School Social Worker

Answer: Every time 

Please send a written excuse/note every time a student is absent.  This is the law.  No telephone call is required.  If the school nurse sends your child home, still send a note and state this information.  For example, Please excuse Johnny Smith on August 2, 2010 since he was sick and the school nurse sent him home (sign and date it).

Answer: Every child between the ages of six and 17 are required to go to school school. 

Every child between the ages of seven and 17 must attend a public school, private school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the entire length of the school term except that every child attending a church school is exempt from the requirements of Ala. Code (1975)§16-28-3, provided such child complies with the enrollment and reporting procedure specified in Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-7 of the code. Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-3

On May 8, Bentley signed into law Senate Bill 28 lowering that the state's compulsory attendance age from 7 to 6.

Answer: Three days from when the student returns to school. Excuses must be in office within three (3) days from when the student returns to school.

For example, if a student misses Monday and returns on Tuesday, he/she must present a note either on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.  If the excused is not received by Thursday, his/her absence will be unexcused with a note by Friday.

Answer:

The Choctaw County School Social Worker can assist with:

• crisis prevention/intervention
• conflict resoultion Strategies
• individual, family, & group counseling
• development and assessment of student assistant plans
• agency referral and collaboration
• training as needed for students, parents, and staff
• clothing and school supply assistance
• attendance issues

Answer: A child who is six years of age on or before September 1 (2)* or the date on which school begins in the enrolling district shall be entitled to admission to the public elementary schools at the opening of such schools for that school year or as soon as practicable thereafter.

b. A child who becomes six years old on or before February 1 may, with the approval of the local board of education, be admitted at the beginning of the second semester in school systems having semiannual promotions of pupils.

c. A child who is five years of age on or before September 1 (2)* or the date on which school begins in the enrolling district is entitled to admission to the kindergarten program at the beginning of the school year or as soon as practicable thereafter.

d. Kindergarten or Grade 1 students who were enrolled in an Alabama private school, church school, or were being tutored in accordance with the Ala. Code (1975) and who seek admission to kindergarten or Grade 1 in the public schools must meet the age requirements for admittance as of September 1 (2)* or the opening date of school in the enrolling district. Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-4 Report of Attorney General of Alabama October-December 1963 Volume 113, page 20

Yes, assuming the school board has, and carefully complies with, a policy relating attendance to academic achievement.

Answer: Yes in the case of unexcused absences and no in the case of excused absences. Once again, the school system must have publicized and faithfully complied with a policy that equates academic achievement with attendance. Report of Attorney General of Alabama January 10, 1989

Answer: Yes in the case of unexcused absences and no in the case of excused absences because the implication is that the school system has agreed to the absence of a child under certain conditions.

Answer: 7 per semester 

Only seven (7) parental excuses per semester (14 for the year) will be accepted for such reasons as student's sickness, death of immediate family member, legal quarantine, inclement of weather which would be dangerous to the life and health of the child as determined by principal, emergency conditions as determined by the principal, and prior permission and consent of the parent or legal guardian.

If a student does not have a note, goes out of town to visit relatives, goes shopping, stays with a sick relative, has a runny nose or cough or mild stomach ache, his/her absences will be unexcused.  After all parental notes are used; a doctor's note must be submitted to receive an excused absence.

Answer: 7 

Only seven (7) unexcused days are allowed for the year.  Students will be referred to the Juvenile Court System if seven days are accumulated or a petition will be filed against the parent. 

Answer: After 5 unexcused days 

Anyone receiving five (5) or more unexcused days will attend Early Warning Court.  If the parent and student do not attend, a petition be signed on the appropriate party.  Letters, telephone calls, home visits, and/or other contacts will be attempted to assist with reducing unexcused absences prior to court. 

Answer: No. Excused absences (e.g., for illness) imply that the absences will not be counted against the student. 

Yes, assuming the school board has, and carefully complies with, a policy relating attendance to academic achievement.