Academic Achievement
Students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve academic success, graduate on time, and pursue higher education opportunities.
Social and Emotional Development
School provides a supportive environment where students can develop social skills, build friendships, and enhance their emotional well-being.
Future Success
Regular attendance instills valuable habits such as punctuality, responsibility, and commitment, which are essential for success in life.
We maintain clear and consistent attendance policies, emphasizing the importance of regular school attendance.
We strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel valued and connected.
We identify and address attendance concerns early, working collaboratively with families to find solutions.
We collaborate with community partners to provide resources and support to families facing barriers to attendance.
Communicate with the school: If your child experiences challenges that affect their attendance, please reach out to the school for support and resources. We are your partner and here to help you however we can.
Encourage a love of learning: Foster a positive attitude towards school and learning by engaging in educational activities with your child at home. If there are areas where your child’s school or academic experience can improve, we encourage you to speak with your school principal or educator.
Establish a consistent routine: Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and has ample time to prepare for school each morning. If you need help with providing meals for your child or are in need of transportation, please contact your child’s principal.
Schedule appointments outside of school hours: Whenever possible, schedule doctor's appointments, dental check-ups, and other appointments during non-school hours. Even missing a half day of school for an appointment can be disruptive to your child’s academic experience.
It is important that you contact your child’s school if your child is absent from school.
On the day of your student’s absence, you will receive a ParentSquare notification via phone call, text, or email even if the absence has been reported via our district system. Contacting parents and guardians of students who are not in class is an important measure undertaken by the District to ensure the safety of all of our students.
Absences that are not excused may result in disciplinary action.
All absences are considered unexcused, until the school receives a note or email documenting a valid reason for the absence. If the reason isn’t valid, the absence is still considered unexcused. If the note isn’t received within [##] days, the absence is considered unexcused. If a note is received within [##] days, the absence may be reclassified as excused. Unexcused absences are considered “unlawful absences” if the student is of compulsory school age.
[School District Name] recognizes that there may be legitimate reasons for absences, such as illness, family emergencies, or religious observances. Parents/guardians are required to provide documentation to excuse absences. Documentation must be submitted within [##] of days after the absence occurs.
A student absence is considered excused under the following circumstances:
Students who miss a significant number of school days, regardless of the reason, are considered chronically absent and may face academic and social challenges. Paris Special School District is committed to working with families to address chronic absenteeism and support student success. We are committed to your child’s success and we are your partner. Together, we can set your student up for success!
The Board requires that school-aged pupils enrolled in District schools attend school regularly in accordance with state laws. The educational program offered by Paris Special School District is predicated upon the presence of the pupil and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation. Please refer to [Site Name linked to URL] for more information.
T.C.A. 49-6–3001 – School Age - (c) (1) Every parent, guardian or other person residing within this state having control or charge of any child or children between six (6) years of age and seventeen (17) years of age, both inclusive, shall cause such child or children to attend public or non-public school, and in event of failure to do so, shall be subject to the penalties hereinafter provided. (The courts have ruled that the word "inclusive" requires a child to attend school until the day before his/her eighteenth birthday.)
T.C.A. 49-6–3007 – Attendance and truancy reports. - (e) (1) It is the duty of the principal or teacher of every public, private or parochial school to report promptly to the superintendent, or to the superintendent’s designated representative, the names of all children who have withdrawn from school, or who have been absent five (5) days (this means an aggregate of five (5) days during the school year and not necessarily five (5) consecutive days) without adequate excuse. Each successive accumulation of five (5) unexcused absences by a student shall also be reported.
T.C.A. 49-6–3009 – Penalty for Violations - (a) Any parent, guardian or other person who has control of a child, or children, and who violates the provisions of this part commits a Class C misdemeanor. (b) Each day's unlawful absence constitutes a separate offense.
T.C.A. 40-35–111 – Terms of Imprisonment or Fines - (3) Class C misdemeanor, not greater than thirty (30) days or a fine not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00), or both, unless otherwise provided by statute.
Further questions may be directed to:
Joey Brush, Attendance Supervisor
731-642-9322 ext. 02
We believe that strong partnerships between families and schools are essential for ensuring student success. By working together, we can create a culture of attendance where every student feels motivated and supported to attend school every day.