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By Ronda Wertman
Tribune Correspondent
KEYSER - As report cards come home, parents should not only pay attention to their student’s grades, but also to their attendance record.
As the second semester gets underway now is the perfect time to make sure students have the good attendance that they need to succeed.
Attendance is important for students of all ages, but for those teens wanting to get their driver’s license, it’s crucial.
The West Virginia Board of Education recognizes driving as a privilege and students 15 to 18 must meet the requirements for attendance, behavior and academics to earn and keep their license.
Students can lose their license or permit if he or she withdraws from school or has over 10 consecutive and 15 total unexcused absences from the same class or classes, during the school year.
In order to regain their license or permit, students must attend school regularly and show satisfactory progress in the next semester before applying to have their driving privileges reinstated.
Behavior can also result in the suspension of a student’s license or permit if a student is suspended for behaviors committed at an educational facility, at a school-sponsored function, or on a school bus. These include
assault and battery, possession of a deadly weapons, sale of narcotic drugs, felonies, possession of controlled substances and more.
Along with maintaining attendance and good behavior, students age 15-17 must obtain five credits at the end of each school year with three of the five credits being a core class.
It is best that students work hard not to lose their driving privileges, but those who do lose them because of attendance can get their license or permit back by attending one full semester with no unexcused absences.
To be reinstated following suspension for grades, students must wait one complete academic year to show that five credits were earned - three of them from core subjects.
Reinstatement relating to suspension or expulsion can be attained only after all disciplinary sentences have been served.
There are many cases where students can be excused from school and parents need to take the appropriate steps when these occur, including:
- Physical or mental incapacity of the student may be verified by the parent or guardian not to exceed five) days per semester. Verification by a physician is required when the absences exceeds five total days.
- Hazardous conditions.
- Serious illness or death in the immediate family of the student not to exceed three days.
- Observances of religious holidays.
- Leaves of educational values with prior approval of the school principal not to exceed ten days.
- Calamity such as fire in the home or flood.
- Legal obligations with written verification.
- Medical/dental appointments with written verification.
When a student has been absent for any of these reasons, a note from home is requested on the day the student returns to school. Parents should be sure to include the student’s name, grade, and the dates and reason for absence. Parents need to sign and date the note.
If a student has excessive absences, an excuse signed by a qualified health care professional will be required in order for the absences to be excused.
Parents with questions about their student’s attendance should contact the school.
By Ronda Wertman
Tribune Correspondent
KEYSER - As report cards come home, parents should not only pay attention to their student’s grades, but also to their attendance record.
As the second semester gets underway now is the perfect time to make sure students have the good attendance that they need to succeed.
Attendance is important for students of all ages, but for those teens wanting to get their driver’s license, it’s crucial.
The West Virginia Board of Education recognizes driving as a privilege and students 15 to 18 must meet the requirements for attendance, behavior and academics to earn and keep their license.
Students can lose their license or permit if he or she withdraws from school or has over 10 consecutive and 15 total unexcused absences from the same class or classes, during the school year.
In order to regain their license or permit, students must attend school regularly and show satisfactory progress in the next semester before applying to have their driving privileges reinstated.
Behavior can also result in the suspension of a student’s license or permit if a student is suspended for behaviors committed at an educational facility, at a school-sponsored function, or on a school bus. These include
assault and battery, possession of a deadly weapons, sale of narcotic drugs, felonies, possession of controlled substances and more.
Along with maintaining attendance and good behavior, students age 15-17 must obtain five credits at the end of each school year with three of the five credits being a core class.
It is best that students work hard not to lose their driving privileges, but those who do lose them because of attendance can get their license or permit back by attending one full semester with no unexcused absences.
To be reinstated following suspension for grades, students must wait one complete academic year to show that five credits were earned - three of them from core subjects.
Reinstatement relating to suspension or expulsion can be attained only after all disciplinary sentences have been served.
There are many cases where students can be excused from school and parents need to take the appropriate steps when these occur, including:
- Physical or mental incapacity of the student may be verified by the parent or guardian not to exceed five) days per semester. Verification by a physician is required when the absences exceeds five total days.
- Hazardous conditions.
- Serious illness or death in the immediate family of the student not to exceed three days.
- Observances of religious holidays.
- Leaves of educational values with prior approval of the school principal not to exceed ten days.
- Calamity such as fire in the home or flood.
- Legal obligations with written verification.
- Medical/dental appointments with written verification.
When a student has been absent for any of these reasons, a note from home is requested on the day the student returns to school. Parents should be sure to include the student’s name, grade, and the dates and reason for absence. Parents need to sign and date the note.
If a student has excessive absences, an excuse signed by a qualified health care professional will be required in order for the absences to be excused.
Parents with questions about their student’s attendance should contact the school.
