Next week begins School Counselor Appreciation Week....Please let your class
know about this and the colors to wear.
Monday - Pearl White - Helping students be Brilliant
Tuesday - Ruby Red Day
Wednesday - Multicolor Day - Mystic Topaz
Thursday - Emerald Green
Friday - Sapphire Blue
VALENTINE PROJECT IS DUE ON THE 14TH. INSTRUCTIONS WERE SENT HOME ON THE 1ST.
Dear Parents,
The Cobb County School District, as well as all other school districts in
Georgia, is required to establish a district-wide attendance protocol that
details the steps schools and staff will take to report, investigate, and
prosecute student absenteeism. On August 10, 2011, the Board of Education
adopted revisions to Administrative Rule JE (Student Absenteeism) that
include important changes to the protocol. The administrative rule identifies
new timelines and thresholds for contact with students, parents, and/or
guardians. It is designed to address unexcused absences and promote regular
school attendance – a vital part of a student’s academic and future work
success.
Creating an early pattern of regular attendance establishes attitudes and
habits that will carry over into adult work habits. Inconsistent attendance
results in falling behind in class work making it difficult to catch up. It
is unfair to the rest of the class when teachers have to backtrack for
students who have missed class lessons. Your child’s success in school
depends on having a solid educational background, one that can only be gained
through regular school attendance.
Please see the chart below for a quick look at the revised attendance
protocol.
Absence threshold Old Policy Absence threshold New Policy
5 Total Absences Teacher makes a phone call 3 UNEXCUSED
Teacher will make phone call
10 total absences School sends letter
(unless student has known medical condition) 5 UNEXCUSED absences
School will use automated calling system to call parents and send
letter
15 total absences Student is referred to school social worker to
address attendance 7 UNEXCUSED absences School Social Worker referral
(intervention on case as needed)
7 UNEXCUSED
absences
14-17 years old Letter and phone call to parent that 3 additional
unexcused absences will result in denial/suspension of driving privileges
**Excessive Absences (excused or unexcused): At the discretion of local
school administration, students may be referred to the School Social Worker
at any time it is deemed appropriate for excessive excused/unexcused
absences. Previous years’ attendance records may be taken into consideration
when making a referral.
The principal may ask for additional medical or other documentation to verify
that absences are excused, particularly when more than three (3) absences
have been accumulated during the semester.
The primary goal of the changes in the attendance policy is to address
unexcused absences for students ages six to 15. Absences stemming from out-of-
school suspensions, while concerning, shall not warrant a School Social Work
referral unless deemed necessary by school administration.
Attendance Tips for Parents
When should I allow my student to miss school?
As a general rule of thumb, children should only be absent in cases of
illness or emergency. Absences due to shopping trips, special vacations, etc.
should be avoided, because they tend to minimize the value of school and
education.
School staff members are eager to help you connect with your child’s school
experience. You can help your child want to attend school regularly by
working with teachers, counselors, and school administrators. Here are a few
ideas:
• Read your child’s school newsletter.
• Schedule regular meetings with your child’s teachers.
• Join the PTA, PTSA, or PTO at your child’s school.
• Help your child schedule work and family obligations.
• When possible, support your child’s extracurricular activities.
Student attendance improves when parents help their children prepare for
school.
• Talk with your child about his or her assignments.
• Establish a specific time and place for homework to be completed.
• Check homework for accuracy.
• Help your child create a special folder for finished assignments.
Support your child’s education. School offers exceptional learning
opportunities every day. Help your child be at school all day, every day!
• Let children know that good attendance is important.
o Show them that you are interested in their school activities and want
them to do well in school.
• Communicate with school staff.
o Let them know in advance if your child is going to be absent or if
you have concerns about your child’s attendance or school performance.
• Observe the school schedule.
o Plan family vacations during school recesses and schedule children’s
doctor appointments after school hours whenever possible.
• Establish a routine.
o Make sure children have homework done, classroom materials together,
and clothes laid out the night before school. Make sure they get enough sleep
so that they are well-rested in the morning.
Praise your child when he or she exhibits good attendance and promptness.
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