Student Attendance Critical To Academic Success
Kingsport City Schools is seeking parent support in boosting student academic success through regular school attendance and coming to school on time.
Regular student attendance is a key component is meeting the new academic challenges set by the state of Tennessee’s First to the Top initiative. We are reminding parents periodically of the student attendance policy in an effort to keep attendance rates high throughout the school year.
Students are allowed eight (8) excused absences, with an accompanying note, phone call or email to the school, per school year. Absences may be excused for the following reasons:
- Illness, personal or immediate family
- Death in the family
- Religious holiday as defined by state regulations
- Extreme weather conditions
Parents may request to the principal in writing an excused absence for a reason other than those listed above; however, such requests are at the sole discretion of the principal. An absence not supported by parent/guardian communication or medical note within three school days after the absence will be considered an unexcused absence. After three days, the acceptance of supporting evidence shall be at the discretion of the principal.
Students who miss more than five unexcused absences will be referred to the Kingsport City Schools Attendance Office. Students and parents may be assigned to the Truancy Intervention Program, an initiative designed to prevent chronic absenteeism. Failure to maintain satisfactory school attendance could result in legal charges filed against a parent or guardian and revocation of an eligible student’s driver’s license.
For more information about Kingsport City School’s student attendance policy, or the Truancy Intervention Program, please contact Attendance Supervisor Matthew Smith at (423) 378-8594.
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