Definitions/Clarifications of Gallatin County Attendance Policy
ABSENT is the missing of more than 120 minutes of the school day. This includes being absent from all scheduled activities such as all classes, field trips, assemblies, etc. TARDY is being absent for 120 minutes or less. This includes arriving late or leaving early (Checking In or Checking Out).
-
Doctor's Notes: Medical appointments and illnesses that require a doctor visit will be excused and will be condered an additonal excused absence. Documentation must be a physician's certified statement indicating that the student was seen by the doctor and was unable to attend school. Doctor's notes must be received by the school within 2 days of the absence. After 10 doctors' excuses, students may be required to have thier physician complete a Gallatin County Schools Medical Excuse Form (available from each school's attendance leader or the district Director of Pupil Personnel)
-
Parents Notes: As outlined by KRS 159.150 and Boar Policy 09.123, the school will accept five (5) parent notes each school year to excuse student absences. Parent notes on paper will be the only form accepted from each school (no emailed notes or phone calls).
Excused Events/Absences and Verifiable Documentation:
- Personal illness* without a doctor’s visit (up to five per school year with a parent note)
- Medical/dental/vision appointment (documentation is required from a physician)
- Death in the immediate family **, (funeral notice is required as documentation)
- School activities (documentation will be provided by the school)
- Driver’s Test ( a copy of the student’s newly received Driver’s License will serve as documentation and only a ½ day absence will be allowed one time during a student’s four year school career)
- Permit Test (a copy of the student’s newly received Permit to Drive will serve as documentation and only a ½ day absence will be allowed one time during a student’s four year school career)
- Court appearance (written documentation from the court is required)
- Religious holidays and practices as pre-arranged with the Principal
- Documented military leave (one (1) day prior to departure of parent/guardian called to active military duty; one (1) day upon the return of parent/guardian from active military duty.
- Student attendance at the Kentucky State Fair (one day only, as approved by the Principal)
- Emergencies declared by the principal and pre-approved (the principal will provide the documentation for emergency absences through a written note to the Attendance Leader). When a student or parent needs to request an emergency principal’s note, the parent or student must get pre-approved written permission from the principal PRIOR to the absence. A maximum of two (2) emergency principal’s notes can be given per school year to each student.
Students shall be granted an excused absence for up to ten (10) school days to pursue an educational enhancement opportunity (EHO) determined by the Principal to be of significant educational value. The EHO must be submitted to the principal in writing prior to the event or trip. This type of absence cannot occur during any of the school’s district-wide assessments, unless there are extenuating circumstances that are approved by the Director of Pupil Personnel. If you have students in more than one school, a request must be made to each school principal. Principals have identical guidelines that are to be followed for EHO.
*Students with chronic or recurring personal illnesses or family illnesses are required to have a doctor’s note on file with the school. Students with excessive absences due to illness who also have a request from a physician may be placed on Home Hospital.
**Immediate family is defined by Gallatin County Schools as mother, father, brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, close cousin (first, second, or third), mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and legal guardian
