Absences

What is considered an excused absence?

The following reasons shall be considered an excused absence when appropriate documentation is submitted to the school within three (3) days of returning to school:

1. Illness of the student (if a student is continually sick and repeatedly absent from school, the student must be under the supervision of a physician in order to receive an excuse from attendance)

2. Major illness in the immediate family of the student

3. Medical appointment (physician note required)

4. Religious holiday

5. Death in the family. Maximum of (3) days per occurrence. A copy of the obituary or prayer card from the funeral can be requested.

6. Head lice, a maximum of one (2) excused day per occurrence

7. Insurmountable conditions such as extreme weather conditions and communicable disease outbreaks

8. Approved school activity

9. Court appearance by student (summons or subpoena required)

10. Attendance at a center under the Department of Children and Families supervision

11. Significant community events with prior permission of the principal

12. Pre-arranged absence which has been approved by the principal/designee

It is the student’s responsibility to request homework/make up assignments from his/her teacher upon the return to school. Students will receive full credit for work that is appropriately completed and submitted within one (1) day for each day of absence.

All other absences not listed above will be considered unexcused

A student may be referred to School Social Work Services for intervention after they have five (5) absences either excused or unexcused. A student may be referred to the school Child Study Team for nonattendance when they have (§ 1003.26, Fla. Stat. (2021)):

1. Five (5) unexcused absences within a calendar month (30 calendar day)

2. Ten (10) unexcused absences within a ninety (90) calendar day period

3. A pattern of non-attendance is established.

If the school Child Study Team finds that a pattern of non-attendance is developing, whether the absences are excused or not, a meeting with the parent must be scheduled to identify potential remedies and assist in removing barriers.

A student who has fifteen (15) or more unexcused absences within a ninety (90) calendar day period is considered a habitual truant and interventions leading to court action may occur (§ 1003.27, Fla. Stat. (2021)).