In order for a student to benefit from classroom instruction, regular school attendance is essential.  Parents can help by discussing the reasons why regular attendance and coming to school on time are so important to a child’s development and learning.

Lee County School Board Policy includes the following rules:

1.  Legitimate excuses for absence are:  illness, the death of someone in the family, religious holidays of a child’s own religion, a court date or a justifiable reason approved by the principal.

2.  A parent should call the school each day a child is absent.  When a child returns to school a written note should be sent specifying the date(s) and the reason(s) for the absence. 

3.  The responsibility for school attendance of children rests primarily with the parent/guardian.

The new district policy on attendance sets specific guidelines for the schools to follow when students are excessively absent or tardy.  The following procedures are in place at Orange River: 

1.    At 5 absences the school will send the parent a statement outlining the attendance policy and steps to be initiated for continued absences. 

2.   After 11 absences the social worker will contact the parent to document the reasons for the absences and to inform the parent of the compulsory attendance law and consequences for excessive absences or tardies. 

3.   After 14 absences the parent will receive a written request to meet at school to discuss and resolve the attendance problem. 

4.   After 19 absences the student will be referred to the Academic Review Committee to determine whether the student shall be promoted.

Perfect Attendance will be rewarded with a certificate every nine weeks.  These students will participate in a celebration at the end of each quarter.  Students with perfect attendance for the entire school year and/or multiple years will be recognized at our Annual Awards Program.