Absences in a semester may be excused for students falling into one of the following categories:
- Illness, injury or other insurmountable conditions
- Illness or death of a member of the student’s immediate family (Official documentation required)
- Recognized (or established) religious holidays and/or religious instruction
- Medical appointments (Documentation from medical office required)
- Participation in an approved activity or class of instruction held at another school site
- Prearranged absences of educational value with the principal’s or designee’s prior approval
- Head Lice infestation (up to four (4) days during the school year)
If a student is not in class or attends less than half of the class time, the student is considered absent.
Please click on the link below to obtain a copy of the note that needs to be returned within 48 hours of an excused absence.
OCPS Absence Note
Excessive Excused and Unexcused Absences
Unexcused Absences: Students with more than nine (9) unexcused absences in any given class within a semester will automatically receive a failing grade for that semester. The principal can waive this policy in extreme circumstances.
Excused Absences: Students with more than nine (9) excused absences in any given class within a semester must earn a 70% or better on the semester exam to receive credit for the semester.
- Parents and students must provide documentation within forty-eight (48) hours of the student’s return to school to the attendance office for any absence to be considered excused. The documentation must be a district and school approved reason.
- It is the responsibility of the student and parent to maintain track of the student’s attendance period by period.
- After a student is absent for five (5) consecutive days the student must provide the school with a doctor’s note.
- After a student is absent for ten (10) consecutive days the student may be recommended to hospital homebound.
- It is recommended that personal appointments are scheduled during non-school hours to avoid missing class instruction
- Students will not be allowed to make up class work until the absence is excused through the attendance office.
- Students are allowed the number of days absent plus one to make up class assignments upon returning to school. Make-up assignments and tests are the student’s responsibility. Evidence of truancy may eliminate any credit for make-up, i.e., homework, tests, etc.
- Written notices will be sent to parents/guardians of students having five (5) unexcused absences.
- Attendance will be taken each period by the teacher.
- Students under the age of eighteen (18) with more than nine (9) unexcused absences for the school year will be reported to the school social worker.
- Students under the age of eighteen (18) with fifteen (15) absences for the school year may be reported to the Department of Children in Need of Services/Family in Need of Services as a habitual truant.
- Students between the ages of fourteen (14) and eighteen (18) years of age with fifteen (15) unexcused absences (within a 90 day period) will not be able to acquire or maintain a Driver’s License.
- Students cannot be added to a class roll or allowed in class without an add/drop form or administrative approval.
- No student will be permitted to sign into school after 4th period without the presence of a parent or doctor’s note. Parents will be notified by the attendance office if the student is not going to be permitted to school because he/she arrives after 4thperiod.