According to Florida Statute, parents are responsible for the attendance of their children within the compulsory attendance age (6-16). Regular attendance is an essential component of student learning and achievement as it provides students the opportunity to master required skills at each grade level. Many integral activities, including group discussions and experiences, field trips, and direct instruction cannot be simulated or replicated with written work. Therefore, with the goal of promoting student success, Seminole County Public Schools has adopted a uniform attendance policy. It is our intent to encourage honest, accurate, and consistent adherence to this policy by all students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
Tardies
Students arriving after 8:35 will be marked tardy and will need to report to the office for a tardy slip before entering class. Student with excessive tardiness will be referred to the school counselor and the parent will be required to attend a school-based Intervention Meeting.
Excused Absences
Regular school attendance is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. The principal has the legal authority to determine if an absence is excused. An excused absence is defined as doctor/dental appointments, illness, death of a family member, a family emergency (approved by the principal), and religious instruction or religious holidays. Upon returning to school, the parent/guardian MUST provide a written note explaining the reason for their child's absence. Without a note, the absence will be considered unexcused. Illnesses that extend beyond 10 days in a 90-day period must be verified by a physician. This verification must be provided within 3 days of the student's return, or referral to the School Board nurse will be required.
Unexcused Absences
A student is considered unexcused if they are absent for any reason other than those mentioned above. After 5 unexcused absences, or a pattern of absences in a 30-day period without parental/guardian notification to the school, the principal or designee will contact the parent to discuss the unexcused absences. If a student accumulates 10 or more unexcused absences in a 90-day period, he/she will be referred to the school counselor and the parent will be required to attend a school based Intervention Meeting. If a student accumulates 15 or more unexcused absences in a 90-day period, the school social worker will be notified. Students who stay home from school to babysit younger family members or to work within or outside the home are not excused. Parents are in violation of the law if students are kept out of school for any reasons other than excused absences.