• Florida law requires each parent of a student from five to sixteen years of age to be responsible for the student’s school attendance. Students who have attained the age of 16 years and who have not graduated are subject to compulsory school attendance until the formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment is filed with the district school board by the student or parent/legal guardian of a student who is less than 18 years of age.

    Absences


    It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to notify the school regarding the reason for a student’s absence the morning the student is absent or within 24 hours.

    Absence is nonattendance of a student at school or in an approved educational activity/field trip or program on days school is in session. A student who is not physically present at school or not participating in an approved school activity as defined under the compulsory school law shall be counted absent and shall not be recorded as in attendance on that day.

    The law allows absences for illness and medical care, death in the family, religious holidays, prearranged absences for educational purposes approved by an administrator, and/or financial and certain other special circumstances and insurmountable conditions. A student with an excused absence is not subject to any disciplinary or academic penalties.

    Unexcused absences are absences which are not used for the legitimate purposes described above. 


    Hall Passes

    If students are not in a classroom during a class period, they are responsible for having the appropriate pass. All students in the hallways or on the campus without such permission will receive the appropriate consequences.


    All students in the hallways or on the campus without such permission will receive the appropriate consequences.

    Make-up Assignments


    Students who have an excused absence shall make up any missed assignments. The length of time within which assignments may be made up will be determined by the extent and nature of the absence. The teacher will offer every reasonable support and understanding to the student regarding make-up assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete all missed assignments or make-up work.

    The student should check with the teacher upon his or her return to school, and it is the student’s responsibility to confirm the make-up assignments with each teacher. Failure to make up assignments within the allotted time frame may result in a failing grade.

    A student with an unexcused absence shall make up assignments and may receive an “F” for the daily grade.

    A student who receives an Incomplete (I) for a grading period has two weeks to make up all assignments. After two weeks the Incomplete becomes an F. Exceptions can be granted by the Principal.

    A student who has been suspended shall be given the opportunity to make up assignments with the decisions on make-up work for any subsequent suspension to be determined by the administration.

    Parent Responsibility


    Florida Statute 1003.24 defines the responsibility of parents for the attendance of their child at school and requires them to provide an explanation for any absence from school.

    If a student has unauthorized absences sufficient enough to jeopardize academic progress and it is determined that the student’s parent or legal guardian is at fault for the absence, in accordance with FS 1003.24, the procedures under FS 1003.26 and 1003.27 shall be followed by the appropriate school personnel.

    Prolonged Absences


    Parents or guardians must notify the Attendance Office via telephone and supporting documentation as soon as they become aware of the possibility of excessive absenteeism.

    Signing In and Out of School


    Students may not leave campus during school hours without signing out in the Attendance Office. Permission to leave campus (such as for medical appointments, illness, etc.) will be given only with parent/guardian authorization.

    All students who return to school after checking out must sign in at the Attendance Office. A student who leaves campus during class time without signing out will receive unexcused absence(s) for the time
    he/she is out of class.

    Tardiness

    A student who arrives unexcused to class up to 5 minutes after the bell scheduled beginning time shall be recorded as tardy.  The third tardy will result in a referral. 

    Students who arrive more than five (5) minutes after the start of a class without a pass shall be recorded as absent and sent to ISS (In-school suspension) and a referral will be written.