Absence Notification Procedures -
If your child is either going to be absent for the entire day, or late for any reason, we ask that you call the school attendance line answering machine at 703-718-8383 before 8:30 a.m. The answering machine is checked at 8:30 and any futher absences should be reported directly to the main school number at 703-718-8300. Any calls to the attendance line after 8:30 a.m. will not be checked until the following day. This system is used as a safeguard to assure both parents and school that the child does, indeed, arrive at school after he/she leaves home. Virginia State Law requires each absence to be supported by a valid excuse. Each child who is absent from school must be called in each day by a responsible person, explaining the reason(s) for the absence. Excused absences include illness, death in the family, religious observances, medical or dental appointments, or others at the discretion of the principal.

Late Arrival -
A child arriving at school late must first report to the office for correction of attendance records. Students who arrive after 8:10 a.m. announcements will be marked tardy.

Extended Absence -
When a child is expected to be absent due to illness for an extended period of time, the school should be notified so that provisions may be made for a home study program.

Release from School Before the End of the Instructional Day -
To protect valuable instructional time, non-school activities should not be routinely scheduled during school hours. This does not preclude the occasional release of students under special circumstances. If a child must leave early for a medical or dental appointment, a parent should send a note in advance and sign the child out in the office at the appropriate time. It is not necessary to call the school in this case. Parents must come into the office and sign out their children. Children will not be released during the school day to anyone other than the parent/guardian or persons listed on the Emergency Care Form. In the event that a parent must send another person to pick up the child, parental authorization will be required. Students may be released to either parent unless prohibited by court order. If restricted custody has been legally established, be sure to furnish a copy of the custody order to be kept on file in the school office.

Vacations During the School Year -
County policy requires that any child who is absent from school for 15 days or more be withdrawn officially from our rolls. Upon the child's return, the parent must again officially enroll him/her. Long vacations taken during the school year can interrupt the sequential learning in many subject areas. It is impossible for the teacher to provide a complete and stimulating academic program for a child who is on vacation. It is the parent's responsibility to provide reinforcement and drill activities while the child is on an extended trip.

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