• Absence Procedures

    Absent?.... Please call the school at 540-658-6260 ext. 1 or fill out our online form.

    In response to a concern for missing children, the 1985 Virginia General Assembly passed legislation which requires school personnel to make a reasonable effort to contact a parent or guardian on a day a child is absent from school.  A student attendance contact survey form will be sent home with each child – this form indicates where we can contact you if your child is absent. 

    When possible, please send a note to the school or fill out our online form if you know that your child will be absent/tardy.  

     

    Absences – Correction of Errors

    After the report cards for a marking period are issued, the parent has five school days in which to report any attendance errors for that marking period to the school attendance personnel.  After the five day period, all attendance is considered correct for the marking period.  Attendance errors not reported within five (5) days, or after five days from issuance of report cards, will not be corrected and will remain on the student’s permanent record.

     

    Absences – Excuses

    Virginia state law requires that when a student is absent, he/she MUST bring a signed, personally-written letter to the teacher from his/her parent on the day that he/she returns to school.  Please include the child’s first & last name, the date(s) of absence and the reason.  This will allow the child to make up any work missed and informs us that the parents were aware of the absence. Please refer to section 7-15, Student Attendance, in the Stafford County Code of Conduct booklet.

    The State of Virginia has an attendance law requiring parents to see that their children attend school regularly. Stafford County utilizes visiting teachers to visit the home to ascertain reasons for extended absences or absences that occur frequently on a regular day of the week (i.e., every Monday, every Thursday, etc.).  If you know that your child will be absent for more than five consecutive days, please notify the school office by phone or letter.  (A note should also accompany a student who is tardy to school.)  Excessive absences and tardiness will significantly interfere with your child’s academic and social development.  A student must have a doctor’s note to return to school after missing 5 consecutive days due to illness.