Attendance: Please call the school office if your child is ill and will miss a day of school. In addition to calling the office, send a note with an explanation for the absence when the child returns to school. Planned absences from school as a result of educational travel or for religious observations are generally excused and must be approved prior to the event. Please request the proper form seeking approval from your child’s teacher. On this form it states, “that for an excused absence for education reasons, the intent of the experience should have been educational from the outset. Family trips and vacations that were not designed, initially, to be educational will not be excused.” If you would like further information regarding the Wake County Schools attendance policy, you may contact our school counselor.
Northwoods Elementary School Student Attendance Plan
The social worker will monitor attendance on a monthly basis. When a student has a total of 6 absences, the social worker will consult with the teacher. If the teacher deems appropriate, the social worker will send an initial letter to bring this to the parents’ attention.
When a student has a total of ten absences, the parents will be required to have a doctor’s note in order for any absence to be excused.
When a student has ten unexcused days, the social worker makes an additional contact and may file a court petition, if the parents have not demonstrated a good faith effort to improve their child’s attendance.
When a student has twenty five days excused absences, the principal sends a letter concerning the possibility of retention.
An absence is excused when a parent or guardian sends a note offering a legitimate explanation of the absence. There are seven reasons for an excused absence:
- illness or injury of the child
- isolation ordered by the Department of Health
- death in family
- medical or dental appointment with documentation
- court when the child is under a subpoena
- religious observance
- participation in a valid educational opportunity (prior approval is needed)
In the case of head lice, the first three days at any one infestation will be considered a medical excuse. Further absences for this reason will be unexcused.
Absences not classified above will be considered unexcused, even with a note from a parent.
Late Arrivals: School hours are 9:15 - 3:45. Any child arriving after 9:15 will be tardy. Students who arrive late are required to come by the office for a Class Admission Slip.
Early Dismissals: Requests for early dismissals (such as a doctor appointment) should be submitted in writing to the child’s teacher. Upon your arrival, the student is requested to come to the lobby area. The student is to be properly checked out in the school office.
Parent Visits: If you wish to visit your child’s classroom, please arrange this with the teacher. A note to the teacher is also suggested (but not required) for lunch visits. Please keep in mind that unannounced visits during the school day take instructional time away from your child and others. If you have an urgent situation, contact the office and appropriate personnel will assist you.
Volunteers: According to WCPSS policy, all school volunteers must complete a training program offered through the school system. This will include a criminal background check. The school counselor should be contacted if you are interested in volunteering.
Lost and Found: Students who lose personal items are urged to check in the “lost and found”. Small items such as jewelry are often displayed in the school office. Unclaimed articles are donated to charity after a reasonable amount of time. Students are encouraged not to bring unneeded money or valuables to school. The school is not responsible for lost items.
Textbooks: Textbooks issued to students are the property of Wake County Schools. When they are returned at the end of the school year, reasonable wear and tear is expected. However, books that are severely damaged are assessed with a book damage fee. Lost books are charged full replacement value. If the textbook is subsequently found, a full refund is given. Payments are made to the school secretary.
Fire and Tornado Drills: Fire and tornado drills are conducted during the school year. Evacuation routes are posted in each classroom. Northwoods always participates in a statewide Tornado Awareness Week.
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