A written note signed by the parent/guardian on the day of a student’s return to school should specify the date(s) and the reason(s) for the absences(s). The following absence will be considered excused for the following reasons: illness, serious illness or death in the immediate family, religious holiday, participation in an academic class or program, prearranged absences pre-approved by the school administration, or court date. When a student returns to school from an absence, the student must have proper documentation for the absence.

• Makeup Work: All students shall be given the opportunity to makeup work per School Board Policy. A student has the number of days he/she was excused plus one extra day to complete makeup work. It is the student’s responsibility to request work from the teacher and to arrange to make-up tests/quizzes.

• Loss of Driver’s License Due to Excessive Absence: If a student accrues 5 or more unexcused absences in a 15-day period, or 15 unexcused within a 30-day period, that student will have his/her driver’s license suspended or revoked. If a student does not have a license, they will be unable to obtain a driver’s license until their attendance situation is remedied. Once revoked, a student must attend school for 30 consecutive days without an absence to have the license re-established.

• Tardiness: If a student arrives to school before 7:15 A.M. the student should report to their 1 st /2nd period class where they will receive a lunch detention from their teacher (submitted through CASTLE). If a student arrives after 7:15 A.M. the student must sign in at the attendance office. A note may be brought in to excuse any tardy. Reasons for excusing a tardy include illness, medical, family emergency, or a district transportation problem.  When the late bell rings to begin periods 3rd -8th, teachers will close and lock their doors. When a student arrives at the classroom door, the student will be admitted to the class. The teacher will submit a lunch detention (via CASTLE) for the tardy.

• Habitual Truant: Habitual Truants are defined as students who have accrued 15 unexcused absences within 90 calendar days, with or without the knowledge or consent of the student’s parent or legal guardian as defined by law. All students who are identified as habitual truants will be referred to the School Social Worker and the State of Florida, per law.