Attendance & Truancy

Nicole Chalmers, Supervisor of Student Services
Phone: (434) 515-5098
Email: [email protected]

Per School Board Policy JED-RZ, upon a student’s return to school, the student shall bring a note signed by the parent/guardian to explain the reasons for the absence and the dates of the absence. The school should receive the note on the day of the student’s return to school. E-mail will be accepted for a note. Absences will be unexcused if notes are not received by the school within two school days of the student’s return to school even if the parent has called.

In all cases of tardiness to school or early dismissals, students must present that day a written note from a parent/guardian to the school stating the reason for the tardiness or early dismissal. Excused tardies/early dismissals are granted only for the following reasons:

• Personal illness. Written excuses should contain a description of the illness.
• Personal required court appearance with documentation from the court.
• Death or serious illness in the immediate family. Principal will also consider each individual case and any extenuating circumstances.
• Medical condition or appointment verified by a note from a medical professional or dentist.
• Religious holiday will be excused upon presentation of written verification from the student’s parent/guardian. No student will be deprived of any award, eligibility, or opportunity to compete for any award, or the right to take an alternate test or examination the student missed by reason of such verified absence.

School Absence Note Form

Lynchburg City Schools has a Truancy Center located at the School Administration Building, 915 Court Street. The Truancy Center is staffed with four Lynchburg City School employees who accept truancy referrals from the individual schools and process the cases to the court. An Interagency Truancy Review Team is in place to review truancy cases and write recommendations for the Juvenile Court.
Truancy page

Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) has a responsibility to meet the educational needs of children  who are confined to their homes because of illness, injury, pregnancy, or emotional difficulties.  Frequently, these children are unable to attend school for an extended period of time. The Home  Services Program enables such children to continue their educational program while confined at  home. Educational and physical modifications may be attempted before students are placed in the Home Services Program. 

Guide to Home Services Program

The federal McKinney-Vento Act guarantees school enrollment for anyone who, due to a lack of permanent housing, lives in inadequate or temporary settings. Children and youth living in these settings meet criteria for the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness and have special educational rights.
Homeless Education page

LCS staff work with the Lynchburg Department of Human Services to monitor "learnfare" cases. The code of Virginia requires families who receive assistance (TANF) have their children attend school regularly.

Missed Bus Pickup will be available from 7:15-11:15 a.m. only on a first come, first served basis. This pilot initiative provides students who have missed their regular school bus pickup with an alternative form of transportation to school.
Missed Bus Pickup Program page