Regular school attendance is essential to school success. Please make attending school and arriving on time a family priority. It is the parents’ responsibility to call the school the day of a child’s absence. Please send a written note with the student on their first day back after being absent to verify the parents’ knowledge of the absence. The note should be dated, state the specific reason for the child’s absence and should be written by the parent or legal guardian. The following reason constitute excused absences: Illness of the student Mental or physical incapacity of student Death in the family Quarantine when ordered by health officials Aid of the student needed during a period of emergency in the home Bad weather (hurricane, snow storm, etc.) All student absences not covered under the above are classified as unexcused. Fort Bragg/Pope Schools as part of the Department of Defense Education Activity has incorporated a simple policy to address the issues of truancy and absence from school. It is as follows: If a student has: 6 absences (or 6 tardies) – a letter will be sent to the sponsor from the school principal with a letter attached from the Fort Bragg Garrison Commander and the Pope AFB Commander, which indicates their support of the educational process in the Fort Bragg Schools. 12 absences (or 12 tardies) – a letter will be sent to the sponsor from the principal – stressing the importance of students being in school. The principal reserves the right to forward a copy of this letter to the superintendent and/or sponsor’s chain of command. 18 absences (or 18 tardies) – a letter will be sent to the sponsor from the principal, through the superintendent, again emphasizing the importance of the student being in school and indicating the sponsor’s command has also been notified. The notification to the command may include any extenuating circumstances known to the school, i.e., extended illnesses, etc. The superintendent reserves the right to forward this letter or not. Instances in which there are unusual circumstances, i.e., accident, hospital stay, extended illness, etc., will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Utilization of Fort Bragg Schools resources, such as the schools’ social worker may be considered. Eighteen absences from school, in a year, will seriously impact the success of any child. We must be cognizant of the need for families to spend some quality time together, however, as educators; we hope that some of this quality time will be spent by visiting the classroom, going on school study trips, or volunteering in the school. We support you as parents and military service members, and we appreciate your support of us in our efforts to educate your children.