If you sign your child out in the front office for a doctors/dentist or other appointment a note is still required for the absence to be considered lawful. Here is the link to our absence/dismissal note all you need to do is print them and fill in the blanks.
FCPS students have a 180-day school year in keeping with Maryland law. Generally, high schools have a 7:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. schedule, and most middle school students attend 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. With a few exceptions, elementary schools start at 9 a.m. and dismiss around 3:30 p.m. Check with your school for exact times.
Students should arrive at school no earlier than 30 minutes before instruction begins and leave the grounds within 30 minutes after instruction ends, except when participating in school-sponsored activities.
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 (Adobe PDF File, opens in new window).