Attendance
Research shows that school attendance and student achievement are directly related. Being present at school is very important to the overall learning experience. Extended time away from the classroom can have a significant impact on both student performance and school goals.
School Attendance Policies
Families should report student absences by calling the Student Sick Line, or emailing the Attendance Clerk.
Student Sick Line: 386-437-7537
Attendance Clerk Email: besattendance@flaglerschools.com
Tardies/Early Dismissal
Three unexcused tardies or three unexcused early dismissals count as an unexcused absence for attendance monitoring. In order for any tardy or early dismissal to be excused, a note from the doctor or dentist must be brought to the school.
Assistance
If you need assistance in getting a student aged 10–17 to school, Children in Need of Services (CINS) can provide intervention and assistance for the situation. Parents/guardians can call CINS directly at 1-800-539-4228 or contact the student's guidance counselor who can make a referral for services.
District Attendance Policies
Excused Absences
State law and district attendance policy allow the parent/guardian to write notes to document and excuse up to ten days of student absence for illness or excusable reasons per year; five days in the first term (August–January) and five days in the second term (January–June).
Beyond those ten days, if a student has a serious reason to miss additional days, the school principal can review parent requests to excuse up to five more days per year for a total of 15 days. That is a significant amount of time out of school especially when students have to make up the missed work and keep up with the new work. Students do not receive credit for work made up for unexcused absences, which will impact their grades.
Beyond 15 days per year, only doctor/therapist or court notes are accepted to excuse absences. It is very important to document all days of absence with a note, which must be turned in at school even if the reason for absences does not allow the day to be excused. It is important to note that family vacations are not excusable days. Questions about attendance should be directed to the attendance clerk at your child's school.
Unexcused Absences
When students begin to accrue "unexcused absences," the district is required to monitor the student's attendance. Calls are made to the home on the day of absence. Letters are sent home when the students begin to have more unexcused absences.
When the unexcused days total ten in a 90-day period or five in a 30-day period, the school counselor is required to hold a Student Study Team (SST) meeting to talk with the parent/guardian about why the student is missing school and make a plan to reduce the number of unexcused absences. Remember, students can easily fall behind in learning when they miss days of school.
If the unexcused absences do not stop, the district is required to refer the student's family for additional services. Failure to have a child attend school is a legal violation. In severe cases, the parent/guardian may be required to go to court to explain the situation to a judge and can be placed on probation. No one wants this to happen, so it is very important that the home and school work together toward student achievement and success.
Attendance Makes a Difference
Good Attendance: 9 or Fewer Absences
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Students with good attendance generally achieve higher grades and enjoy school more.
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Students benefit most from their educational opportunities if they attend school regularly and on time.
Warning: 10–17 Absences
- Students absent an average of 15 days per year will miss a year's worth of school before their senior year.
- When students miss a day of school, it actually puts them two days behind their classmates.
Chronic Absenteeism: 18 or More Absences
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Excused and unexcused absences represent lost time in the classroom and lost opportunities to learn.
- Missing just one day every two weeks adds up to 18 days in a year.