Attendance Question & Answers
Laing's Attendance Clerk is Annette Seabrook
Email: annette_seabrook@charleston.k12.sc.us
Fax # 843-849-2895
ATTENDANCE
A student’s regular attendance at school is critical to academic success. While a student may
receive make-up work and notes from other students, nothing can replace the interaction
between student and teacher in the classroom. In addition, attendance is required for promotion
and/or credit. Students in grades K-8 may not be eligible for promotion if they have more than
ten (10) unlawful and/or unexcused absences. Students with ten (10) or more absences will also
be required to attend a truancy conference and complete a truancy contract. Parent/Guardian
attendance is mandatory at this conference. Students who miss 50% or more of the
instructional day (12:00 PM is considered the midpoint of the day) will be counted absent
for the day.
When a student is scheduled or expected to leave school early, he/she is required to
bring a signed note from a parent to the main office during homeroom.
All absences require written explanation from the parent/guardian and must be submitted
to the front office within 3 days of return. Text messages are not acceptable documentation
to update attendance.
Lawful absences shall include but are not limited to:
● absences caused by a student’s own illness and whose attendance in school would
endanger his or her health and the health of others; the principal shall require a
physician’s note from the parent/legal guardian of a student reported continuously
absent for illness.
● absences due to an illness or death in the student’s immediate family - 3 days max
● absences due to a recognized religious holiday of the student’s faith - 2 days max
● absences due to activities that are approved two weeks in advance by the principal.
Approved activities include the following: - state and national competitions - ceremonies
honoring outstanding students
● work approved or sponsored by the school, the school district, or the state department
of education, accepted by the associate superintendent or school principal or their
designees as reason for excusing the student (i.e. career day shadow)
● out-of-school suspension
● in-school suspension
● field trips approved by the principal or designee
● Parent notes (excused or unexcused) will be accepted until the 10th Parent note
Unlawful Absences include but are not limited to:
● absences of a student without the knowledge of his/her parents/legal guardians
● absences of a student without acceptable cause with the knowledge of his/her
parents/legal guardians
● 11th absence and subsequent absences must require a doctor’s note upon return.
All absences are defined as lawful (excused, unexcused) or unlawful. An excused lawful
absence (including excused tardiness) shall permit a student to make up work missed during
the absence.
EARLY DISMISSAL
When a student is scheduled or expected to leave school early, he/she is required to bring a
dismissal note with the appropriate contact information to include the parent's signature. The
student must show the note to the main office during homeroom. Notes are subject to
verification. The student should report to the main office at the time of his/her dismissal to be
signed out. The cut off for early dismissal is 3pm.
TARDIES
It is important for students to arrive at school on time. In the event that a student arrives late,
he/she MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian when signing in the main office. No
student will be allowed to sign himself/herself in or out. Students with four or more tardies per
quarter may be subject to lunch/recess detention.
