Research is clear that attendance patterns and punctuality have a direct impact on a child’s academic achievement. Please make every effort to support your child(ren)’s education by having him/her in school every day. Of special note, days when school is in session for only a half-day of instruction (conference days, in-service days, etc.) a student is considered absent for the entire day if he/she is not in school. Attendance is very important to us and will be closely monitored. Our School Attendance Committee meets every other week to review student attendance. Phone calls and a series of letters will be sent to contact parents/guardians of students with a high rate of absenteeism. In accordance with FCPS guidelines, students may not participate in afterschool activities if they are not in attendance during the school day.
Parents are encouraged to notify the school on the day their child is absent. A note stating the reason for absence or lateness is required within two school days of the student’s return, or the absence is automatically classified as unlawful. Students who were absent from school have the responsibility to request make-up work within two days of their return.
Absences considered lawful and therefore excused, as described in the Public School Laws and Code of Bylaws of the Maryland State Board of Education, are:
- Illness of the student (doctor’s verification may be required)
- Death in the immediate family
- Court summons
- Hazardous weather condition
- Work or activity accepted by the school authorities
- Observance of religious holiday
- State emergency
- Suspension
- Lack of authorized transportation
- Health exclusion
- Other emergency (judgment of Superintendent or designee)
The school day for all students grades PK-5 is 9:15 a.m.-3:40 p.m. Morning announcements begin promptly at 9:10 a.m.
Students arriving after morning announcements, need to sign in at the office. Parents must park their car and walk their child into the office.
An absence for any portion of the day, for any reason, is presumed to be unlawful unless a note stating the reason is submitted to [email protected] or to the teacher within the same term of the absence.
In accordance with FCPS policy, absences for students who take trips will be considered unlawful. However, these absences will not be considered as truancy for a maximum of 5 days, per school year, with prior written notice to the principal. If you are planning on taking your child out of school for an extended period of time, please notify the front office prior to the vacation at [email protected].