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Attendance & Tardies

Lexington Richland School District 5 Attendance Page

ABSENCES

State law and district policy set specific rules for lawful and unlawful absences.  A note is required for each absence and should be sent to school no later than the student's third day back.   After three consecutive unlawful or a total of five unlawful absences, the school administration will work with the parent to develop an Attendance Improvement Plan.  Students who continue to be absent unlawfully may be referred to Family Court. 


Excused absences are as follows:

  • Absences excused by a doctor or other medical professional
  • Death in the family
  • A recognized religious holiday
  • Special circumstances approved in advance by the principal (Teachers do not have the authority to approve absences for special circumstances).

In order for an absence after the 10th to be approved by the principal:

  • The written excuses shall be from a physician, dentist or other recognized licensed/certified medical practitioner, or legal officer.
  • The absence shall be due to serious illness or death in the student's immediate family.
  • The absence shall be due to the observance of recognized religious holidays of the student's faith.
  • The absence shall be a consequence of participation in school-related activities that have received prior approval of the principal or designee.
  • The absence shall be due to suspension from class or school.
  • The absence shall be due to other extenuating circumstances acceptable to the principal or designee.

The decision rendered by the school principal may be appealed to the Board of Trustees for final determination.

A student who has a serious illness or injury which will make him absent for a week or more may be eligible for instruction at home by a certified teacher.  If you need additional information concerning this service, please contact the school at 476-4100.

Whenever possible, medical, dental and other appointments should be made for non-school hours.

A note from a parent/guardian, physician, dentist or other recognized licensed/certified medical practitioner, or legal officer is required for each absence. The note will be dated and will include the date(s) of absence(s), the reason(s) for the absence(s), telephone number of the parent/guardian and the required signature. The note must be presented to school officials no later than the student's third day back at school. The reason for the absence given on the note determines whether it will be recorded as a lawful or unlawful absence. A note not properly submitted according to the terms of this policy will cause the absence to be recorded as unlawful.

TARDINESS

Students arriving at school after 7:50 a.m. must  report to the office with a parent or guardian and be signed in before going to their classes.  Excessive tardiness is a violation of School District Five’s Elementary School Student Behavior Code.   Tardiness causes class disruptions in your child’s classroom. Excessive tardiness will result in a conference with an administrator and the development of an Attendance Intervention Plan.

EARLY DISMISSALS

When at all possible, doctor and dental appointments should be scheduled for after school hours. When it is necessary for students to be dismissed early from school, a note should be sent to the teacher indicating the time for the dismissal.  It is necessary then for the parent/guardian or designated person to come into the office and sign the student out.  In cases of emergency, when a note was not sent, the parent/guardian or designated person may come to the school office and make arrangements for early dismissal with an administrator.   Early dismissals after 2:15pm are highly discouraged and must be approved by an administrator.  Excessive early dismissal requests may result in a conference.