---

Section 22.1-258 of the Code of Virginia has been amended to require school districts to refer students to the county attendance offi cer when a student has accumulated fi ve days of unexcused absences.

When a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian to call the attendance offi ce to give the reason for the absence by calling 703-924-8312. If a phone call is not made on the day of the absence, the parent must call the next day or have the student bring a note to the attendance offi ce by 7:20 a.m. the next day.

Absences that are not excused within two (2) school days by either a parent/ guardian phone call or note will be unexcused. Parent/guardian notes should include the student’s full name, the date of the absence/tardy, the reason for the absence, and the parent/guardian daytime phone number. Calls are made to the home to confirm notes. Students who are absent four or more consecutive days because of illness or medical problems should provide a doctor’s note to have these absences excused.

If a student accrues fifteen (15) absences in any one class (excused and/or unexcused) throughout the year, the administration may require medical verifi cation for any future absences to be excused. Proof or verifi cation of absences and tardies may be required by an administrator for an unusual pattern of absences or tardies. Parents are reminded that whenever an absence is anticipated for a future date, such as required family trips, college visits, etc., it must be pre-arranged with the attendance office (see details below).

• Illness of student
• Death in family
• Medical or dental appointment
• Religious observances
• Suspension
• School sponsored field trips
• Approved pre-arranged Abesence
• Other reasons accepted by the principal or designee

• Babysitting/Child care
• Senior Skip Day and Prom Prep
• Working on a school project/studying
• Oversleeping
• Missing ride or a bus
• Car Trouble
• Failure to excuse absence within TWO days

Students are not to leave the school building for any reason during the day without a check-out pass from the attendance offi ce. Students feeling ill must receive a check-out pass from the clinic prior to leaving school and sign out in the attendance offi ce. Parent/guardian must provide a note for early dismissal. It must be brought to the attendance offi ce by 7:20 a.m. The note must state the time and the reason for dismissal and must include a daytime phone number where the parent/guardian can be reached. All notes will be verifi ed before students will be allowed to leave school. Parents must contact the school and give permission in order for their student to leave the school grounds for any reason.

Parents/Guardians will receive an automated phone call from the attendance offi ce when their student has an unverifi ed absence from a class. Parents/ guardians should call the attendance offi ce the next school day to clarify the absence, after 10 :30 AM please.

Whenever an absence is planned for the future, such as required family trips, college visits, religious holidays, etc., it must be pre-arranged with the attendance offi ce. Requests for Pre-arranged Absences are limited to a maximum of five (5) school days excused absence upon approval by a student’s Administrator. Examples of valid reasons would be: college visits, religious holidays, planned hospitalization, family trips (max. fi ve days per year).

Absences for days 6-15 may be UNEXCUSED. After 15 missed school days a student will be withdrawn from school. Approval is not automatic and will be granted on a case by case basis. Excessive unexcused absences may lead to lost credit for missed work, changes to the student’s class schedule, or a reassignment to audit status. Completed form MUST be returned to the Attendance Offi ce three (3) school days prior to the requested absence.

Students will not be allowed to leave class during the fi rst 15 minutes of class or the last 15 minutes of class unless there is an emergency. Teachers will enforce this rule.

Students arriving late to class will be subject to disciplnary action.

Students must be in school the entire day to be eligible to participate in any student activities scheduled on that day. Exceptions to this standard may be made with the prior approval of the principal or her/his designee.

For excused absences, make-up work receives credit; for unexcused absences, make-up work will not receive full credit. Any exception to this practice shall require the administrator’s approval. Make-up work is encouraged whether credit is received or not so the student can benefi t from future instruction. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher of each class missed to arrange make-up work the fi rst day back in school. If a student is absent one day, work must be made up in one day; if absent two days, work must be made up in two days, and so on up to ten days. Exceptions to this rule may be made by each individual teacher.

Parents must notify the Student Services Office when their home address changes. If families move out of Fairfax County, children are no longer eligible to attend Fairfax County Schools and will be withdrawn. If you have a question regarding your new address, go to the boundary locator on www.fcps.edu to verify the base school that corresponds to your new address.