St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Tardy and Absence Policy

In accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 17:233 we are notifying you in writing of the state attendance policy regarding unexcused absences, tardies and check-outs. You are hereby notified of your legal responsibility to enforce your child’s attendance at school and the civil penalties that may be incurred if the student is determined to be habitually absent or habitually tardy.

Please note for future reference:

Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:221 and 17:233 states that:

A student shall be considered habitually absent or tardy after the fifth unexcused absence or fifth unexcused check-in or check-out within any school semester.

The parent or legal guardian of a student shall enforce the attendance of the student at the school to which the student is assigned.

Any student who is a juvenile and who is habitually absent or tardy from school shall be reported to the family or juvenile court of the parish or city as a truant child, there to be dealt with in such manner as the court may determine.

Whoever violates these provisions may:

· Be fined not less that $25 and not more than $250 for each offense or

· Imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both

· Complete 40 hours of school/community service or

· A combination of 40 hours of school/community service and

· Attendance in parenting classes/family counseling sessions/court approved programs or

· Suspension of any recreational license issued by the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries.

· Denial/Suspension of student’s driver’s permit or license issued by the Department of Public Safety & Corrections.

What this means to you…

Ø Elementary students must be in attendance a minimum of 167 days, which means they can miss no more than eight days.

Ø Upon third unexcused absence, tardy or check-out from school, a notification letter will be sent from the school level that must be signed and returned and kept on file.

Ø Absences of three or more consecutive days must be verified by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner licensed in the state of Louisiana in order to be excused.

Ø Once a child reaches the fifth unexcused absence, tardy or check-out, it becomes a TASC (truancy) Officer issue. Parents will be contacted by the Truancy Officer to set up a mandatory meeting to address your child’s violation of state attendance laws.

Ø St. Tammany Parish attendance policy may be found in the District Handbook for Students and Parents on page 6.