The parent shall furnish written verification of a lawful absence upon the student’s return to school.  Lawful absences are defined as illness or injury, quarantined, death in the immediate family, medical or dental appointment, court or administrative proceedings if the student is a part of the action or under subpoena as a witness, religious observance in accordance to local school board policy, and educational opportunity (prior approval for such an absence must be granted by the principal).  If a child has been seen by a physician, this note must be provided to the school upon the student’s return.  If a child was absent from school and not seen by a doctor, the parent must provide a written excuse note for the absence no later than 3 days after the absence.  The principal may require a note from the student’s physician after five (5) consecutive or ten (10) accumulated absences in a semester in order for future absences to be coded excused.

Students with more than 20 absences (excused or unexcused) in a year, including out-of-school suspension, will be subject to retention.  Parents will be notified when excessive absences may cause retention and/or are in violation of the North Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law.