General Information
State law requires school attendance for students ages 7 to 16. Gwinnett County Board of Education Policy states that students will be excused from school under the following circumstances:
- Personal illness or Doctor/Dentist appointment.
- Serious illness or death in the immediate family.
- Court order. Documentation must be attached.
- Religious holidays.
- Unsafe conditions (inclement weather).
- Voter registration.
The only excused reasons for absences, check-ins, and check-outs are those listed above and verified through the following formal documentation: Doctor or hospital notes, court or government mandated papers, funeral brochures or programs.
Documentation
The student must bring a parent/guardian or doctor’s note to the Attendance Office within 2 days of returning to school. Without proper documentation, an absence will be considered unexcused. The note should include the following:
- Student full name
- Student ID
- Date
- Reason for absence
- Parent/guardian signature
- Parent/guardian phone number for verification
- Medical/court documentation, if applicable
Important Absence Policy Update
For excused absences of 4 consecutive days or more, official documentation (medical note, program/event documentation, etc) is required; handwritten notes will not be accepted for these extensive requests. Without proper documentation, these absences will be recorded as unexcused.
Additionally, please be aware that for students with 10 or more excused absences, the total number will be factored into determining further excused time. While a portion of the requested time may be excused, the full time is not guaranteed.
