What is good attendance? 

Missing school one-day or less each month or no more than nine days a year.

In brief, Virginia law:

* requires parents to send children to school

* requires students to attend school

* requires schools to take specific actions when children are not enrolled or students fail to attend

* authorizes law enforcement officers to pick up students who are skipping school

* authorizes juvenile courts to take action against parents and/or children for failure to attend school

Screen for Illness Every Day, Stay Home When Sick

One of the most important prevention strategies guidelines is screening students daily for any signs of illness prior to leaving home for school. Any student who is ill or presents with COVID-like symptoms is to remain at home. Evaluating COVID symptoms or exposure can be found on our Health and Related Services page. This document provides the details of the policies and protocols related to COVID-19, and it is continually updated to align with public health guidance as it evolves during the school year.

Parents can verify their student’s absences by using one of the following methods:

• Online Attendance Form

CLICK HERE

• Written or Doctors note: 

All notes require a parent/guardian signature and should be turned in to the attendance assistant located in the main office. 

•  You may reach the attendance line by dialing:

(571) 377-7034

• Email: (must include parents contact information)

ohsattendance@mcpsva.org

(1) Attendance

Students are required to attend school until the age of 18, unless released through application of procedures in the Virginia Code or School Board Policy. While enrolled in school, students may not "skip" school or classes or leave school without permission. Students are to be on time for school and classes.

Students are required to attend all classes as scheduled each day. Students who choose not to attend school on a regular basis will be considered truant. This is a violation of Virginia law. If the student is under 18 years of age, the attendance officer may file a complaint with the juvenile and domestic relations court alleging the student is a child in need of supervision and/or initiate legal proceedings against the parent/guardian. All absences will be classified as unexcused until written documentation is provided.

After 15 consecutive days of absence without approved home-bound or home-based Instruction, a student will be withdrawn from school, must be re-enrolled by a parent/guardian, and a referral may be made to the juvenile and domestic relations court.

The School Board recognizes the right of students to be released from class to participate in religious activities and observances in accordance with School Board Policy. Absence from school for religious observances that are verified by the parent/guardian will be excused.

Building administrators have the authority to assign consequences other than in-school and out-of-school suspension to students for violations of this section of the Student Code of Conduct. In no case may sufficient cause for suspension include only instances of truancy.

School Board Policy JED-M, JEA, JEA-R, JHCCA-E