Simonton Elementary's Attendance Policy

  • Learning hours are from 8:15 to 2:45 pm daily.

    Children arriving after 8:15 am are considered tardy. Frequent tardiness and early checkouts negatively impact a students’ academic performance.

    State law requires that students attend school 180 days per year. Since most subjects are taught in sequence, regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school.

    Students are excused for the following absences:
    1) personal illness
    2) a death or serious illness in the immediate family;
    3) religious holidays;
    4) court orders and
    5) Conditions which render school attendance impossible or hazardous to health and safety.


    For each absentee, a written excuse explaining the absence must be brought to school on the first day following the absence. By law, parents will be notified if their child misses more than 5 days of school. The state of Georgia considers 10 absences or tardies to be excessive. Parents of children with excessive absences or tardies can be reported to local and state agencies, which will result in meeting with the Student Attendance Review Committee (SARC).