Fred T Foard High

(BOE Policy 4.2000) School attendance is central to educational achievement and school success. High school students must be present for 60 of the 90 minutes to be counted present for the class period. Students who are absent from a class for more than eight (8) days during a semester shall not receive credit for the course. Students will receive a grade of FF (Failure Due to Attendance) and have a right to appeal to the  principal via the Attendance Policy Waiver Form.  

When a student is absent, a ParentSquare message or valid written excuse must be presented to the office within three school days of the student’s return or the absence(s) will be coded “unexcused.” Excuse notes prepared and signed by parents will be accepted for five (5) absences during each semester. Written documentation from a doctor, dentist, or court official must be submitted in order for absences beyond the limit of five parent-approved absences per semester to be officially coded as “excused.”

Lawful absences and tardies are the following:

1. student illness or injury 

2. quarantine 

3. death in the immediate family

4. medical/dental appointments 

5. court or administrative appearance by the student 

6. religious observances

7. educational opportunity

8. student pregnancy and parenting

Students that are exempt still have the option to take the final exam and it will count only if it improves the overall grade. All teacher-made exams will count 20% of the final grade. Students cannot be exempt from NC End of Course and State CTE Final Exams.

Students can be exempt from teacher-made final exams if they do not exceed five (5) absences (excused or unexcused) and have a final course average of “C” or higher. Also, two unexcused tardies documented in PowerSchool will equal one absence in regard to exam exemption. Any violation of the Catawba County Board of Education's Code of Conduct resulting in ISS or OSS during the class period for the semester negates the student’s exam exemption opportunity. Classes missed for school-sponsored activities or administrator-approved college/military visits will not count against the student's attendance. 

All missed class work should be turned in within the number of days absent plus one.  Example: If a student is absent Monday and Tuesday then all missed work is due on Friday.  Principals reserve the right to deny make-up work for students who have an excessive amount of unexcused absences.