Attendance
FCPS students have a 180-day school year in keeping with Maryland law. Students should arrive at school no earlier than 30 minutes before instruction begins (9:00am) and leave the grounds within 30 minutes after instruction ends (3:30pm), except when participating in school-sponsored activities. Students will be considered late if they arrive after 9:00am.
Regular daily attendance is expected and critical to a child's academic success. Parents' support of regular daily attendance is essential. 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 upon students' return, or the absence is automatically classified as unlawful until an approved note is provided. Students who were absent from school have the responsibility to request make-up work within two days of their return. For details, please see Regulation 400-98. Student Attendance is required by law!
Families may not exceed 5 excused Vacation Days per School Year.
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:
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Illness of the student (doctor's verification may be required)
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Death in the immediate family
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Court summons
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Hazardous weather condition
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Work or activity accepted by the school authorities
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Observance of religious holiday
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State emergency
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Suspension
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Lack of authorized transportation
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Health exclusion
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Other emergency (judgement of Superintendent or designee)
If you have questions regarding your child's attendance, please contact:
Aldo Manino- Pupil Personnel Worker (Sí, hablo español)
227-203-3235