ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chronic Absenteeism
Surry County High School is dedicated to academic achievement and success for all pupils. Regular school attendance is a critical part of that success. Increasingly, attendance has been the focus of attention among school divisions and educators. According to research, regular attendance is a significant factor in a student’s success. Excessive absenteeism has been correlated to low academic achievement and is a powerful predictor of high school graduation. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason, including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. Based on a 180-day school year, that equates to approximately 18 days per year or 2 to 3 days per month. In the 2022-2023 school year, SCHS had a chronic absenteeism rate of 18%. That is a 50% reduction from the 2021-2022 school year. This means that over one-third of our student body missed 10% or more of the school year due to absences (not related to COVID-19).
Truancy vs. Chronic Absenteeism
It is important to know the difference between chronic absenteeism and truancy. Chronic absenteeism counts all absences, including excused, unexcused, suspensions, court orders, etc. Truancy counts unexcused absences only.
Attendance Action Plan
Missed instruction, regardless of the reason, can have significant academic consequences. Therefore, the broader emphasis is on improving attendance for every student. Our school is committed to increasing the attendance rate for all students. As we continue to grow as a school community, attendance monitoring will be one of our foremost goals to ensure that our students are in school every day and on time. We have established an attendance team, composed of administrators, teachers, counselors, and students, to establish plans for addressing our chronic absenteeism rate and create positive incentives for students who attend school daily. Please contact Mr. Pope or Mr. Neal for more information about our attendance action plan. There are more awards and field trips to come. Stay tuned, and keep coming to school every day and on time!
Safety Drills
SCHS will conduct several safety drills this school year, including fire/evacuation, lockdown, and weather-related drills. Please reference the letter linked here about annual lockdown drills. Contact the main office if you have any questions or concerns.
Class Dues
Class dues are required of all students for the 2023-2024 school year, and on. Dues must be paid in order to attend the junior/senior prom and to graduate . Class dues are listed below. Please see Mrs. Carey, the school bookkeeper, to pay your dues and/or check if you need to pay dues for this year and last year.
