Attendance Office

    Academic success begins with excellent attendance. If a student must be absent from school for the full day, parents/guardians are to email the main office or send a written note to the main office within three days following the absence. 

    The following information must be listed on all student tardy and absence notes:

    1. Student's Full Legal Name
    2. ID Number
    3. Date(s) of Absence
    4. Reason for Absence
    5. Parent/Guardian's Name
    6. Parent/Guardian's Telephone Number

    Excused Absences

    We expect ever student to be in school every day except for the legitimate reasons defined by Maryland State Law and listed below:

    • Death in the immediate family
    • Illness of the student
    • Court summons
    • Work or activity accepted by school authorities
    • Observance of a religious holiday
    • Quarantine
    • Physical and mental incapacity
    • Violent storms
    • State emergency

    Tardies

    Before 8:00 AM, students are to report directly to class without stopping by the main office for a pass. Students that arrive at school after 8:00 AM, must sign in at the main office and they will be given an unexcused tardy pass, unless they provide a note. The teachers will follow the discipline procedures as indicated in the Student Handbook.

    Excused Tardies

    If students are less than twenty minutes late to any period, the teacher will mark the student as unexcused tardy for that class period. If the student provides a note with one of the excused reasons, the main office will update the marked unexcused tardy with an excused tardy. 

    Early Dismissals

    If a student is leaving early, the parent/guardian MUST come into the main office, as MCPS requires a current government-issued photo ID to confirm that they are on the student's approved pickup list, before releasing a student.

    Extended Absences Needing Prior Approval (5 or more consecutive days)

    Students requesting an extended absence must bring their note to an administrator for prior approval. If approval is granted, the student must complete the Planned Absence Form, located in the main office, and have their teachers approve the leave for students to make up work for credit.