Dear Parents and Guardians,
We want to share important updates to our school district's attendance policy.
Students are now allowed only 5 absences in a whole credit, 90-day, 90-minute course and 3 absences in a half credit, 45-day, 90-minute course. Once students reach these limits, they will be provided recovery options.
Make-Up Work and Seat Time
Lawful absences may be approved by the principal when proper documentation is provided. These include serious illness/doctor visits supported by a doctor’s statement, the death of an immediate family member, recognized religious holidays, legal matters supported by a court note, suspension, or other extenuating circumstances approved by the principal. Unlawful absences are defined as those where a student is absent without the knowledge of a parent or guardian, or with their knowledge but without an acceptable lawful reason as listed above.
It is very important to note that students can recover an unlimited number of lawful absences by completing the missed work assigned for those days. For a lawful absence to be recovered, students must:
Submit the required documentation (such as a doctor’s note).
Complete the associated make-up work missed on the date of the absence.
All excuse notes for lawful absences should be turned in to the MCHS Attendance Clerk, Mr. Gary Wilbanks immediately upon the student’s return from an absence. Once documentation is received for a lawful absence, the student must the complete the missed work. Once all assignments that were missed on the date of the lawful absence are completed the lawful absence will be marked as recovered.
Students may also recover unlawful or unexcused absences through seat time recovery, but only up to five per class period in a whole credit/90-day/90-minute course and up to three in a half credit, 45-day, quarter course. Any additional unlawful absences beyond this limit cannot be recovered and will result in a Failure Due to Absences (FA). Please view the provided link for the dates and times for upcoming Seat Time Recovery Sessions provided at Mid-Carolina High School.
Unlawful absences are defined as those where a student is absent without the knowledge of a parent/guardian or with their knowledge but without an acceptable lawful reason as listed above.
We appreciate your support in helping us maintain strong student attendance, as it plays a critical role in academic success. If you have questions about these updates or the documentation and recovery process, please contact Mr. Wilbanks during regular school hours via email or by phone at 803-364-2134 .
Please see below for a flyer capturing the updated SDNC Attendance Guidelines: