Regular attendance in school is vital for students’ success. Excessive absences cause many students to fail. When a student is absent from school, he or she misses valuable instruction from the teacher. Students are responsible for consulting with the teachers whose classes they have missed to determine what make-up work is necessary. At Lincoln County High School students have two days to approach teachers to make arrangements for make-up work assignments. The teacher is not required to give make-up work missed due to unexcused absences and willful violation of attendance policies. When a student misses one day, he or she should get the assignments the next day and return them to the teacher promptly. If a student misses several days, he or she can fall behind quickly, and to avoid an academic emergency, the student and parents should have a plan for getting caught up. For example, make a list of all overdue assignments and the order in which they need to be completed. Focus first on preparing for upcoming tests. Make a study plan. Set aside a specific time for homework every day. Do daily work first, then overdue assignments. Get rid of diversions. No TV, no sports, and no extracurricular activities until all overdue assignments are turned in. Students who do not make up work usually fail the class because they will receive a grade of zero for work missed.

Students and parents need to be aware of all policies related to students’ absences.

At Lincoln County High School students are allowed two days (four opportunities-morning and afternoons for two days) to turn in notes for an absence or check-in. If a student fails to turn in a note, the absence is unexcused. During a nine-week period, a student may have three days absences for excusable reasons excused by a note from the parent. A note from the doctor or the court system must verify all other absences to be excused. In the event that a student receives an unexcused absence the student, parent or guardian may appeal to the school attendance committee. Students with 5 unexcused absences will be referred to the Lincoln County Attendance Review Board. After a student has been to the truancy board, further unexcused absences will result in the student’s being petitioned to juvenile court. Letters are sent to parents when students have 5 and 10 days of unexcused absences.

Another attendance policy that greatly affects students is the loss of credit in a class if the student has 15 absences (excused or unexcused) in a semester for a full credit class. For a one-half credit class, a student with 7 absences (excused or unexcused) may lose credit. An appeal may be made to the school attendance committee. The school attendance committee will meet in December before the semester ends at LCHS. Students who plan to appeal must get a form from Mr. Louis Thompson, assistant principal in charge of attendance. This form must be returned to him to be put on the agenda for that day. Students should be accompanied by their parents or guardians and should bring documentation explaining the absences.

College and scholarship information for this week includes the following:

Students who want to be considered first for scholarships at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) must submit an admission application, official ACT or SAT test scores, and an official transcript to the Admissions Office by December 1. Students who have submitted the above information by February 15 will be considered in the second round of scholarship offers, pending available funds. December ACT test scores will be accepted for scholarship purposes.

Austin Peay University has announced its Emerging Leaders Scholarship. To be eligible a student must have a 3.5 grade-point average (GPA) and a 24 ACT score. Nomination forms are in guidance.

Troy State University in Troy, Alabama, is hosting a Freshman Forum Leadership Conference January 25-26. For more information go to fresmanforum@troy.edu.

The Professional Actor Training Program at Chattanooga State is currently auditioning students for the class entering in September 2007. More information is available in guidance.

Cumberland University School of Music and Art and the Phoenix Dancers will host a Dance Festival Nov. 18. Classes, an evening performance, and a presentation on their theater and dance minor and related degree programs will be included in activities. Registration forms are available in guidance.