Attendance Procedures and Policies

Procedures and policies regarding student attendance

If you will be absent, you should:

Have your parent call the attendance phone number EACH DAY you will not be attending school. There is a THREE-DAY limit to clear an absence, after which the absence remains unexcused. If a phone call was not made to excuse the absence, upon your return to school have a written note from your parent as to the nature of your absence.

To report a full day absence, late arrival, or early checkout please call the attendance office or email @email.

Call 703-714-5725 to report an absence and state the following:

  • Student's first and last name and spell slowly

  • Student ID Number

  • Be specific about the reason why your child will not be attending school.
  • *NEW* Please indicate whether your child has any of the following symptoms:
    • Feeling feverish or chills
    • Fever greater than or equal to 100.4 F
    • Headache (not due to another health condition, hunger, menstrual cramps stress, or injury)
    • A new cough (not due to another health condition)
    • Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties (not due to diagnosed respiratory condition or if different than normal pattern of chronic condition)
    • A new sore throat (not due to another health condition)
    • Congestion or runny nose (not related to allergies or health condition)
    • Fatigue (more tired than normal or sudden onset)
    • New muscle pain (not due to another health condition or that may have been caused by a specific activity such as physical exercise))
    • New loss of taste, smell, or appetite
    • Abdominal pain (not due to hunger, constipation, injury, or stress)
    • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
  • If your student is ill, and has seen a physician, please be specific about your student’s condition. Examples include strep throat or pink eye.

  • If your student is ill, but has not seen a physician, please be specific about your student’s symptoms. Examples include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, or vomiting.

  • Parent/Guardian home/work phone number for verification

How to report an absence by note:

A note from your parent/guardian to the attendance office should include the following:

  • Student's full name

  • The date of absence

  • Detailed reason for absence/tardy

  • Time if checking in or out

  • Phone number for verification – home/office

  • Parent/Guardian Signature

How to check out of school early:

Student:

  • Bring a note that is written and signed by a parent/guardian

  • Before the start of the school day, go to the Attendance Office (located in the Main Office) and bring note.

  • Hand note to the administrative assistant and she will fill out a pink pass for you.

  • The pink pass has the date and time you will be excused from class.

  • When you get to the class period that you will be leaving early, show your teacher the pink pass before class starts.

  • At the designated time, leave class and go to the Main Office to meet your parent/guardian.

Parent/Guardian:

  • Meet students in the Main Office.

  • When you arrive at the Main Office, sign the student out. The form is located in the Attendance Office.

  • Wait for your student to arrive in the Main Office.

Students who drive themselves:

  • Students must report to Attendance Office and sign self out

How to check in late to school with a note:

  • If you are more than 10 minutes late to school, go to the attendance office to check-in.

  • Have a note from a parent stating the reason for being late.  Please note the following are considered to be an excused tardy: illness, doctor’s appointment, funeral, religious reasons, college visits

  • Hand the administrative assistant the note from parent.  She will fill out a blue pass with date, time, and if tardiness is excused or unexcused.

  • Go to your assigned class and hand blue pass to teacher.

How to check in late to school without a note:

  • If you are more than 10 minutes late to school, go to the attendance office to check-in.

  • If you do not have a note to excuse your tardiness, you must still to the attendance office and check-in.

  • When you arrive to the attendance office, tell the administrative assistant that you do not have a note.

  • Sign-in and she will hand you a blue pass with date, time, and an unexcused tardy designation.

  • Go to class and hand blue pass to teacher.

  • You have three (3) days to clear up the absence/tardiness.

Pre-Arranged absence procedures:

  • Send a note from your parent/guardian to the attendance window ONE WEEK (five school days) prior to the first day of the absence.

  • The approved note will be attached to a prearranged absence form that your child must carry to each teacher for signature and assignments.

  • You must return the completed form to the grade level office.

Valid reasons for pre-arranged absences include:

  • College visits, religious holidays, planned hospitalization and required family trips (maximum of three days per year)

  • Family trips lasting more than three days must be approved by the grade level administrator at least five days prior to the absences

  • These absences may result in unexcused absences.

Attendance questions can be directed to Ms. Renee Yates at 703-714-5726.