Judge.
EXPLANATION OF ABSENCES
Students who are absent from school must bring a written statement explaining the absences, signed and
dated by the parent or guardian for presentation to the appropriate school official. It must state which of
the reasons listed in Excused Absences the student claims in order for it to be excused. This note should
be filed on the first day the student returns and no later than five (5) school days.
PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS
The established policy should be reviewed periodically to ensure that procedural due process is provided.
1. Prior to its enactment, notice of the rules, regulations, and penalties are provided to
students and parents.
2. All students receive a written copy of the policy. Students who arrive during the school
year also receive the policy.
3. Policy is to be enforced by all in a fair, consistent, nondiscriminatory manner.
4. The policy provides for exceptions through an impartial hearing and appeals process.
5. Announce policy at student assemblies and parent meetings.
____________________ ____________________
Legal References: Cross References:
1. TRR/MS 0520-1-3-.08(1)(a) Extracurricular Activities 4.300
2. TRR/MS 0520-1-3-.03(15); TCA 49-6-2904 Reporting Student Progress 4.602
3. Attendance Accounting Procedural Manual, Promotion and Retention 4.609
Minimum Standards and Guidelines, State Department of Education Student Records 6.600
4. TCA 49-6-3017; TCA 49-2-2-3(b)(7)
5. TCA 10-7-504; 20 U.S.C. § 1232g
6. TCA 49-6-3108
Page