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Attendance

WPHS Procedures for Absences

To help students develop desirable behavior patterns and maximize their learning, Fairfax County Public Schools requires that students be punctual and regular in school class attendance. When attendance problems develop, the school system’s resources are made available to aid in solutions to these problems.” It is the responsibility of a parent or guardian to excuse absences within two days. FCPS Regulation 2234 states that “regular attendance is necessary for maximum school achievement. In addition, punctuality and dependability in meeting assigned responsibilities are personal behavior habits valued in our society.”


Excused Absences, Check-Ins, and Check-Outs

  • Excusing Absences—a parent/guardian must submit written notes/e-mails/faxes to the Attendance Office to follow-up on absences no later than two days following the student’s return to school. Please identify the student’s complete name and grade level, home phone number, and parent’s/guardian’s work number on all notes. Notes received after two days will be referred to the child’s administrator.

Attendance e-mail: WestPotomacHSAttendance@fcps.edu  Attendance fax: 703-718-2612

  • Excusing Check-Ins—students arriving late to school (at any time) must report to the Attendance Office first, before going anywhere, even if they arrive during lunch or in between periods. Written notes/e-mails/faxes are required at the time of check-in. If not, students will be signed in as unexcused and have two days to bring in a note from a parent or guardian. Students who fail to check in will not have their absence excused. Students are responsible to check in with teacher(s) that day to avoid a penalty on any homework due or tests/quizzes given in classes missed.

  • Excusing Check-Outs—students checking out before the end of the school day should have a parent note/e-mail/fax to alert staff of the early release. Check out passes are issued by the Attendance Office. Students are asked to bring written notes to the Attendance Office first thing in the morning to assist with volume and staff notification. A hall pass will be given to the student stating the time he or she is to be released from class to go to the Attendance Office to sign out.

  • Out of Town Parents—whenever a parent or guardian is out of town or otherwise unavailable for the school to contact (due to travel, etc.), the parent/guardian must inform the counselor or administrator in advance to notify who is authorized to excuse absences occurring during this period of time.

Pre-Arranged Absences

Whenever a student knows he/she will need to miss school, he/she should communicate with his/her teachers to plan accordingly. For multiple consecutive days of school missed, a student must complete a pre-arranged absence form. This should be done at least three school days in advance by submitting a note to their administrator from the parent/guardian stating the reason for the absence and the exact dates of absence. After tentative approval is given by the administrator, the student is given a form that must be signed by all of his/her teachers. The student must return the completed form to the administrator at least one day in advance of the absence before final approval will be given. Students are expected to make up any missed work.

Excessive Absences

  • Five consecutive and/or twelve cumulative absences are considered “excessive.”  FCPS Regulation 2234 states that “the principal or his or her designee may require a physician’s note in cases of chronic or long-term illness.” A doctor’s note/official documentation is required to excuse any future absences. Any future absences without proper documentation will become unexcused. This includes check-outs from the clinic.

Academic Impact of Absences

  • Academic Credit—grading is based on work performance.  Students are responsible for completing missed assignments and following up with course activity as posted to FCPS 24/7 (Blackboard).  Teachers will help the student and parent or guardian identify missed work.  

 

Unexcused Absences and Tardies

  • Skip Days—“Skip days” are prohibited and are unexcused absences.

  • Leaving School Grounds—all Fairfax County schools have a closed campus policy, which means that every student must remain on the school grounds during the school day—including lunch—unless proper checkout procedures are followed. This includes going to your car to get an item you forgot in the morning. Failure to do so will result in unexcused absences and disciplinary action.

  • Truancy—truancy is against state law. Per FCPS Regulation 2234, the school is required to submit an attendance referral to the Fairfax County truancy officer whenever a student accrues five unexcused absences. Truancy can result in legal action for both the student and the parent.

  • Tardies—students are considered late to class if they arrive late within the first 20 minutes of class; thereafter, they are to be marked absent. Students are to be in their seats when the bell rings to begin the class period. Tardiness may result in a detention with the teacher. Habitual tardiness may also result in other disciplinary action.

  • Attendance Misrepresentation—will be subject to disciplinary action.

  • Disciplinary Consequences—

    • Assigned after-school detention, Saturday detention, or in-school suspension

    • Revoked school parking privilege

    • Exclusion from extracurricular activities and school trip privileges

    • Formal attendance referral submitted to the Attendance Officer for further action and possible Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court sanctions

Extracurricular Activity Eligibility


Students must be present in school and in good standing the entire day in order to participate in any after-school Student activities scheduled on that day. Exceptions to this standard may be made with the prior approval of the principal or his/her designee.