Follow these procedures if an absence occurs:
- Please complete the Online Absence Reporting Form.
- A note from the parent/guardian is necessary to excuse any absence. The note is required within three (3) days of returning to school.
- A physician’s note is required for any absence of five (5) or more consecutive days due to illness.
- Notes for absences should be given to the Attendance Secretary.
- The Attendance Office will verify notes excusing absences, tardies, and early departures by contacting parents/guardians. All notes must include the information listed in the box. Only lawful absences will be considered excused. All notes will remain unexcused until verified by the attendance office.
Vacations: Absences for vacations are unexcused. Contact the attendance office if you have any questions.
Truancy: A student who is absent from school without lawful cause is considered truant. A referral to the Truancy Board will be made for students whose absences exceed 20%.
Should an absence from school be necessary:
- The parent/guardian should notify the school attendance office at least five (5) days in advance, stating the reason for the absence. Ex: college visits, orientation, etc.
- Medical, dental, and other appointments are to be made outside of school hours, that is, after 2:30 p.m.
- If the student is ill or expects to be absent for more than four weeks, home instruction may be arranged. Contact the appropriate guidance counselor.
Late Arrivals/Tardiness
- Student absent for more than one hour will be counted as absent for a half day.
- Students not in their assigned classrooms at the sound of the bell are tardy.
- Missing twenty (20) minutes of any class is an absence from that class.
- Any student arriving to school after 7:45 a.m. must sign in at the Attendance Office.
- All late arrivals must be explained in a legitimate signed note in order to be excused
Early Departure
- For security and safety reasons, students may not be excused without a legitimate signed note.
- Notes for early departure from school must be received in the attendance office by 8:00 a.m. that morning.
- Upon returning, the student must sign in at the Attendance Office.
- The student is responsible for making up all class work and assignment.
Truancy and Cutting Classes
- Truancy (illegal absence from school) and cutting class are serious infractions of State, MCPS, and local school policy.
- The Attendance Office carefully tracks patterns of student attendance,
- The Attendance Office verifies excuses for absences, late arrivals, and early departures.