Student Absences

Student absences are initially recorded as “Unexcused”. In order for their absence to be excused they must meet the criteria outlined by statute and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Lawful Absences
The superintendent, principal, or teacher who is in charge of a school has the right to excuse a student temporarily from attendance on account of sickness or other unavoidable cause.
(Below are the valid/lawful excuses for temporary nonattendance of a student atschool.)
1. Illness or Injury: When the absence results from illness or injury which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.
2. Quarantine: When isolation of the student is ordered by the local health officer or by the State Board of Health.
3. Death in the Immediate Family: When the absence results from the death of a member of the immediate family of the student. For the purpose of this regulation, the immediate family of a student includes, but is not necessarily limited to, grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters.
4. Medical or Dental Appointments: When the absence results from a medical or dental appointment of a student.
5. Court or Administrative Proceedings: When the absence results from the attendance of a student at the proceedings of a court or an administrative tribunal if the student is a party to the action or under subpoena as a witness. The Local Board of Education can be considered an administrative tribunal.
6. Religious Observance: School principals are required to authorize a minimum of two excused absences each academic year for religious observances required by faith of a student or a student’s parents. The student shall be given the opportunity to make up any tests or other work missed due to this excused absence. (S.L. 2010-112)
7. Educational Opportunity: When it is demonstrated that the purpose ofthe absence is to take advantage of a valid education opportunity, such as travel. Approval for such an absence must be granted prior to the absence. This would include, but is not limited to, a student serving as a legislative page or a governor’s page.
8. Local School Board Policy: LEAs may excuse temporary or occasional absences for other reasons in accordance with local school board policies, provided that the student has been in attendance for at least one-half of a school day during the current school year.
9. Absence Related to Deployment Activities: A student whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting for the purpose of visiting said parent or legal guardian. (G.S. 115C-407.5Article V (E))
10. Child Care: Absences due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child of whom the student is the custodial parent are to be coded excused (lawful). (G.S.115C-375.5)

When your child is absent please be sure to send in an excuse note immediately upon their return to school. Please be sure to include the reason for your child’s absence. A parent note or a doctor’s note is sufficient for an absence due to illness. You may send the note to the main office with your child, have it faxed to 252-249-1316, or email it to greg.rohrman@arapahoecharter.org 

While you are not required to notify your child’s bus driver, it is helpful if you do. Please use the contact information your child’s bus driver provided you for making that contact.

Please refer to the Parent / Student Handbook for more details regarding student attendance.