Students were provided an information sheet at the beginning of the school

year explaining the new policies. State law requires that the sheet be signed

be signed and returned to schools by Wednesday.

The school system will send parents a warning letter when a student has

three absences, excused or unexcused. The letters are meant only to keep

parents informed of their child's attendance records, and to alert parents

early to any problems.

A conference will be required when a student has four unexcused absences.

When a student accumulates more than five unexcused absences, parents of

truant students may face penalties of $25 to $100, community service, or

imprisonment of up to 30 days.

For elementary students, absences accumulate by days, and for middle and

high school students, absences accumulate by periods or blocks.

"The state has made significant changes in regards to attendance," said

Iva King, who works with the Coweta County school system department of Student

Services. Schools systems across Georgia are working to implement the new

rules and communicate them to parents.

King said that the new attendance rules may worry parents, but noted that

parents need to distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. Excused

absences are generally due to illness, death in the family, religious holidays

and school sponsored activities.

"Written excuses are important, explaining why the child is out," said

King. "If parents have a concern about whether something is going to

be excused or not, then they need to talk to their principal early and communicate

with the school."

"Communicating with the school and instilling in children the habits

of attending school every day and being on time are probably the most important

things parents can do," said King.