Attendance Policy
At East Elementary, we believe regular school attendance is essential for academic success.
Please review the following policy carefully to ensure your child remains in good standing with school and district guidelines.
North Carolina Attendance Law
North Carolina law requires all students enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th grade to attend school regularly. Students are allowed no more than 10 total absences (excused or unexcused) during the school year.
Arrival & Tardies
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The tardy bell rings at 7:20 AM.
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Students arriving after 7:20 AM must be brought into the front office by a parent or guardian and checked in using the Verkada system.
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Students who arrive after 10:45 AM without a doctor’s note will be counted absent for the full day.
Reporting an Absence If your child is absent
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Submit to the teacher a handwritten note stating the reason for the absence and the dates missed.
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Or, use the online excuse form (available in English and Spanish):
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Visit eastelementary.issnc.org
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From the homepage, click on the link that says "Student Excuse Form–English" or "Student Excuse Form–Spanish."
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Select the icon for your preferred language and fill out the required information to report your student’s absence.
Helpful Tip:
We recommend bookmarking the Student Excuse Form link on your phone for quick and easy access when needed.
Important:
You must notify your child’s homeroom teacher within 5 days of the absence. Communication through email, text, or classroom apps is helpful but does not replace the required written note or online excuse form.
Automatic Absence Notifications
If your child is absent from school, an automated phone call, text message, and/or email will be sent to the parent or guardian's contact information on file.
These notifications are to:
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Inform you that your child was marked absent.
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Remind you to submit a handwritten note or complete the Online Excuse Form to explain the absence.
Medical Appointments
If your child is absent due to a medical or dental appointment, please provide a doctor’s note to ensure the absence is excused.
Consequences of Excessive Absences or Tardies
Students with more than 10 total absences must submit a doctor’s note for every future absence.
Students with excessive tardies, early dismissals, or absences may be at risk of:
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Grade retention
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Removal from the Dual Immersion Program
Attendance Letters & Truancy
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Families will receive official letters after 3, 6, and 10 unexcused absences.
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A letter will also be sent when a student has 10 or more total absences (excused and unexcused).
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After 10 unexcused absences, the school social worker may be notified and truancy may be filed against the parent or guardian.