Chesterbrook Elementary Attendance Policy and Procedure
The attached letter (click HERE) explains the policies and regulations that are mandated by FCPS for the schools to follow which allows us to stay within the State regulations of attendance.
The new procedure guides parents when their children are out of school for long periods of time. There are deadlines that we are asking parents to follow to assist our teachers in maintaining their demanding workload and assisting in allowing students to not fall behind in both class work and homework during their absence. If you should travel to places without internet access, you can return and still catch up on missed work by using the Blackboard site. Please remember that when you make your travel reservations, you also need to notify the school of the upcoming absence.
The Blackboard site is available to you and should be consulted when children are absent from school for any reason even if it is just for one day. The teachers have assured me that the sites are up to date and many teams are making past assignments available. We understand that some absences cannot be avoided; however, regular attendance is important for all students to progress successfully, and there is not a substitute for regular attendance at school.
Thank you for attention to this matter, and if you have questions please feel free to contact the school with your concerns.Absences
If your child is going to be absent, please call the Chesterbrook Attendance Line at 703-714-8282, so that we can account for all of our students. This line is available 24 hours a day. We call to check on absent students if we do not know the reason for their absence. If your child arrives late, please walk your child into the office to check him/her in. Office records will then be changed from absent to tardy and a tardy pass will be issued.
The Code of Virginia has been amended to require schools to refer students to an Attendance Officer when a student has accumulated five days of unexcused absences. Reasons for unexcused absences may include family and/or student vacations, child care situations, nonschool-related activities, missed school bus, or other reasons unacceptable to the principal. Further unexcused absences will result in a petition to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
The county has instituted and automated calling system for those absent. If we haven't heard from a parent as to the reason for an absence, you will receive a phone call and an e-mail alerting you to this fact.
FCPS Attendance Links:
Regulation
2232.2
Regulation 2234.6
(You may also check out the FCPS policies for Student Attendance by visiting the following webpage, and scrolling down to ATTENDANCE, STUDENT: http://www.fcps.edu/Directives/topicalindexA.htm)
