What to do if your child is absent

1. On the day of the student's absence, a parent/guardian is asked to call the Attendance Office at (240) 236-7200, prompt 3 after 7:00 a.m. to inform the school of their child’s absence. If the parent/guardian fails to call the school that morning, the school will attempt to contact the parent/guardian regarding the absence.
   
   
2. Within two (2) days of returning to school following an absence, the student must bring a note from the parent/guardian, or the absence is automatically classified as unlawful. These notes must contain the date(s) and reason(s) for the absence(s). The note will be presented to the attendance secretary. Only students with principal-approved age of majority may sign their own notes.
   
   
3. The parent/guardian may write notes for up to ten (10) days of student's absences due to illness per semester. Ten days of absence, lawful or unlawful, in a semester is considered excessive. Students with excessive absences are required to provide official documentation for each additional absence. This means a note from a doctor, dentist, court official, counselor, or other agency personnel is now required whenever your child is absent from school. In some cases, students with ongoing physical conditions may use a single doctor’s note to excuse a number of absences. If this is the case, please contact the school to discuss this possibility.
   
   
4. Parents are encouraged to always get a doctor's note whenever their child is absent due to an illness and is seen by a doctor.
   
   
5. Students with more than five (5) unlawful absences in any 9-week grading period will automatically fail for that grading period.
   
   
6. Students who are unlawfully absent more than 10 days for a semester course or more than 20 days for a year-long course will lose credit regardless of grades earned. Students whose absences have placed them in danger of losing credit can reinstate themselves by attending Saturday School. Attendance at each 3 1/2 hour Saturday School session will earn the student a half-day credit.