Attendance

BAS Attendance Policy (Revised 10/17/2025)

Regular school attendance and promptness are important to a student’s academic success and also promotes good work habits and self-discipline. Parents can support their students and the BAS staff by cooperating with the following requests: 

1. Have students arrive at school early enough so that they can be in their seats ready for morning worship at 8:30 a.m. Attendance is taken promptly at 8:30am in each homeroom. It is important that students arrive at school early enough so they can get ready for the day to start (unpack backpacks, organize their supplies, take AR quizzes, etc.) 

a.) All teachers pick up their students at 8:15am from the gymnasium. It is recommended that students arrive at 8:15.

2. Whenever possible, arrange medical appointments for students outside of school hours. 

3. If at any time it is necessary to have a student be absent, arrive late, or leave early due to a medical appointment, please notify the teacher in writing. Such a note of explanation does not necessarily excuse the student.  

4. Extended unexcused absences require filling out the "Pre-Arranged Absence Form" through the main office.

5. Parents are to report all unplanned absences to the school office by email on the day of the absence. 

6. Observe the dates provided in the school calendar for the beginning and ending of vacation periods. 

7. Parents desiring assignments for absent students must email the teachers to request them. 

8. Students that miss school may not come later for intramurals, sports practice or any other afterschool club.

Excused Absences & Tardies: 

The following are considered excused absences: illness, funeral, family emergencies, religious observances and school-approved activities.  Written documentation may be required to excuse an absence. Students are responsible for completing and turning in all assignments the week they return from being out due to illness. Tests and/or quizzes missed will be scheduled for a makeup day.

Prearranged Absences:  (Pre-Arranged Absence Form must be submitted to the principal.)

Although regular school attendance is important to the success of a student, there are times when it becomes necessary for a student to be absent from school. Parents need to notify, in writing and in advance, their student’s teacher(s) of all pre-planned absences. Students are responsible for completing and turning in all assignments the week they return from a prearranged absence in which they missed one or more school days. Tests and/or quizzes missed will be scheduled for makeup upon the student’s return. Students should prepare to take all tests and quizzes that were announced prior to their absence. 

Families need to complete a form requesting their prearranged absence and receive administrative approval five days prior to any planned absence or the absences may be considered unexcused. Only with administrative approval can a student expect to make up any missed assignments and assessments, with the knowledge some special assignments are impossible to make up or plan for in advance. Teachers are not required to provide make-up or alternate work for absences that have not gone through the prearranged absence process.

Tardiness: 

Promptness is essential for the success of students. Students entering homeroom after 8:30 a.m. disrupt the opening procedures and/or miss out on initial directions. Tardiness for any reason other than medical appointments are considered an unexcused tardy. 

Truancy:

Maryland State Law defines truancy as 8 unexcused days in a quarter, 15 days in any semester OR 20 unlawful absences within a school year. BAS will follow Maryland state guidelines in handling cases of truancy. If a satisfactory plan cannot be agreed upon or followed, the student may be recommended to the BAS School Board for expulsion or immediate withdrawal.

BAS Attendance Procedure:

1. The homeroom teacher will notify the parent in writing when a student has 3 unexcused absences or 5 unexcused tardies. The BAS administration will be copied on these notifications.

2. Upon the 6th unexcused absence or 8th unexcused tardy, the parents will receive written communication from a BAS administrator. 

3. After the 7th unexcused absence, the school board chair will be notified. The attendance will be reviewed with the BAS School Board Chair and a letter will be sent on behalf of the Board.

4. If the truancy problems persist, the BAS School Board will take further action. These actions may include: Notifying social services and/or taking steps to dismiss the student.

Excused absence & tardiness:

1. Verified illness with a doctor’s note, quarantine or has a contagious disease, dental, optometrical or other medical appointments. 2. There has been a death in the immediate family. (parent, grandparent, sibling, uncle and aunt) 3. Schools closed for weather related emergencies in the county where the student resides, when a Potomac school is open.

Other absences: 

In the case of emergencies over which the parents or guardians have no control, the principal may excuse the following absences and tardies. Most absences or tardies can be excused with a parent note to the classroom teacher or office manager. 1. Poor weather conditions, 2. Transportation break-down, 3. Required court attendance.