Attendance Policy

Excused and Unexcused Absences 

Excused Absences

• Student illness
• Medical appointment
• Death in the family
• Religious holiday
• Prearranged absence  

Unexcused Absences

• Oversleeping
• Missing bus or ride
• Vehicle or traffic problems
• Failure to check-in or check-out
• Failure to prearrange required absences, such as trips or medical procedures  

Attendance Line

Please use our online attendance form or call the attendance line at 703-934-2424 to report all absences and late arrivals. It is available 24/7. Clearly state your name, your child’s name, correct spelling, the reason for absence, and a return phone number. Please note that calls received after 9:00 a.m. may result in an automated attendance call going out. Staff will do their best to update attendance as soon as possible. For late arrivals, please provide a signed and dated note from a parent/guardian or, if it applies, a doctor’s note to verify appointments. Otherwise, parents/guardians are asked to come into the office to verify the student’s late arrival.

Pre-Arranged Absences

Absences of 3 days or more require a Pre-Arranged Absence form. Parents should provide a signed and dated note listing the student’s first and last names, dates of absence, and reason for the absence. The student should bring the note to the office at least one week prior to the planned absence. Then, once approved, the student will be given the form to collect assignments. Approval for prearranged absences allows students enough time to complete the missed assignments while they are away and the opportunity to keep pace with the class. All schoolwork assigned by a teacher for approved prearranged absences will be due upon the student’s return. For absences of only 1 or 2 days, students are expected to check Schoology for assignments or contact their teachers directly.

Early Dismissals

Prior to leaving school early, a student must bring a note signed by a parent or guardian to the front office at the beginning of the school day stating the reason for leaving and the planned time of departure. The student will be given a pink early dismissal/check-out form by the office staff. This will be his/her pass to depart from class at the indicated time. Parents must come into the office to sign-out their child. A record of each student's check-outs will be kept by the office. In some cases, the office staff may ask that doctor, dentist, court, or attorney appointments are confirmed in writing on office stationery by the professional visited. If a student returns to school again later the same day, he/she must check-in at the office. 

Homework

If a student is absent three or more consecutive days, parents may request homework by calling the main office at 703-934-2400 and asking to speak to your child's counselor.