Attendance

 

RHS Attendance Procedures

attendance.rhs@catoosa.k12.ga.us

The primary objective of Catoosa County Public Schools is to help prepare students for life and to teach them how to get along with others in society. One career objective for all students is good attendance and prompt arrival to school and/or class (CCPS Handbook, p. 43).

Attendance Procedures

• School starts at 8:15 am and dismisses at 3:30 pm. If students are not in their classroom then, they will be marked tardy/absent by their teacher.  If students arrive after 8:25 am, they must sign in at the main office
• In high school, attendance is counted per block. Your student must be present in class for half of the instructional time to be counted as present for that block. Any time less than half is counted as absent for the block.

 

Absence Notes

When students are absent or dismissed early, they should always have a note/excuse when they return. 

• Five days per semester may be excused by parent notes.  We cannot accept parent notes if the student is on a CART Contract. Parent notes must be submitted within ten school days of the absence.  All certified notes (doctor, court, etc) will still be accepted at any time. 
• Parent notes must be for an excusable reason. State Board of Education Rule 160-5-1.10 and Georgia State Code, O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.1 specify students may be temporarily excused from school when: 
  • Personally, ill and when attendance in school would endanger their health or the health of others.
  • A serious illness or death in their immediate family necessitates absence from school (immediate family of student is defined as parents, guardian(s), grandparents, siblings, and other adults living in the home). 
  • Mandated by order of governmental agencies, including pre-induction physical examinations for service in the armed forces, or by a court order. 
  • Celebrating religious holidays. 
  • Conditions render attendance impossible or hazardous to their health and safety. 
  • Registering to vote or voting for a period not to exceed one day. 
• Notes can be brought by the student to the front office, faxed to the school at (706)965-8910 or emailed to attendance.rhs@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Tardy Procedures

Tardy Procedures: (per block)

1st -3rd Teacher Warning

4th - 6th Lunch Detention(s)

7th - 9th Saturday School(s)

10th + One day ISS

Checkouts

• Students may not be checked out after 3:00 pm. 
• Photo ID is required to check out a student.  Anyone checking out a student must be on the official check-out list.  Students can also bring in a note from their guardian by 8:15 am on the day they plan to check out and have it approved by the Attendance Officer.
• If a student drives themselves, a parent may send a note so the student can leave for an excusable reason. Notes and emails via this method will be confirmed by a telephone call to the parent. 

 

Early Release Wednesdays

Students can dismiss early on Wednesdays at 2:30 pm.  Early release forms must be filled out for your student to leave early.

 

Participation in Extracurricular Events

• According to Board Policy, students who have an unexcused tardy or absence from school or an unapproved checkout from school may not participate in a game or practice held that afternoon or evening in extra-curricular areas. The athlete must attend school at least one-half (1/2) day, 2 academic blocks, in order to participate in that day's practice or contest.

 

 

Final Exam Exemptions

• All unexcused absences count towards exemption from final exams.  To be exempt, students are only allowed three unexcused absences with an “A” average, two unexcused absences with a “B” average, one unexcused absence with a “C” average, or zero unexcused absences with a “D” average. 
• During final exam week, there will be no email, fax, or notes allowed for student dismissal.  Students will only be dismissed with an in-person checkout.

 

Please contact the Attendance Officer at 706-935-2254 with attendance-related questions.