It is the expectation that all Franklin High School students will attend school every day school is in session. We expect parents to support us in reaching that goal. Regular, uninterrupted attendance is an essential ingredient in the learning process. The state of Tennessee requires each school to maintain an average daily attendance (AYP) rate of 95%.

The purpose of the following policies is to establish guidelines for attendance, to clarify terms used in the process, to identify who is to assume the necessary responsibilities for attendance, and primarily to foster regular attendance for all students.

Attendance Responsibilities

Students

• Be present and on time for all classes.
• Secure assignments whenever absent.
• Make sure your parents call Student Services by 9:00 AM on the day of the absence. 615-472-4457
• Bring your parent note or medical excuse to Student Services the morning following your absence.

Parents/Guardians

• Make sure your child is in school every day unless there is a valid reason.
• Call Student Services by 9:00 AM on the day your child is absent or by prearranged note prior to absence.
• Send a note to school following the absence detailing the reason for the absence. 
• For extended illness, email teachers for assignments.

Teachers

• Keep accurate attendance records and report accurate information to Student Services every period.
• Notify assistant principals of suspected skipping or other attendance irregularities.
• Give assignments to students in a timely manner whenever informed of a prearranged absence or after an excused absence or when requested by the Student Services staff.

Student Services/Attendance Secretary

• An electronic phone system will notify parents of daily absence by 10:00 AM.
• Monitor students with attendance problems.
• Send letters to parents after 5 unexcused absences and/or 10 excused absences.

Attendance Procedures

Excused Absences

Parents should phone the Office of Student Services (615-472-4457) between 7:00 AM - 9:00 A.M. the day the student is absent. The fax number for the school is 615-472-4478. Parents are to send a note or a medical excuse to school the morning following the absence. The note should contain the students' full name (first and last), date of absence, grade, and the reason for the absence.

If parents do not send in a note and only make contact by phone the absences will be considered unexcused. Excused absences may be granted for the following:

• Illness of the student.  The principal may require a doctor’s statement. Although a doctor’s statement may be required at any time for an absence to be excused, it will be required of any student that accumulates 10 or more absences of any kind.
• Illness in the immediate family, which requires absence of the student from school.  A doctor’s statement may be required.
• Death in the immediate family.  Absence should not exceed 5 days.
• Religious holidays regularly observed by persons of the student’s faith.  A statement from the minister or other person recognized by the given religious group may be required.
• Absences for other reasons as approved by administration.

Early Dismissals

Students should bring in a signed note with the time to be dismissed (not period) which includes a parent/guardian cell phone number requesting early dismissal. Notes need to be dropped off to Student Services or the Annex no later than 8:00 AM. If your student has left their note at home, a photo of a signed note may be emailed, up until 8:00 AM, to Joann Barros. We will not accept notes after the 8:00 AM cut off. After that time, you will need to come and sign your student out. No student may be dismissed after 2:25 PM.

If a student is ill at school, they will need to be dismissed via the clinic.  Student Services cannot dismiss over the phone.

Late Arrival

If a student arrives late to school, they either need to be signed in by the parent/guardian or they need to bring in a signed parent note or doctor note. If they are not signed in or do not have a note with them when they arrive late, they will receive a detention.

Absence Call Out

If a student is marked absent or late in the first few periods of the day, you will receive the daily attendance call out.  This is for any absence reason, excused or unexcused.  Attendance can be verified in Skyward.

Please remember that all parent notes need to include the students full name, grade, signature, and a parent/guardian cell phone number. This includes emailed notes.

Pre-Arranged Absences

Students must present a note from their parents detailing the date and reason for the requested absence (i.e. family trip, college visits, extracurricular competition). The note must be taken to Student Services ONE WEEK PRIOR to the requested absence. The one-week period allows grades and attendance to be verified and arrangements to be made with the teachers. 

Early Dismissal

Any student requesting an early dismissal must present a note signed by his parent/guardian in Student Services by 7:25 AM. All notes should contain the date, specific reason for leaving, the parent/guardian’s signature, and the parent/guardian’s daytime phone number. The parent/guardian will be contacted to verify the note prior to student release. The student will receive an orange dismissal form he/she is to present to the teacher at the designated time. The student is then to report to Student Services with the orange slip. Students must sign out in Student Services. No early dismissals after 2:00 PM please.

Students leaving without following the procedures of an early dismissal or check out with the school nurse will be considered skipping and will face disciplinary action.

Early Dismissal and Return on the Same Day

Students must follow the same procedures listed above and in addition sign back in at Student Services upon returning to the building and receive a pass to return to class.

Athletic or Extracurricular Activities

Students who are ill and unable to attend school on the day of an athletic or extracurricular activity will not be permitted to participate on that date. Students involved in extracurricular and athletic activities are expected to arrive at school on time and remain in school for the entire day. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by an administrator.

Field Trips

A field trip will not count as an absence, but students will be responsible for making up all work. The field trip sponsor will send a list of all students attending the field trip to the attendance secretary one week prior to departure. Only required field trips will be allowed after April 9.

Clinic

A student should report to class before requesting a pass to the clinic, guidance, or Student Services. The absence will be considered unexcused for that class period or all that are missed if this procedure is not followed. An assessment will be made by the nurse. Students who drive will be allowed to drive home if their condition and the parent/guardian allow. Students are not allowed to call parents and leave school without following the listed procedures. Failure to follow the rules will result in disciplinary action.

Checking in After an Absence

Upon returning to school after an absence, a note from a parent/guardian must be presented to the Student Services Office before school. The note should include: student name, date of absence, reason for absence, and a phone number where a parent/guardian can be reached during the day. The attendance secretary will distribute a list once a day that list all the confirmed absences.

Please read all attendance policies on the district level under District Wide Policies on this page.

Cheating is considered a serious violation of the process of education. It includes, but is not limited to, the willful giving or receiving of an unauthorized, unfair, dishonest, or unscrupulous advantage over other students in schoolwork or activities. It is not acceptable to practice plagiarism, which is the representation of another’s ideas or work as one’s own (original sources should always be cited); collusion, which is supporting the cheating/malpractice of another; duplication of work, which is presenting the same work for different assignments without prior permission from an instructor; or any other behavior that could create such an unfair advantage.

Some specific examples of cheating/malpractice are unauthorized copying of assignments (including computer documents and files); stealing another student’s homework and turning it in as one’s own; plagiarism; submitting pre-written work for set classroom exercises or tests; using unauthorized study aides, notes, books, data, or other information; selling or buying or sharing papers without authorization; altering an assignment or test after it has been graded; stealing tests or other materials, or passing such material stolen by others; talking or signaling to another student during a test or quiz; looking at another student’s answers during a test or quiz, or permitting another student to look at one’s own test or quiz; possessing or using “crib” or cheat sheets; leaving books open on the floor to view during a test or quiz; using unauthorized calculators, palm computers, or other electronic devices to obtain answers during tests or quizzes passing test information on to students in other classes; computer fraud; sabotaging the projects or experiments of other students. Of course, this list of examples is not all inclusive. Furthermore, at FHS, intending to cheat is considered the same as cheating. Because different subjects and assignments may differ in their regard to cheating/malpractice in some ways, students should be sure to ask their relevant teacher for guidance if requirements are not clear.

Consequences: For the first cheating offense, at the minimum the student will receive a zero for the activity, the teacher will contact the parent and the teacher will refer the incident to the appropriate administrator. For a second offense, at the minimum the student will be placed in ISS for no less than three days. If a third offense occurs, at the minimum the student will receive five days ISS or perhaps be placed in the ALC for unruly behavior. Flagrant acts of cheating, such as falsifying or changing a teacher’s records, will result in greater consequences than the minimum.

The primary purpose of Franklin High School is teaching and learning. For this purpose, to be accomplished, every person—student and staff—must accept the responsibility for contributing to an appropriate teaching and learning climate:

• Students are reminded that these rules are applicable at any time the student is on any school grounds, en route to and from school, during all school activities on or off campus, and at all times the student is under the supervision of the school officials.
• It is considered a fundamental understanding by each student and his/her parents that any teacher or school official has not only the right, but also the duty to insist on good behavior. The right of discipline extends to all areas of the school program.
• Respect the worth and dignity of each individual and respect the rights of fellow students.
• Exhibit good behavior and manners, dress appropriately, and use appropriate language.
• Come to school with the attitude that the purpose for being in school is to learn.
• Come to all classes with proper tools (books, pencils, etc.) and with all assignments completed.
• Be familiar with and adhere to all school policies and rules and be willing to accept the responsibilities that accompany rights and privileges.
• Attend school regularly and be on time to all classes.
• Turn in all assignments by their due date.
• Treat others in a manner that builds them up rather than puts them down.
• Seek to make the school better for everyone by positive contributions.
• Represent the school with pride and quality behavior, both on and off campus.
• Exhibit a sense of pride toward the school and exercise proper use and care of equipment and facilities.
• Bring chromebooks fully charged to school each day.

During the first minutes of class, teachers will check their students for appropriate dress. Those students not in compliance with the rules will be sent to Student Services. Students violating dress code are subject to detention or ISS.

In order for WCS to maintain a safe learning environment that minimizes distractions, the minimum standards for acceptable clothing during the school day are as follows:

1. Tops of shoulders must have a minimum of a one-inch strap unless otherwise covered by an opaque top garment.
2. Skin and undergarments must be covered with opaque clothing from the underarm to midthigh. Mid-thigh is defined as the mid-point between the waist and mid-knee.
3. All pants, trousers, shorts and skirts must be held at the waist.
4. Leggings and other compression-style garments may be worn so long as an opaque top garment covers the private body parts.
5. Hats may be worn in buildings with the permission of building administration;
6. Appropriate shoes are required.
7. Any type of clothing, apparel or accessory, including that which denotes such students’ membership in or affiliation with any gang associated with criminal activities is not permitted (TCA 49-6-4215). Any apparel or dress that advertises or promotes products or activity prohibited by law or by the Board of Education is prohibited (e.g., profanity, illustrations, or suggestive language, etc). Student uniforms related to student extra-curricular activities (band, cheerleading, dance, sports team, etc.) must be in compliance with this policy during the academic day. Any apparel or dress that is potentially disruptive to the learning environment or educational process is not permitted. Any apparel or dress that is dangerous to the health or safety of students or the lawful, peaceful operation of the school is not permitted.

Administrators and teachers shall enforce the dress code policy. The principal or his/her designee shall be the final judge as to compliance with the dress code.

Late Arrival to School or Class

• All doors other than the door to the main office will be locked at the beginning of the school day. Any student who arrives late to school will enter through the front office. Students should not open any outside doors for students and adults.
• If a student arrives more than 10 minutes late he/she must have a note from a parent/guardian and report directly to Student Services. The student will be issued a pass indicating whether the tardy is excused/unexcused upon time of arrival. If the student’s tardy is unexcused, the teacher is to issue a referral for skipping. Teachers are to collect the pass from Student Services.
• Students should not be admitted without a pass from Student Services.

Each time a student is late to class (10 minutes or less) he/she will receive a detention form filled out by the classroom teacher. The form will assign the student to one of the available detention periods before school, during lunch (seniors only), or after school. The student will receive the bottom copy of the tardy form. The teacher will turn over the top two copies to grade level administrator at the end of the school day. If the student fails to attend the detention assigned, he/she can be assigned to Saturday School, or ISS.

Detention Policy

• Detention is served before school Monday – Friday at 6:45 AM, during lunch (seniors only), or after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 - 4:00 PM.
• Within each 9-week period, students will receive a detention each for their first three tardies. When the 4th tardy is given, the student will receive Saturday School. Any tardies received after 4 will result in Saturday School and/or ISS.
• Students serving detentions must report on time. Students who are tardy will not be admitted. Students must bring textbooks and/or schoolwork or assignments will be given.
• If students refuse to study or follow the detention supervisor’s instruction, they will be sent home without credit for detention and referred for administrative action.
• No sleeping, talking, or food is allowed in the detention sessions or Saturday School.
• Only medical emergencies will be considered as excused reasons for missing detention. Students will need to bring a note from their physician by 7:25 AM on the first scheduled day of school after the missed detention. Students cannot use work as an excuse to miss detention.
• If a student misses detention he/she must meet with their grade level Assistant Principal or is subject to Saturday School or ISS.
• If a student is absent from school on their assigned detention date, the detention must be served the next scheduled detention day.

Unexcused Absences

• Any student whose absence is unexcused will be expected to make up the work missed or due on dates of absence (County Policy 6.200). All missed work or tests from absences may be made up provided the student makes the request immediately upon returning to school and provided class time is not taken from other students.

1.501 Visitors to the Schools

3.500 Food Services Management

4.300 Extracurricular Activities

6.303 Interrogations and Searches

6.400 Promoting Student Welfare

6.405 Medicines

6.709 Student Fees and Fines

Board Policy 6.200 Attendance

6.304 Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, and Intimidation

6.3041 Title IX & Sexual Harassment

6.309 Zero Tolerance Offenses

6.315 Detention

6.316 Student Suspension/Expulsion

3.400 School Bus Safety/Student Conduct

4.406 Student Access To Electronic Media

6.310 Dress Code

4.600 Report Cards and Grading Systems

4.603 Promotion and Retention

Interscholastic activities in Williamson County Schools are an important part of the overall educational process. The athletic programs offer students expanded learning opportunities including self-discipline, self-esteem and teamwork. Students who participate in extracurricular activities tend to get higher grades, have better attendance and pose fewer discipline problems.

Interscholastic Athletics Board Policy 4.301

Annual Public Notices including FERPA, Child Advocacy Groups Contact Information, Homeless Education, Rights of Children with Disabilities and Parent Responsibilities, Section 504 Notice, State Statutory Rights of Parents and Students, Teacher Information, and the Williamson County Schools Statement of Non-Discrimination can be found on the Annual Public Notices posted to the WCS website.

Williamson County Schools Statement of Non-Discrimination

Williamson County, in compliance with federal and state law, performs a countywide Child Find. Child Find uses screening to find students in both public school or private school located in the geographic region who may need special education services and supports.