Attendance

It is important for students to be at school to take advantage of learning opportunities.  When students are absent, they miss important instruction which may impact academic achievement.

Absences

• If you must be absent, a parent/guardian should call or email the Attendance Office to report your absence.

  • (240) 236-6400 

  • THSAttendance@fcps.org 

• Within 2 days of returning to school, bring a note from parent/guardian so the absence may be excused.  Bring to the Attendance Office before going to Block 1.

  • Notes must contain:

    • Student’s first and last name

    • Date(s) of absence

    • Reason for absence

• Parents/guardians may write notes for up to 10 days of absences per semester, however this many absences is considered excessive.

  • Students with excessive absences must provide additional documentation for new absences:

    • Note from doctor or dentist

    • Note from court official, counselor, or other agency personnel

• Notes from a doctor are encouraged when student is absent due to illness and seen by a doctor.

• Per FCPS Regulation 400-98, students with excessive unlawful absences will meet with an administrator and a parent/guardian to develop an attendance contract.

  • 5 unexcused absences per term (9-week grading period)

  • 10 unexcused absences per semester

  • 20 unexcused absences per year

Excused Absences

• Missing full days, arriving late, and leaving early all count as school absences.

• Absences considered lawful/excused are:

  • Illness of the student

  • Death in the immediate family

  • Court summons

  • Hazardous weather conditions

  • Work or activity accepted by school authorities

  • Observance of religious holiday

  • State emergency

  • Suspension 

  • Lack of authorized transportation

  • Other emergency (at judgment of the Superintendent or designee)

• Students taking family trips may be excused no more than 2 times during the school year, for a maximum of 5 days

• Students visiting colleges may be excused for up to 4 days per school year

Absences and Make-up Work

• Absences may impact your academic progress in your classes, which may result in not earning course credit/ non-promotion.

• Per FCPS Regulation 400-98, students who are absent have the right to make up class work missed and to have this work reviewed and evaluated by the teacher to be included in the grade.

• Students have the responsibility to request and complete missed work.