When a student is absent, the parent/guardian must report the absence to the school by calling the attendance line (410) 313-2880, or e-mailing marta_ichrist@hcpss.org. The message should include the student’s first and last name, grade, date of absence and reason for the absence.
Upon returning to school after an absence, the student must bring a written note signed by a parent/guardian citing the student’s first and last name, the date(s) of the absence and an explanation why the student could not attend school. The student must take the note to the attendance window. Upon receipt of the note, the attendance record in Synergy will be updated to reflect the excused absence.
A student has two days from the date of the absence to bring in a note. If the note is received after the two-day grace period, the absence will remain unexcused. If a note is not received, the absence will be documented as Truant (unexcused). Please see the Secondary Student Handbook for more information.
What is the Difference Between Excused and Unexcused Absences?
A lawful absence is an excused absence for any portion of the day under the following conditions:
· Illness of the student
· Death in the immediate family
· Court summons
· Observance of a religious holiday
· Hazardous weather conditions (as determined by the Superintendent)
· State emergency (as determined by the Governor)
· Suspension
· Lack of authorized transportation (school system transportation)
An unlawful absence (truant) is an unexcused absence for any reason other than those cited as lawful are presumed as unlawful and may constitute truancy. Students unlawfully absent are considered truant:
· Missed bus
· Car trouble
· Traffic
· No parking
Early Dissmissal
If a student needs to leave school early, the student must bring a written note signed by a parent/guardian citing:
1. the first and last name of the student
2. the DATE AND TIME of the early dismissal
3. an explanation why the student will be dismissed early
4. *A note is required even if a student will return to school (i.e. a doctor’s appointment during the school day).
The note should be delivered to the Attendance Secretary, Mrs. Ichrist, in the front office.
The student will show their pass to their teacher at the time of dismissal and the student will be allowed to leave class at that time. They can wait in front of the school, in the main lobby or leave if they are driving themselves. If the student brought a note into the front office, there is no need for a parent/guardian to come into the front office to sign out the student.
If the student is returning to school, the student should check in at the front office upon their return to sign in their return time. The student will need the pass that they received before they left school – it will be signed with the return time. This pass is required to regain entry into the classroom. If the student does not check in at the front office they will remain absent in Synergy for the duration of the school day. A parent/guardian does not have to come in to the Front Office when the student returns to school.
If the student does not have a note from a parent/guardian, the parent/guardian must come in to the front office with photo identification and sign out the student (Only the parent/guardian or emergency contacts can pick up a student). The student will then be called down from their class at that time.
Late Arrival
If a student arrives to school late (arriving in their first period class after 7:25am), the student must bring a written note signed by a parent/guardian or physician citing:
1. the first and last name of the student
2. the date of the late arrival
3. an explanation why the student was late
If a student arrives to school late and does not have a note, a parent/guardian must come in to the front office to sign them in.
If a student arrives to school late and does not have a note and a parent/guardian does not come in to the front office, the student’s late arrival will be marked unexcused (and missed work will not be able to be turned in), even if the reason for the late arrival is valid.
Do you want to be notified if your student is absent?
If you would like a notification if your student is marked absent in first period (e-mails are sent at 11:00 am) please follow the instructions below:
Log into your family file
Click on Attendance
Click on Attendance Notification
Enter your e-mail address
Click submit