FCHS Attendance Policy
Excused | Unexcused | Prearranged | Check-in/outAttendance office: 703-207-4006
24-Hour attendance voice mail: 703-207-4019
To leave a message in English press 1
In Spanish press 2
In Vietnamese press 3
Make everyday count. Be counted as present in school everyday.Falls Church High School uses a computerized attendance system, called SASI, by which teachers report absences and tardies for each period of the school day.
Absence is defined as:
• Failure to attend class or classes
• Tardiness of 20 minutes or more
• Three unexcused tardies equal one unexcused absenceWhen a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to call the attendance office that day to give the reason for absence. There is a three-day limit to clear absences after which the absences become unexcused. Upon the return, the student must bring a note from parent/guardian as to the nature of absence.
• Illness of the student
• Death in the family
• Doctor or dentist appointment
• Observance of religious holiday
• Suspension (except for certain substance violations explained in FCPS regulation 2610.10)
• An approved pre-arranged absence.
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• Child care situation
• Non-school related activities
• Missing bus
• Cutting class
• Failing to sign out if leaving school early
• Or other reasons unacceptable to the administrator.
• Falls Church High School does not recognize senior skip days and will record them as unexcused absences.Fairfax County public Schools Regulation 2234.3 states that “on the third unexcused absence in the same quarter, the student shall forfeit (received an F) for the quarter for the class or classes missed.
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If an absence is planned, such as a trip, college visit, religious holiday, etc., it must be pre-arranged with the attendance office. The student must bring a note, stating the date and reason for the absence. The student will be given a form for all teachers to sign. The completed form must be returned to the attendance office prior to the date of the absence. Both full-day and partial-day absences should be pre-arranged.
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Students arriving at school for any reason after 7:35 a.m must check in through the attendance office immediately upon arriving (lunch periods included), to receive a pass to class. Students must bring a note signed by parent/guardian, or have parent/guardian call the attendance line at 703-207-4019, stating the student’s full name, reason for tardiness, probable time of arrival and date. Car trouble, missed bus, pupil placement transportation problems, and oversleeping are not excused. Students who do not check in will not be excused for the classes they missed.
Check-Out
Students are not to leave the school grounds for any reason during the school day, including break and lunch periods, without a check-out pass from the attendance office. Passes will be available for pick-up in the Attendance Office after a parent/guardian has phoned the attendance office stating the time and reason for dismissal.
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