5324 Murray Lane
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615)472-4250

Brentwood Middle School

ATTENDANCE

Upon Returning From an absence:

A student who has been absent must present a note to the office the day the child returns to school (please do not call).  The note should include the student's first and last name, the number of days the student has been absent, the explanation of the absence, and the signature of the parent or guardian.  The student will be given an absentee slip from the office.  The note is taken to each teacher upon entering the classes throughout the day.  Teachers will sign the note.  The last teacher the student has for the day will file the note in the office. 

Tardy Students:

When tardy to school, a student is to first report to the office, sign in, and then receive an unexcused note to enter class. Excused tardies will need a parent to come in to school and verify the reason. If a student has 4 unexcused tardies, the student will be assigned a Saturday School.  Students will receive a Saturday School after every 4 unexcused tardies.  After a student has been issued 4 Saturday School's the student will receive an In School Suspension for every tardy issued after that.

Excused Absences and Unexcused Absences:

Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present each day that school is in session.  The principal is responsible for checking all reasons offered for excuses.  Questionable and/or prolonged absences will be investigated.  After the 10th excused absence, the student will have to have a doctor's note for all days that are missed. Conditions for which a student's absence may be excused are:

• Illness of the student.  (The principal may require a doctor's note.)

• Illness in the immediate family that requires the absence of the student from school.  (The principal may require a doctor's note.)

• Death in the immediate family.

• Religious holidays (The principal may require a statement from the minister or another recognized by the given religious group.)

• Absences for other reasons may be excused, if in the judgment of the principal, circumstances warrant. (For complete language see Board Policies)

All missed class work or tests from excused absences may be made up provided the student makes the request immediately upon returning to school and arrange to complete the work outside the regular instructional time.  Make-up work should be completed for the first day missed within three days after return to school.  Make up work for days missed in succession will be due in the succeeding days following the third day. 

Do not request work prior to a student's absence or during their absence; you may request work upon the students return.  Parents are asked to work with the teacher on getting tests taken when there has been an absence.

Students who have had 5 unexcused absences during a school year will have violated the attendance policy of the system.  In these circumstances, truancy petitions may be filed with the Juvenile Court by the building principal.

Tardies/EARLY DISMISSALS

A regular pattern of morning tardies and/or early dismissals in the afternoon can become an attendance concern and may result in filing a parental neglect petition with the Juvenile Court.  After 10 excused morning tardies, a doctor's note will be required.  Parents are urged to schedule dental and medical appointments outside the school day.  When such appointment cannot be scheduled outside school hours, parents should follow the early dismissal policy.

If a student needs to be dismissed early, the student should present a note to the office at the beginning of the day (before homeroom).  The student should then report to the office at the appropriate time to check out with the parent.  The parent signs the student out of the building and logs the time of dismissal from class until the parent comes to pick the child up.  At that time we will call the student's room for dismissal.

Students are considered tardy if they are not in class by 7:35.  Parents, you will need to sign your child in if he/she is late for reasons other than a doctor's appointment.

Undocumented tardies and early dismissals will be considered unexcused absences from school.  After ten absences (excused or unexcused), a doctor's excuse will be required for any other absences. (see Board Policies)

For early dismissals, students should present a note to the teacher at the time of dismissal.  The student should then report to the office at the appropriate time to check out with the parent.  The parent will need to sign the student out of the building, logging  the time of dismissal.  In order to have a safe and orderly dismissal, there will be no early dismissals after 2:15 p.m.

Pre-Arranged Absence Forms:

Pre-Arranged Absence Form

Absences for other reasons than the above may be excused at the discretion of the principal if the required form is completed two weeks in advance (a phone call does not suffice). Parents need to complete the top portion of the form and return it to the main office. If approved the principal, the student will take a form to all classes for teacher's signatures ahead of time (Do not contact teachers first.)  Factors that the principal considers when excusing request would be the attendance, grade records, and work habits of the student, as well as the nature of the absence. Do not ask for homework to be given ahead of time; teachers do not have to give work prior to an excused absence.