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Off Campus Form

5200 - ATTENDANCE

 The educational program offered by this District is predicated upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation. Attendance shall be required of all students enrolled in the schools during the days and hours that the school is in session. School attendance is the responsibility of parents and students. Absences shall be reported to the school attendance office by the parent or adult student as soon as practicable.  

In accordance with statute, the Superintendent shall require from the parent of each student of compulsory school age, or from an adult student, who has been absent from school or from class for any reason, a statement of the cause for such absence. The School Board reserves the right to verify such statements and to investigate the cause of each single absence.  

In addition, educators have the responsibility to encourage regular attendance of students, maintain accurate attendance records, and follow reporting procedures prescribed by the Superintendent. Schools will record absent and tardy students in the automated student attendance recordkeeping system.  

Provision shall be made for promoting school attendance through adjustment of personal problems, education of parents, and enforcement of the compulsory attendance laws and related child welfare legislation. Accordingly:  

1. absences must be reported to the school by the parent or adult student as soon as practicable;
    

   Failure to report and explain the absence(s) shall result in unexcused absence(s). The final authority for determining acceptability of the reason for the absence(s) shall rest with the Principal.

    

2. upon each unexcused absence, or absence for which the reason is unknown, the Principal or designee shall contact the student's parent to determine the reason for the absence.  

3. teachers shall record absentees each period of the school day and report absences, excused and unexcused, as required by the school;

    

4. insofar as possible, parents should be contacted each time their child has an unexcused absence, or an absence for which the reason is unknown, to prevent the development of patterns of nonattendance;

    

5. when a student has at least five (5) unexcused absences or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a calendar month, or ten (10) unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a ninety (90) calendar day period, the teacher shall report to the Principal or designee that the child may be exhibiting a pattern of nonattendance;
   
   Unless there is clear evidence that the absences are not a pattern of nonattendance, the Principal will refer the case to the school's problem-solving team/multi-tiered systems of support team (MTSS) to determine if early patterns of truancy are developing. If the problem-solving team/MTSS finds that a pattern of nonattendance is developing, a meeting with the parent must be scheduled to identify potential remedies. If the problem is not resolved, the problem-solving team/MTSS will implement interventions set forth in, and act in accordance with, the requirements of F.S. 1003.26.
    

   1. If a parent refused to participate in the remedial strategies determined by the problem-solving team/MTSS because s/he believes that the strategies are unnecessary or inappropriate, the parent may appeal to the site-based administrator.
       

   2. The next level of appeal will be heard by a district-level hearing officer/committee who will make recommendations for final action to the Superintendent.
       

   3. If the Superintendent's final determination is that the strategies of the problem-solving team/MTSS are appropriate, and the parent still refuses to participate or cooperate, the Superintendent may seek criminal prosecution for noncompliance with compulsory school attendance.

       

If the parent of a child who has been identified as exhibiting a pattern of nonattendance enrolls the child in a home education program pursuant to F.S. Chapter 1002, the Superintendent shall provide the parent a copy of F.S. 1002.41 and the accountability requirements set forth in F.S. 1003.26. The Superintendent shall also refer the parent to a home education review committee composed of the District contact for home education programs and at least two (2) home educators selected by the parent from a District list of all home educators who have conducted a home education program for at least three (3) years and who have indicated a willingness to serve on the committee. The home education review committee shall review the portfolio of the student, as defined by F.S. 1002.41, every thirty (30) days during the District’s regular school terms until the committee is satisfied that the home education program is in compliance with F.S. 1002.41(1)(d). The first portfolio review must occur within the first thirty (30) calendar days of the establishment of the program. The following provisions shall also occur if the committee does not determine that the home education program is in compliance with F.S. 1002.41(1)(d):  

1. If the parent fails to provide a portfolio to the committee, the committee shall notify the Superintendent.
    

2. The Superintendent shall then terminate the home education program and require the parent to enroll the child in an attendance option that meets the definition of "regular school attendance" under F.S. 1003.01 within three (3) days. 
    

3. Upon termination of a home education program pursuant to this subparagraph, the parent shall not be eligible to reenroll the child in a home education program for 180 calendar days.
    

4. Failure of a parent to enroll the child in an attendance option as required by this subparagraph after termination of the home education program pursuant to this subparagraph shall constitute noncompliance with the compulsory attendance requirements of F.S. 1003.21 and may result in criminal prosecution under F.S. 1003.27(2).
    

5. Nothing contained herein shall restrict the ability of the superintendent to review the portfolio pursuant to F.S. 1002.41(1)(e).
    

6. If a student subject to compulsory school attendance will not comply with attempts to enforce school attendance, the parent or the superintendent shall refer the case to the case staffing committee pursuant to F.S. 984.12 and the superintendent may file a truancy petition pursuant to the procedures in F.S. 984.151.
   
   Under the direction of the superintendent, the designee shall give written notice that requires enrollment or attendance within three (3) days after the date of notice, in person or by return-receipt mail, to the parent when no valid reason is found for a student’s non-enrollment in school.
    

   1. If the notice and requirement are ignored, the designee shall report the case to the superintendent, who may refer the case to the child study team at the school the student would be assigned according to attendance area policies or to the case staffing committee, established pursuant to F.S. 984.12.
       

   2. The child study team shall diligently facilitate intervention services and shall report the case back to the superintendent only when all reasonable efforts to resolve the non-enrollment behavior are exhausted.
       

   3. If the parent still refuses to cooperate or enroll the child in school, the superintendent shall take such steps as are necessary to bring criminal prosecution against the parent. Subsequently, the superintendent shall give written notice in person or by return-receipt mail to the parent that criminal prosecution is being sought for nonattendance. The superintendent may file a truancy petition, as defined in F.S. 984.03, following the procedures outlined in F.S. 984.151.

       

Each school should establish procedures to ensure good attendance.
 

Make-Up for Absences  

For excused absences, the student shall have a reasonable amount of time, up to three (3) school days, to complete make-up work. Principals or designee may grant extensions to the make-up time limit for extenuating circumstances.  

For unexcused absences, each Principal shall establish site-specific policies that encourage both regular attendance and high academic achievement, and shall review and modify these policies from time-to-time as required to maintain and improve their effectiveness.  

Excused Absences  

The Board considers the following factors to be reasonable excuses for time missed at school:  

1. Personal illness of the student (medical evidence may be required by the principal or designee for absences exceeding five (5) consecutive days).

    

2. Court appearance of the student.

    

3. Medical appointment of the student.  

4. Pregnancy-related issues (see also Policy 5751).  

5. Approved school activity.

    

6. Insurmountable conditions. Insurmountable conditions are extreme weather conditions, communicable disease outbreaks, and local conditions determined by the District which, after taking into account the materials circumstances, would render impracticable a student's attendance at school. (F.A.C. 6A-1.09513)

    

7. Other absences with prior approval of the principal or designee.

    

8. Attendance at a center under Children and Families Services supervision.

    

9. Significant community events with prior permission of the Principal.

    

10. Religious instruction or religious holiday.

     

11. Death in the immediate family.

     

12. Appointments for a therapy service provided by a licensed health care practitioner or behavior analyst certified pursuant to Florida law for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder including, but not limited to, applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.  

13. Extenuating circumstances determined by the Superintendent or designee in accordance with State laws and Board rules.

     

Absences not included in excused absences listed above shall be unexcused.  

Students may not be given excused absences to remain out of school for the purpose of working, unless the job is an integral part of the student's instructional program.  

Discipline  

No student will be suspended for unexcused tardiness, lateness, absence, or truancy but the student may be assigned to detention or placed in existing alternative programs.  

Any student who fails to attend any regularly scheduled class and has no excuse for absence should be referred to the appropriate administrator. Disciplinary action should include notification to parents or guardians.  

A student's grade in any course is based on his/her performance in the instructional setting and shall not be reduced for reasons of conduct. If a student violates the attendance or other rules of the school, s/he should be disciplined appropriately for the misconduct, but his/her grades shall be based upon what the student can demonstrate s/he has learned.  

The Superintendent shall develop administrative procedures that:  

1. provide the student and his/her parents the opportunity to challenge the attendance record prior to notification and that such notification complies with applicable Board rules;  

2. require a school session that is in conformity with the rules of the State Board of Education;

    

3. govern the keeping of attendance records in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Education;

    

4. identify the habitual truant, investigate the cause(s) of his/her behavior, and consider modification of his/her educational program to meet particular needs and interests;

    

5. require that students whose absence has been excused have an opportunity to make up work they missed and receive credit for the work, if completed;

    

6. require that a student who, due to a specifically identifiable physical or mental impairment, exceeds or may exceed the District's limit on excused absence, is referred for evaluation for eligibility either under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or other appropriate accommodation.  

Habitual Truancy  

Whenever any student has a total of fifteen (15) unexcused absences from school within ninety (90) calendar days, with or without the knowledge or consent of the parent, s/he will be considered habitually truant. The Board authorizes the Superintendent to inform the student and his/her parents of the record of excessive absences as well as the District's intent to notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, if appropriate. The Superintendent is authorized to file a truancy petition under F.S. 984.151 if a student has accrued at least five (5) unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a calendar month or ten (10) unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown within a ninety (90) calendar day period or has had more than fifteen (15) unexcused absences in a ninety (90) calendar day period.
Effective 7/1/12

Revised 5/17/16

Revised 11/19/24

Attendance Policies & Procedures
Policy 5200

Martin County High School will provide a safe and friendly environment which is conducive to student learning.  In accordance with Florida law and school board rules, the school is designed to operate toward high levels of student achievement, which can only be realized when each student is in school , on time and participating in every class, every day. It is the responsibility of every parent and student to uphold and abide by the attendance policies.

 Occasionally, it may be necessary for a student to be absent. When the student is absent, the parent should call, e-mail, or write a note to the Attendance Office on the day of the absence.

Parents will receive a recorded message to notify them of their student’s absence. The absence must be explained in writing within ten (10) days of the students return to school. Failure to provide such certification by the tenth day will result in the absence being “unexcused”.  If you do not call, email or write within 10 days of the absence, your child's appeal may be denied.

Acceptable reasons for an excused absence are as follows:

• Illness of the student (A doctor’s statement may be required to excuse more than 3 consecutive absences).

• An accident resulting in bodily injury to the student.

• A death in the immediate family of the student.

• An observance of an established religious holiday in line with the recorded specific faith of the student.

• A subpoena by a law enforcement agency or a court appearance.

• Principal-approved participation in academic, vocational or non-vocational activities.

• Insurmountable conditions as defined by regulations of the state board and determined by the principal. As otherwise determined by the principal in accordance with state laws and School Board rules.

Mitigated Absences

For absences other than those deemed acceptable/excusable a mitigated absence form must be completed and submitted for administrative review/approval.

 If a student has excessive absences, a referral may be made to the Student Services Office/Social Worker, and the Division of Motor Vehicles.  They will contact the parents, either in person or in writing, making the parents aware of the statutory requirements concerning absences.   If a student has fifteen unreported absences, in any ninety day period, the student may lose their driver’s license.

Activity Attendance Guidelines

Students must be present at school a minimum of 90% of the school days.  If, at any time, a student exceeds the established 10% absentee rate (unexcused), he or she may immediately become ineligible to participate in all athletics and extra-curricular school activities including, but not limited to, all games, practices, rehearsals, performances, meetings, field trips, dances, socials, ceremonies, and banquets.  The participation restriction will continue until the student re-attains a 90% attendance rate.  All attendance will be reviewed and calculated every 20 days.  Participation privileges can be restored on the day the student is in compliance.  Excused absences will be reviewed by the Assistant Principal over Discipline and/or the Attendance Committee.  Students parking on campus who accumulate 10 or more unexcused absences may get their parking privileges revoked.

Attendance Policy for Athletes

Athletes are expected to be in attendance at school in order to participate in an athletic activity that day.  The school policy emphasized that the athlete MUST attend at least one-half of the school day in order to participate in an athletic event.  Exceptions to this rule must be cleared PRIOR to the absence with the principal.  All athletes should be made aware of this policy on the first day of practice. 

College Visits

Students are allowed two college visits per half credit course (semester).  Any college visits beyond two per semester will not be excused.  Students must submit official documentation from the university to the Attendance Office, upon return to school.

Tardy Policy
Policy 5230

Tardy to Class

Students who are tardy to class will receive an After School Detention every time they are tardy. Being on time to class is defined as being in class and ready to begin work when the tardy bell rings.  Consequences for being tardy to class are:

• Any Tardy: After School Detention (ASD) 1 hour

• Excessive Tardiness: Extended detention – 2 hours, Parent Conference and/or driving privileges may be suspended or revoked.

Tardy to School

Students tardy to school must report to the Attendance office.  MCHS allows each student three (3) excused tardies per semester or 18 week grading period to the student’s first class of the day. An excused tardy must be a Physician’s note, a court subpoena, or a signed parent note. Any tardies beyond the 3rd  excused tardy will earn a discipline consequence as listed above. 

Skipping Policies

Students who are truant from school or skip class will be subject to disciplinary consequences that may include but are not limited to: extended 2 hour detention or parking privileges being suspended or revoked. 

Early Dismissal

When a student needs to leave campus earlier than the scheduled end of the school day, the student should bring a note to the Attendance Office, prior to class starting at 8:20 am.  All notes must have a valid telephone number to verify the request, the time the student is leaving and who is picking the student up. In the event the Parent/Guardian cannot be contacted, a pass will not be issued. The student will be given a pass to leave class at the designated time . Leaving school grounds without a pass will result in a referral to the Dean’s Office. 

Only students with a medical (dental) excuse or court appointment are permitted to leave school and return.  Documentation is required upon return.

Students are not allowed to leave school for lunch.