Attendance Information
Attendance/Truancy Information:
HCS Attendance/Truancy Information
HCS 2025-2026 Attendance Policy Updates
HCS Elementary School Students
Consistent school attendance is critical for student achievement. If students are not present, they cannot benefit from classroom instruction. State attendance laws require student attendance for course credit and grade-level promotion. Additionally, state attendance laws require intervention when a student is deemed truant.
Attendance for Promotion/Retention Purposes
Elementary students with more than eight (8) medical notes may be asked to participate in make-up (if available) or be asked to participate in summer learning opportunities.
Excused Absences
· An absence is considered excused if a valid medical doctor's written note (with the date & time the student was seen) is provided within 3 school days after the absence. Online Medical visits with medical notes and/or screenshots that contain the student's name, date of birth, and results of the online visit (prescription, number of days out before the student's return to school, etc.)
· An absence for bereavement, due to a death in the student's immediate family, may be excused if an obituary or program of service verifying the death is provided to the attendance clerk within 3 school days after the student returns to school.
· An absence for a nationally recognized religious holiday of the student's faith may be excused if a request is made in writing to the principal and written approval is received prior to the absence.
· Parents are allowed to submit up to six (6) notes per school year to excuse student absences for any reason they deem necessary.
o Notes may be submitted in advance of a planned absence.
o For unplanned absences, parent notes must be submitted within three (3) school days after the student returns.
o Late notes (submitted after the three-day window) will not be accepted, and the absence will remain unexcused.
o Parent notes will not be accepted during designated state testing dates.
A student is considered truant:
- After three (3) consecutive all-day absences, or five (5) cumulative all-day absences which are not excused by a medical doctor's written statement, proof of bereavement, or parent note; or,
- After an elementary school student has accumulated ten (10) or more unexcused tardy or early release (Note: Tardiness in middle and high schools is considered a disciplinary issue.
Bell Schedule:
Doors open: 7:00am
1st Bell: 7:30am
Tardy Bell: 7:35am
Dismissal: 2:30pm
Students who arrive AFTER 7:35 are tardy and MUST be walked into the front office by an adult and signed in. Any student who is signed out before 2:30 will be marked as an unexcused early dismissal (unless an excuse is provided).
We highly encourage using (PowerSchool) https://myps.horrycountyschools.net/public/home.html to monitor your student’s attendance and grades. This is a great tool.
If you do not know your username and password, please call the school at 843-347-4684. (DO NOT CLICK CREAT ACCOUNT)
All excuses or attendance related questions can be emailed to:
WESAttendance@horrycountyschools.net
(paper copies may be sent in with the student as well)
Outside Therapies - HCS Policy​
If a parent chooses to use a provider other than what is offered through Horry County Schools, Services should be scheduled outside of the school day so that it will not interfere with his/her academic success. We realize that some appointments cannot be made outside of the school day; therefore, if it is absolutely necessary to remove your child from school for the therapy appointments, we strongly recommend that the days/times during the school week are alternated from week-to-week, so your student is not missing large amounts of time in one particular class. Please understand that we want to work collaboratively with you to provide service for your child.
South Carolina’s attendance requirements and truancy guidelines will be enforced. Please also understand that at no time will we excuse siblings who do not have a therapy appointment. If a student misses the same instructional time for 3 consecutive days/weeks, the therapy notes will be unexcused.
Thank you for helping to ensure that students are in school every day they are well. Please reserve family trips for scheduled school holidays.
Erica Barresi
DQC/ Attendance/ Records/ Registrar
Waccamaw Elementary School
251 Claridy Rd.
Conway, SC 29526
843-347-4684
843-234-6004
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