Procedures and policies regarding student attendance at Salem Elementary School.
Reporting an Absence:
If your child will be absent, please notify us using one of the following methods:
Online Form:
Phone: Call 540-786-8218 and press 1
Important Reminders:
Please report your child's absence each day they are absent.
Absences should be reported no later than 9:15 a.m. on the day of the absence.
Online forms are for full-day absences only.
Thank you for helping us maintain accurate attendance records!
Attendance Terminology:
AEP: Absent Excused by a Parent
AE3: Absent Excused by 3rd Party - Documentation required
AU: Absent Unexcused (No communication from parent)
Important Information Regarding Attendance Policy
The following are excerpts from the Spotsylvania County Public Schools Policy Manual — Section J: Students, Code JED-R (Student Attendance / Participation Regulations at SCPS). These excerpts are provided here for parent/guardian awareness. For the complete and official policy, please visit the SCPS Policy Manual.
Parent/Guardian Contact
Attendance requires a collaborative effort. SCPS endeavors to partner with families to support good attendance. Attendance is compulsory by law and excessive absences, after supportive intervention, may result in student loss of privileges or referral to outside agencies.
Excused or Unexcused Absences
Each absence - An auto dialer call or personal phone call
Five (5) days (not necessarily consecutive) - written or direct personal contact shall be made by the principal or designee unless a special situation exists.
Unexcused or Excused Without Third-Party Documentation
Ten (10) days (not necessarily consecutive) - Mandatory conference must be held with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the principal or designee within ten days of the tenth absence unless a special situation exists. During this meeting, additional personnel such as a counselor or social worker may attend. The team will develop an attendance improvement plan.
Should attendance not improve following these interventions, the student's parent or guardian shall be notified that school staff will consider additional community-based interventions. This could include a referral to Spotsylvania Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law.
Source: Spotsylvania County Public Schools Policy Manual — JED-R Student Attendance / Participation Regulations at Spotsylvania County Public Schools.
More Information:
For details about our absence practices, please refer to the Parent-Student Handbook posted online at: www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us (under the Parent tab on the homepage)
To review division-wide attendance policies, visit: Spotsylvania County Public Schools Attendance Policies
Daily and punctual school attendance is essential to each student’s academic development. We appreciate your support in ensuring your child attends school. If you have any questions regarding the new attendance policy requirements, please contact us.