Gaithersburg High School - Attendance Policy

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Montgomery County Public Schools

In response to automated calls from our Attendance Office, or for any attendance concerns, please email:

Myrian Fuentes, or
Gabrielle Tomlin

Attendance and Tardiness:

Students are expected to be present and on time each day and every class period. Not being in class regularly will prove detrimental to his/her academic success and may result in consequences as described below and in the school agenda book.
Students must turn in a note, signed by the legal guardian, to the attendance office within 3 days of returning to school. Absences will be considered “lawful” or “unlawful” in accordance with MCPS guidelines, as outlined in the school agenda book.
When a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to get missed/make-up work from the teacher and to complete and submit that work in a timely manner. Opportunities to submit work for credit will be determined in accordance with the school policy (as outlined below).

Attendance Policy

First Unlawful Absence:	Teacher will acknowledge absence to student.
Third Unlawful Absence:	Teacher will contact parents.
Fifth Unlawful Absence:	Teacher will notify grade level administrator in writing and the appropriate consequence will be assigned.
Continued Absences:	Student will be referred to the Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) process.

Tardiness Policy

First Unexcused Tardy:	Verbal warning
Second Unexcused Tardy:	Teacher will contact parents
Third Unexcused Tardy:	Teacher assigns detention
Continued Tardiness:	Administrative detention and student/parent conference

Students are expected to attend classes each day unless they have an excused absence. According to state regulations, absences from school for the following reasons are lawful and shall be excused:

Death in the immediate family
Certified illness of the student
Court summons
Work or activity accepted by school authorities
Observance of religious holiday
Quarantine
Physical and mental incapacity
Violent storm
State emergency

When a student is absent, his or her parent or guardian should call the school at 301-840-4714. The student must also bring a note to the attendance office within three days of his or her return to school. Also, if a student is tardy or needs an early dismissal, the parent or guardian must provide a note to the attendance office.

Required information for all absence/tardy/early dismissal notes:

Date of note
Student name and ID number
Date(s) of absence/tardy/early dismissal
Reason for absence/tardy/early dismissal
Parent/Guardian’s name Parent/Guardian’s signature
Current work and home telephone numbers

NOTE: Absence for vacation is UNEXCUSED.

Additional Attendance Policies and Procedures:

Make-up Work: Lawful Absences: Students will be given 1 day for each day they are absent to make up assignments. Due dates and deadlines will be adjusted for short-term assignments. Due dates and deadlines may be adjusted for long-term assignments at the teachers’ discretion.; Unlawful Absences: Students will be required to follow the due dates and deadlines originally established. If tests and/or major assignments have the same due date and deadline, students will receive a “0”.
College Visits: College visits are typically for juniors and seniors. The appropriate grade level administrator must approve a written note regarding college visits at least 5 school days in advance. College visits are limited to 5 days per year.
Dismissal from Health Room: Students dismissed from school by the Health Room technician or nurse must sign out in the Attendance Office. Upon departing, student must present the Health Room dismissal slip to the Attendance Office. In return, the Attendance Office will make note on the attendance bulletin. Students who feel ill during the day must report to the Health Room in order to be excused for early departure.
Early Dismissal Procedures: Students will be excused for early dismissal only by presenting a note to the Attendance Office before 7:25 am. No student will be excused without a note. Telephone calls requesting early dismissal will not be honored. Student will not be permitted to leave without written confirmation.
Excuse Notes: A note from a parent or guardian is required to excuse any absence. A physician’s note may be required for chronic recurring extended absences due to illness. Notes regarding absences must be presented to the Attendance Office within 3 days of returning to school. After 3 days have passed, an absence is coded as unexcused.
Late arrival: Students arriving after 7:35 am must sign in at the Attendance Office. A note from a parent/guardian or physician citing an excusable absence is required to excuse any tardy.
NOTE: It is the standard policy of the Attendance Office to verify notes for excusing absences, tardies, and early dismissals by telephoning parents/guardians.