Parent and Student Notification Form (pdf file)

When a student is absent, a written excuse is to be brought to school explaining the reason for the absence. This excuse is to be brought to school within three school days of each absence, as required by Muscogee County school District policy. It is the responsibility of the parent, guardian, or person in control of a child or children to ensure that the school receives each and every written excuse.

Children may be temporarily excused from school (1) when they are personally ill and their attendance in school would endanger their health or the health of others; (2) when in the immediate family there is a serious illness or death which would reasonably necessitate absence from school; (3) on special and recognized religious holidays observed by their faith; (4) when mandated by order of governmental agencies (e.g., pre-induction physical examination for military service or court order); (5) principal’s approval of attendance at school related experiences.

Every student in Muscogee County receives a Student Behavior Code and Disciplinary Handbook, which describes the attendance policy adopted by the Muscogee County School District (The Handbook, page 14, Rule 9 and Section XV, page 25 & 26). It is the responsibility of the student and parent, guardian or person in control to read and understand the contents of the handbook. Also, for the purpose of monitoring school and class attendance, it is the responsibility of the parent, guardian or person in control to initiate regular contact with school personnel to ensure that their child attends school and class regularly.

The 2004 Georgia General Assembly passed a new law earlier this year that is in effect for the 2004-2005 school year, a law which pertains to every school district in Georgia. This is a statewide law/requirement and not the result of a local policy decision of the Muscogee County School District. The new state law, O.C.G.A. §20-2-690.1, provides the following:

1. Every parent, guardian, or other person residing within this state having control or charge of any child or children between their sixth and sixteenth birthday shall enroll and send such child or children to a public school, a private school, or a home study program that meets the requirements for a public school, a private school, or a home study program; and such child shall be responsible for enrolling in and attending a public school, a private school, or a home study program that meets the requirements for a public school, a private school, or a home study program under such penalty for noncompliance with this subsection as is provided in Chapter 11 of Title 15, unless the child’s failure to enroll and attend is caused by the child’s parent, guardian, or other person, in which case the parent, guardian, or other person alone shall be responsible; provided, however, that tests and physical exams for military service and the National Guard and such other approved absences shall be excused absences. The requirements of this subsection shall apply to a child between his or her seventh and sixteenth birthdays who has been assigned by a local board of education or its delegate to attend an alternative public school program established by that local board of education, including an alternative public school program provided for in Code Section 20-02-154.1, regardless of whether such child has been suspended or expelled from another public school program by that local board of education or its delegates, and to the parent, guardian, or other person residing in this state who has control or charge of such child. Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require a local board of education or its delegate to assign a child to attend an alternative public school program rather than suspending or expelling the child.
   
2. Any parent, guardian, or other person residing in this state who has control or charge of a child or children and who shall violate this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine not less than $25.00 and not greater than $100.00, imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of such penalties, at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction. Each day’s absence from school in violation of this part after the child’s school system notifies the parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence for a child shall constitute a separate offense. After two reasonable attempts to notify the parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence without response, the school system shall send a notice to such parent, guardian, or other person by certified mail, return receipt requested. Public schools shall provide to the parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of each child enrolled in public school a written summary of possible consequences and penalties for failing to comply with compulsory attendance under this Code section for children and their parents, guardians, or other persons having control or charge of children. The parent, guardian, or other person who has control or charge of a child or children shall sign a statement indicating receipt of such written statement of possible consequences and penalties; children who are age ten or older by September 1 shall sign a statement indicating receipt of such written statement of possible consequences and penalties. After two reasonable attempts by the school to secure such signature or signatures, the school shall be considered to be in compliance with this subsection if it sends a copy of the statement, via certified mail, return receipt requested, to such parent, guardian, other person who has control or charge of a child, or children. Public schools shall retain signed copies of statements through the end of the school year.

Parent and Student Notification Form

The Parent and Student Notification form is available in pdf format.

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Board of Education