Attendance

HCS Attendance Policy:

High School Hours: 8:15 AM–3:15 PM
Checkout Cut-Off: 2:45 PM

Students must attend the full day unless authorized to leave by school officials.

Absence: Not attending an assigned class, program, or activity.
Tardiness: Not being in the assigned location at the designated time.
Checkout: Leaving before the official end of the school day.

Absence Notes:

• Limit: 5 handwritten parent notes per school year.

• Submit all excuses within 3 school days of returning.

• Include the reason and a parent/guardian or doctor’s signature.

Excused Absences (with proper documentation):
Doctor/Dentist appt • Court • Religious • Personal illness• Family illness/death • Post-secondary visits/interviews

Unexcused Absences:
Woke up late • Driving school • Senior pictures • Family vacation

Students who miss 10% or more of school days (excused or unexcused) are considered chronically absent.

Email Excuses: DHSAttendance@henry.k12.ga.us

**Refer to pages 8-10 in the HCS Handbook for more information.**

If Your Student is Absent

• Return a note on the first day back.

• Include the reason, and a parent/doctor signature.

• Notes must be returned within 3 days.

• Limit: 5 handwritten notes per school year

• Email notes to DHSAttendance@henry.k12.ga.us

• Extension: 106

Excused Absences:

• Doctor’s appointment

• Mandated court appearance

• Religious holiday

• Personal illness

Unexcused Absences:

• Woke up late

• Driving school

• Senior pictures

• Family vacation

Students missing 10% or more of school days (excused or unexcused) are considered chronically absent.

All excuses for absences must be submitted within three days of returning to school.

How Families Can Support

• Encourage daily, on-time attendance from 8:15 AM–3:15 PM.
• Monitor your scholar’s attendance regularly in Infinite Campus and enable attendance alerts.
• Stay informed of schedule changes, testing schedules, and adjusted bell schedules.
• Submit all attendance excuses and documentation within the required timeframe.

Change of Transportation (Early Pick-Up) Procedures:

Guardians requesting an early check-out by someone who is not listed in Infinite Campus must submit an email to the Attendance Office.

The email must include:

• The full name of the individual who will be picking up the student
• The guardian’s signature
• A photocopy of the photo ID of the guardian listed in Infinite Campus for verification

Students who are 18 years old or older may check themselves out; however, they must have digital authorization via email from a guardian.

Transportation changes will not be accepted over the telephone or by handwritten letter.

This documentation must be submitted each time a student is checked out early.