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Attendance Policy and Procedure
703-924-8181 - 9th & 11th grade attendance
703-924-8080 - 10th & 12th grade attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes. Attendance is taken daily before the end of each period. Excused absences are for approved reasons and with parent notification. Three unexcused absences in one quarter will result in a drop of one letter grade. Six unexcused absences in one quarter will result in a failure (F). If percentages are used, a 63% will be recorded. If the student's earned grade is lower than 63%, the earned percentage will be recorded instead.
When a student accumulates five excused absences in a quarter, a conference will be held with the student, parent, administrator, counselor, and teacher. The conference will focus on verification and reduction of excused absences.
Absence is defined as:
- Failure to attend class or classes;
- Tardiness of 20 minutes or more;
- Three unexcused tardies equal one unexcused absence.
Excused absences include:
- Illness;
- Doctor or dental appointment;
- Death in the family;
- Religious holiday;
- Other – approved by principal;
- Pre-arranged absences;
- Suspensions of ten days or less if parents and students participate satisfactorily in follow-up activities.
Students who arrive after 7:25 am and do not have a written excuse or their parent has not called the attendance telephone number for their grade level should go directly to their first block classes. The classroom teacher will mark them unexcused tardy. If a parent calls the 9th/11th grade attendance line (703-924-8181) or the 10th/12th grade attendance line (703-924-8080) to excuse the student with an approved reason within three days, the unexcused tardy or absence will be changed.
Edison High School does not recognize “Senior Skip Days.” They will be recorded as unexcused absences.
Students who have unexcused absences or excessive tardies will be assigned after school detentions and/or Friday or Saturday school.
Students who accumulate 5 all day unexcused absences or 25 unexcused class absences will be referred to the Fairfax County Attendance Officer and court system.
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
PARENT & STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The parent/guardian must inform the grade level subschool office by phone or note of the reason for an absence within three (3) school days including the day of the absence and the following two school days. After this time, the absence will be recorded as "unexcused."
If informing by phone, the parent/guardian should call the day of the absence, if possible, but no later than two school days after the absence. The 24 hour Attendance Lines are:
703-924-8181 - 9th & 11th grade attendance
703-924-8080 - 10th & 12th grade attendance
If informing by note, the student should bring it to the grade level subschool office on the first day back from the absence and no later than two school days after the absence. All notes from parents or guardians must have the following information to be accepted.
- Student’s full name
- Student’s grade
- Date note was written
- Date of attendance issue
- Reason for the absence(s)
- Two contact phone numbers of Parent/Guardian
- Parent/Guardian signature
Do not give the note to a teacher.
DEPARTURES FROM SCHOOL
FCPS Regulation 2234.4, Section III-A states, "A permission slip signed by the parent or guardian must be on file with the principal when a student leaves the school premises during regular school hours." Students must bring a parent’s note to the grade level subschool office on the day of the check out. The note should give the time and the reason for leaving.
Students must always sign out with parent permission in the grade level subschool office before leaving school grounds. There are no exceptions to this rule. Leaving school without checking out will result in an unexcused absence in the classes missed. Parking privileges can be revoked with no refund if a vehicle is used to violate this provision. Parent/guardian permission is required for check-outs.
PRE-ARRANGED ABSENCES
Students who know that they will be absent on a specific day or days must notify the grade level subschool office at least two (2) days in advance of the absence. The student will be given a pre-arranged absence form. A parent will provide a written statement identifying the reason for the absence. The grade level subschool administrative assistant will telephone the parent to verify the written statement. The student will take this form to teachers for signatures. This form must be returned to the grade level subschool prior to the absence. If a student fails to follow this procedure, the absence(s) will be recorded as unexcused. Students who wish to visit a college must complete a pre-arranged absence form.
TARDY TO CLASS
A student arriving to school late without a note should go directly to class before 7:45 am and to the grade level subschool office at 7:45 am or after. A written excuse or a telephone call from a parent addressing the reason for the tardiness is required within 3 days (the day of the tardy and 2 more days).
Students who arrive late to school with a note from a parent/guardian, or the parent/guardian has called, or because of late bus arrival, should report to the grade level subschool office prior to reporting to their class. Students tardy to classes during the day are unexcused tardy unless they have a note from a staff member. Three instances of unexcused tardy in a class result in the recording of an unexcused absence.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE OR TARDY
- Overslept (parent/guardian or student)
- Missed bus or ride
- Vehicle problem
- Traffic
- Child care, including siblings and family
- Non-pre-arranged trip
- Other reason unacceptable to the administrator, or his or her designee, including unspecified “family emergencies”
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