Attendance Policy

Absences

Please call 301-279-8484 any day your child will not be in school for any reason. When you call, be prepared to tell us your child's name, his/her teacher, and the reason for the absence. If we do not receive a call from a parent, the absence or tardiness will be considered unexcused.

Excused absences are: student illness, death in the family, medical appointment and observance of a religious holiday. An unexcused absence or tardy would be a family trip, childcare problem, oversleeping, nonschool-related activity, traffic, or a missed bus. Any absence for which a written explanation is not submitted will be recorded as unexcused.

ATTENDANCE POLICY AS REVISED BY THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Effective July 1, 2007.

PLEASE NOTE CHANGES:
  • Students will now be recorded as A.M. Absent if they arrive at school more than two hours late.
  • Students will now be recorded as P.M. Absent if they leave school more than two hours early.
  • Students will now be recorded as either A.M. Absent or P.M. Absent if they are absent from school for more than two hours, but less than four hours during the school day.
  • Students will be recorded as full-day absent, if they are present for less than two hours of the school day.
  • Students will be recorded as full-day present, if they are present for more than four hours of the school day.

School begins at 9:15a.m.! Students who arrive at school late MUST STOP AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE FOR A TARDY SLIP OR THEY WILL BE MARKED ABSENT. When your child arrives late, the opportunity for an unhurried and organized start to the day is lost and it is very disruptive to the teacher and the class.