Attendance

Public education is a right available to all young people of school age in Montgomery County.  It is provided at considerable expense to parents and other citizens of the county. 

A reasonable effort will be made to contact a parent/guardian of each absent student every day and to obtain an explanation for the student’s absence, where there is no indication that the student’s parent is aware of and supports the absence. 

Documenting Absences
All absences shall be identified as excused or unexcused. Each student should present a written note to the school attendance office which includes the date(s), cause(s), and the parent’s/guardian’s signature for daily absences, early dismissal or late arrival of the student.  Parental permission for early dismissal must be presented to school officials on or before the day requested.  Notes of explanation for student absences or check-ins should be received the day following the absence or check-in.   

Absences for any of the reasons listed below shall be excused.

  • state mandated testing or other school/division testing programs;

  • school-sponsored field trips or activities;

  • all VHSL activities;

  • late bus or buses which fail to run;

  • conference with guidance counselor, administrator, or other related staff members;

  • in-school suspension (I.S.S.);   

  • involuntary court appearance (copy of court order or subpoena required);

  • death in the family or household (verification may be required);

  • religious holidays (verification may be required);

  • college visit or work based learning opportunity (verification required) up to 3 school days; 

  • illness (if over 3 days, the school may require verification);

  • doctor/dental appointments (verification required);

  • extenuating circumstances which are determined by the school administration.

attendance

Returning to School
On the day of their return to school from an absence, students must report to the main office before going on to classes.  A note of explanation will be required to officially document any absence.   

Students who return to school without a note or other verification that a parent/guardian is aware of and supports the absence will be considered as skipping school and will be referred to an administrator for disciplinary action. 

Checking in/Checking out of school & Tardies to class
A student is counted present and on time to class only when he/she is present in the classroom, or other approved designated area, at the time of the tardy bell.  A student reporting to class after the tardy bell, or after the designated starting time for the class period, will be recorded as present and tardy.   

Student check-ins, check-outs, and tardies to each class will be recorded on a daily basis.  Students must present to the main office a written note which includes the date(s), cause(s), and the parent’s/guardian’s signature for all student check-ins (late arrivals) and check-outs (leave early).  

Check-ins, and check-outs will be considered as EXCUSED only for the following reasons (documentation required):

  • Appointments with doctor, dentist, or other health professional

  • Court appearances

  • Death in the family or household

 All UNEXCUSED check-ins, check-outs (documented or undocumented), and tardies to class will contribute to the total number accumulated for the purpose of disciplinary action. Any exceptions for extenuating circumstances must have principal approval. 

Arriving Late to School (Check-Ins) – Students who arrive to school late must report directly to the main office through the main office entrance upon their arrival to school before going to class.  A student who reports to school late, with or without documentation, will be marked as a check-in.  Any students who arrive to school late must sign the Check-In Sheet in the main office and obtain a pass to class.  Students accompanied by a parent/guardian, or who bring a note of explanation for their late arrival, will have their tardiness documented by office staff.   

Leaving Early (Check-Outs) – If it is necessary for a student to leave school early, he/she must report to the main office to obtain permission to check-out from office staff and sign the Check-Out Sheet in the main office before leaving school grounds.  Students who wish to check-out must bring a note from a parent/guardian to the main office when it is time for them to leave school. Parents/guardians may be called to verify written notes.  Parents/guardians may also check-out their child from school in person.  Parents/guardians must do so through the main office and sign the Check-Out Sheet.  Only those adults who have legal custody or the written authorization of a parent/guardian may check a student out of school.  

Disciplinary Procedures
Students who accumulate an excessive number of UNEXCUSED check-ins, check-outs, and tardies to class will be referred to an administrator for the following disciplinary action: 
For each 9-week Grading Period, students who accumulate any combination of UNEXCUSED check-ins to school (late arrival), check-outs from school (leave early), and tardies to class will be assigned the following disciplinary action:

  • Tardies 4-8 = will be assigned a Lunch Detention 

  • 9th Tardy = After School Detention Tuesday/Thursday 3:00-4:30

  • Additional Tardies = Lose Good Standing Status + Disciplinary Action

  • Tardies also include unexcused check in and check outs

     

Participation in After-School Activities (Athletics and Extra-Curricular)
Students who are absent from school, arrive late (check-in more than 15 minutes after the school day begins), or check out early during the school day are not allowed to participate in any after-school activities that day.  The Athletic Director will be notified of a non-participation athlete.   

Students will not be able to practice or play on days they are assigned to Out-of-School Suspension (OSS).  Students may resume practice or play following the completion of the last day of their OSS.  Once a student returns from OSS, the level of participation in practice, games, or performances remains at the discretion of their coach/advisor.    

Students will not be able to practice or play until completion of an In-School Supervision (ISS) assignment.  Students may resume practice or play after missing all days of practice or play due to an ISS assignment.  Once a student returns to practice/play, the level of participation in practice, games, or performances remains at the discretion of their coach/advisor.   

Students who plan to attend athletic practices or any extra-curricular practices that do not begin immediately after school, must leave the building and grounds and return closer to the practice’s start time unless they have pre-arranged plans to be supervised by a coach or other staff member.  Parents/guardians should pre-arrange transportation for their child to/from practices.  Exceptions to this policy must be approved by an administrator. 

More details and information on student attendance can be found in the Student Handbook.