Blake High School

Ms. Wai-Mei On

Office: 240.740.1400

Absence

When a student is absent for all or part of a school day, a parent or guardian must report the absence in writing or email (a note doesn’t mean the absence is excused). It is not necessary to call. The absence note or email must be sent by a parent or guardian to the attendance secretary within three school days after the student returns to school. Otherwise, the absence will be considered unexcused. Please see the attendance template to print off and use for your convenience. The absence note should include the following:

• Student Name
• ID Number
• Grade
• Correct Dates of Absence and/or period(s)
• Specific Reason for the Absence 
• Parent/Guardian daytime telephone number
• Parent/Guardian signature
• A doctor’s note for absences greater than three days

Have your student make up missed work- Students should communicate with their teachers to obtain missed assignment instructions.

Early Departure 

Send a note or email to the attendance secretary in advance for all planned early dismissals (e.g. a dentist appointment).  You may use the absence note template for paper notes. Be sure to include:

• Student Name
• ID Number
• Grade
• Date & time of dismissal
• Whether the student is driving or will be picked up
• Specific Reason for leaving (‘family emergency’ is too vague)
• Parent/Guardian daytime telephone number
• Parent/Guardian signature

College Visits

Juniors and Seniors: If you are planning a college visit, please submit a note or email from your parent or guardian. Also, please submit a confirmation letter or email from the college as well to the attendance office at least three days in advance to be excused. Blake High School permits up to five college visits per current school year. Check with attendance periodically to see how many visits you have remaining.

Extended Absences Needing Prior Approval 

Students requesting an extended absence must send in a note or email from the parent or guardian to an administrator for prior approval. 

The Blake student handbook includes more detailed information regarding the MCPS attendance policy and guidelines. Please be sure to review the policy with your student at the beginning of school.

Board Policy 

See Montgomery County Public Schools Regulation, JEA-RA, Student Attendance for more information.

• NEW for FY24- Unexcused Absences of greater than ten (10) consecutive days will result in withdrawal due to non-attendance

• In order to be in line with MSDE guidelines and other school districts in Maryland, MCPS will be reducing the number of days from 15 to 10 for students to be withdrawn for non-attendance.
  
  
• Notes regarding absences must be presented to the Attendance Office within three (3) days of returning to school.
  
  
• Students who anticipate being absent should bring a note to the attendance office 48 hours prior to the day of their absence, i.e. college visits, school-related activities, religious observance, etc. College visits are limited to 11th and 12th grade students and may not exceed three (3) days per year.
  
  
• Students who participate in sports and extracurricular activities must attend school all day on any day they participate in an event. Furthermore, participation in an athletic event is not a reason to be absent or tardy the following day.