Attendance

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. Absent notes can be submitted to UHS.Attendance@fcps.org. Notes should be submitted within two days of returning to school and contain the signature and contact information of the parent/guardian. 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.

Absences from School

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 the student’s 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.

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 up to 3 days
• State emergency
• Suspension
• Lack of authorized transportation
• Health exclusion
• Other emergency (judgment of Superintendent or designee)

Students who take trips with their parents may be excused no more than twice during a year for a combined maximum of five days. Visits by students to prospective colleges are excused up to four days per year. In unusual circumstances, a principal may allow additional visits as excused absences.

Absences other than those cited as lawful are presumed to be unlawful and may constitute truancy.

In middle and high schools, a student may fail or lose credit if unlawful absences exceed 5 days in a term, 10 days in a semester or 20 days in a school year.

A note from a doctor, dentist, court official or counselor may be required for all absences beyond 10 days.

High school students who are in danger of or who have failed/lost credit due to unlawful absences may earn days back with an approved plan by the principal.

A student is counted present for a full day if the student is in attendance four hours or more of the school day. A student is counted present for 1/2 day if in attendance for at least two hours of the school day, but less than four hours.

A student scheduled for less than a full day is to be counted present based on the amount of time he/she is scheduled.

Example: A student scheduled for a two-hour block of time will be counted present for a full day if the student is in attendance for that entire block of time. If the student is absent for that entire block of time, the student will be counted absent for a full day. A student scheduled for a two-hour block of time will be counted present for 1/2 day if the student is in attendance for one hour.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students who are granted out-of-district status and do not comply with school rules and regulations (including: attendance, truancy, tardiness, and behavior) may have their out-of-district status rescinded or denied according to FCPS Regulation 400-15.