Fairfax County Attendance Policy Regulation 2234
Ms. Renee Yates, Attendance office: 703-714-5726
• Virginia law requires that students receive a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction for each course in order to be awarded credit for that course.
• Fairfax County Public Schools Regulation 2234.3 states that "on the third unexcused absence in the same quarter, the student shall forfeit credit (receive an F) for the quarter for the class or classes missed."
Attendance Data
A quick correlation
of attendance and grade earned last year (2008-2009) helps illustrate once
more the importance of being in class. Looking
at the entire
student population at McLean last year and their attendance of their
English, math, science, and social studies classes we find the following
relationship:
• Students who earned an 'A' attended class 97.08% of the time
• Students who earned a 'B' attended class 96.64% of the time
• Students who earned a 'C' attended class 95.82% of the time
• Students who earned a 'D' attended class 94.47% of the time
• Students who earned a 'F' or below attended class 90.54% of the time
Absence is defined as:
1) Failure to attend class.
2) Tardiness of 15 minutes or more.
Tardies:
1) Two unexcused tardies equals one unexcused absence in periods 1-6, three
unexcused tardies equal one unexcused absence in period 7.
2) Three excused tardies equals one excused absence in periods 1-6, three
excused tardies equal one excused absence in period 7.
Unexcused absences include:
1) Cutting class.
2) Failure of parent to call the attendance office (703-714-5725) on the
day of the absence and failure of student to present a note from the parent/guardian
explaining the reason for the absence. A note must be submitted to the attendance
office within two days of an absence in order to be considered, otherwise
the
'unverified' absence will become unexcused.
3) Being more than 15 minutes late to class without a valid note from the
attendance office.
4) Accumulating 2 unexcused tardies in periods 1-6 or 3 unexcused tardies
in period 7 in one quarter.
5) Transportation problems, such as missing the bus or oversleeping.
6) Failing to sign in, if reporting to school late. Exception: If student
is unexcused tardy to school (less than 15 minutes), they can go directly
to class.
7) Failing to sign out, if leaving school early.
8) Family vacations.
Consequences for Absences:
1) Course failure for the quarter if 3 or more unexcused absences occur.
2) After-school detention with the teacher may be assigned by the classroom
teacher.
3) Administrative assigned detention after school (2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
on Wednesdays and Fridays.
4) Cumulative discipline after first offense including multiple days of after
school detention, in-school suspension, and possible out of school suspension.
5) Five unexcused absences will result in referral to the School Attendance
Officer. In addition, five absences (all day or same period) during a quarter
will result in forfeiture of driving privileges for the following month.
Excused absences include:
1) Illness of the student.
2) Death in the family.
3) Medical or dental appointment.
4) Observance of a religious holiday.
5) Out-of-school suspension (except certain substance abuse violations).
6) Approved pre-arranged absences scheduled at least two days in advance.
7) An "absence" caused by two or three excused tardies.
8) Other reasons acceptable to the principal or designee.
McLean High School does not recognize senior skip day and will record those absences as unexcused.
Procedure for reporting absences: If a student is absent all day, parents should call the Attendance Office (703-714-5725) on the day of the absence, and the student should present a signed note from a parent within 2 days upon returning to school. If the parent does not call the day of the absence and a note is not received within 2 days, the student's absence is unexcused.
Excessive Absences: If a student accrues 15 absences (excused and/or unexcused) in any class throughout the entire school year, a letter will be sent home and the administration will require medical verification in order for any further absences to be excused. McLean High School will provide the verification forms to be completed by the doctor. Verification must be presented to the Attendance Office within two days of students return to school. This verification procedure includes checking in late, leaving early, leaving through the clinic, as well as full-day absences, and applies to all seven periods.
Extracurricular Activities: Students must attend all scheduled classes during a school day to be able to participate in any school-sponsored extracurricular activity after school that day, including all practices and rehearsals as well as scheduled events. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Principal on a case by case basis.
Prearranged Absences: If a student needs to miss school for a future event, they need to speak with the attendance administrator in the main office. Each case is reviewed individually. Please contact the attendance administrator with the nature, time, and rationale for a student absence. If the prearranged absence is approved, the student will receive a red form with an administrative signature on it that they will then take to their teachers, have them sign it, and return it to the attendance office.
College Visits: Fairfax County and McLean High School recognizes the importance of college visits in order for students to make the best possible decisions for future study. Come to the Attendance Office for a college visit pass. The student must have a college admissions counselor sign the pass and attach an official school stamp in order for the visit to be excused. If you have any questions, please see the attendance administrator in the Main Office.
*Our automatic phone system will call the student's home each evening to notify parents if the student has an unexcused absence in one or more classes on that day.