What Others Are Doing

Other counties in Virginia include other excusable absences and /or allow consequences to be determined on an individual basis:  (mainly per boarddocs.com)

Roanoke County- no requirement except that work be made up.

Roanoke City- “Students, upon returning to school, must bring a valid note stating the reason for absence. Unexcused absences shall be handled according to regulations issued by the superintendent.”

Corrective Actions:  Corrective actions for each offense are based on the severity and particulars of each individual case and situation.  The list of corrective actions has been provided to assist administrators in selecting an appropriate combination of consequences and is not intended as a step -by-step process to be followed for each case.

Loudon County

Trips and activities that enhance or extend the student’ education, when approved in advance by the principal.

Hampton City-

• Fifteen (15) or more unexcused absences in a school year may result in retention.
• Fifteen (15) consecutive days of unverified absences in a school year will result in the student being withdrawn from the attendance roll in accordance with state regulations.

Newport News:

boarddocs Newport news:  http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/nnps/Board.nsf/9735ee562d84fea785256d7400548647/5e77087ad7876e2e85256fa1005f769d?OpenDocument

Excused absences continued:

Exclusions/Suspensions – For absences because of an exclusion or suspension, the parent will be notified of the suspension/exclusion and the date when the student will be expected to return to school. The student must return on the indicated date.

Exceptional Circumstances– The principal may approve prearranged absences for situations in which an exemption from attendance appears to be in the best interests of the student and his/her family.

• • Prior to the student’s absence, the parent/guardian must complete the Request for Exceptional Circumstance to Attendance Form. The parent will document on this request the rationale for the absence, dates of absence, and siblings within the school division for whom the exception will be also requested. The principal must provide the response to the Request for Exceptional Circumstances in writing to the parent. In documented, extenuating circumstances, the principal may approve an absence after-the-fact as exempt from the sanctions of the attendance policy.
  • For those circumstances which cause the student to be absent and prior request for approval is not possible, the parent/guardian must complete the Request for Exceptional Circumstances within two days of the student’s return to school.
  • No more than five days may be approved by the principal for exceptional circumstances during a school year. For requests of more than fives days, the request must be endorsed by the principal and approved by the superintendent/designee.

MAKE-UP WORK

1. When students are absent (except for circumstances included in #2 below), an opportunity to make up work will be provided. Make-up work is encouraged so that students will profit from future instruction.  In middle and high school, it is the student’s responsibility to ask the teacher for the make-up work.  Work (including tests) missed due to an absence may be made up and credit given for such work.  Upon the student’s return to school, he/she must make up the work within five school days. Additional time may be granted by the principal due to extenuating circumstances. A student will not be penalized for a teacher’s absence.

Students are encouraged to get make-up work assignments before returning to school. They may do this by:

Absence of one or two days: Contact a friend in class to obtain information on work missed.

Absence of three or more days: Call the school office requesting assignments remembering that teachers need 24 hours to prepare assignments.

2. When students cut class or cut school, (Rules 1B or 1C of the students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook), high school teacher shall assign a grade of “F” for any work or test missed due to an absence that resulted from class cutting or school cutting or due to an absence resulting from a disciplinary infraction that occurred in the teacher’s class. Teachers who assign grades on a five-point scale will give a zero to student work for the reasons stated in this procedure. For teachers who use a numerical grading system, the determination of the numerical grade equivalent of “F” will be left to the discretion of the individual teacher.

Fairfax County- This policy supersedes Policy 2232.2.

I. PURPOSE
To establish policy regarding student attendance and school attendance procedures.

II. SUMMARY OF CHANGES SINCE LAST PUBLICATION
A. Section III. clarified excused absences, unexcused absences, and releasing students.
B. Section IV. changed “Alternative Attendance Procedures” to read “Alternative
Attendance Procedures for Secondary Schools” and rewrote section for clarification.

III. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES
Every student must attend school during prescribed hours.

A. Excused Absences
An excused absence is one for which parents or guardians have prior knowledge,
consent, and/or legitimate reason. Legitimate reasons may include: illness of the
student, death in the family, doctor or dental appointment, observance of a religious
holiday, suspension except for certain violations as provided in the current version of
Regulation 2601, Student Responsibilities and Rights, or another reason acceptable
to the principal or his or her designee. The principal or his or her designee
determines whether or not absences will be excused and may require a physician’s
note in cases of chronic or long-term illness. Parents or guardians and students are
encouraged to prearrange excused absences when possible.

B. Unexcused Absences
An unexcused absence is one for which the parent or guardian does not have prior
knowledge, consent, and/or legitimate reason. Examples of reasons that are not
justified and will result in an unexcused absence include: family and/or student
vacations, child care situations, nonschool-related activities, missed school bus, or
other reasons unacceptable to the principal or his or her designee. This definition
holds for all day and period absences.

When students are absent without prior communication between the parent or
guardian and the school, school personnel will notify the parent or guardian by phone
or electronic communication and take appropriate action based on the individual.