Truancy is traditionally defined as an absence from school that is not excused by the parent/guardian or the school. Truancy is the first sign of trouble for youth; it is the first indicator that a child is giving up and losing his or her way. When young people start skipping/missing school, it is a signal to their parents, school officials and the community at large that they are in trouble and need help if they are to keep moving forward in life.

During the Jenkins County 2005-2006 school year, there were 118 truancy referrals made from the Jenkins County schools. Of those 118 referrals, six were turned over to State Court for prosecution under Code Section 20-2690.1 (Mandatory Education Statute); and under Code Section 40-5-22 (Georgia's Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act,) four students were recommended for license revocation.

As stated in the Georgia Attendance Rule and adopted by Jenkins County Attendance Protocol Committee, the following are considered to be lawful and unlawful absences.

Lawful (excused) absences are: serious illness within the immediate family-father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, child or relative residing permanently and continuously in the student's home, which necessitates the student's absence from school (a doctor's statement is required for verification); personal illness and when attendance in school would endanger a student's health or the health of others; death within the immediate family is the same as stated above for serious illness, and to include grandparents (the principal or school can verify by personal knowledge or other verification); special and recognized religious holidays observed by the student's faith, which requires an absence; medical or dental appointments that are verified by an official appointment card or memo from the doctor; absences mandated by order of governmental agencies, mandated by court order or court subpoena as a witness; conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety; absence for the purpose of registering to vote or voting, for a period not to exceed one day; serving as pages in the Georgia General Assembly; away from school while participating in an approved school-sponsored activity; any student who gets sick at school and has to go home (the principal is authorized to make the final determination to the validity of the illness); and the principal shall have the authority to declare as legal those absences due to recurring, periodic illnesses, which are supported by a doctor's statement describing the nature and fact of the recurring illness.

Unlawful (unexcused) absences are: car trouble; oversleeping; running errands; missing bus; cutting/skipping class; lack of electricity; lack of transportation; and taking care of family business.

The Jenkins County Attendance Protocol and Georgia Compulsory Attendance Law define truancy as five unexcused absences from school within a single school year. The Jenkins County school system encourages parents/ guardians and the community as a whole to ensure that students get to school each day and on time. As parents/guardians, set an example to help pave the way to greater academic heights for all children this new school year.

This information is provided by the Jenkins County school system and the Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center.