Parent Responsibilities
Parents are responsible for the attendance of their children within the compulsory attendance age. (Florida Statute 1003.24) Students between the ages of 6 and 16, are required to attend school. Students who reach the age of 16 before graduation are still required to attend school unless a formal declaration of intent to withdraw is filed with the school. This declaration must be signed bythe student and the parent. (Florida Statutes §1003.21)

The Superintendent may file a truancy petition or child-in-need-ofservices petition for students who have fifteen (15) or more unexcused absences in a period of 90 calendar days. (Florida Statutes §1003.27)

Student Responsibilities

• To attend school and classes daily and be on time.
• To provide the school with an adequate explanation of absences.
• To request and complete makeup assignments as required by the school.
• To complete assigned work with honesty and integrity.

Student Rights

• To be informed of School Board policies and individual school rules about absences and tardies.
• To appeal a decision pertaining to an absence.
• To make up work and tests missed due to excused absences within the time required by the school.
• To make up nine (9) weeks and semester exams when there is an unexcused absence, in accordance with Board Policy 5200, Attendance.

Excused Absences
Students must be in school unless the absence has been excused for one of the reasons listed below. It is the responsibility of each student’s parent/guardian to explain the student’s absence to the school in a way acceptable to the principal.

Reasons For Excused Absences:

• Sickness, injury, death in the family, or some other insurmountable condition (up to six (6) absences for illness per semester with parental note).
• Documented appointments with health care professionals.
• Documented absence for religious instruction or religious holiday.
• Participation in an academic class or school-sponsored activity approved by the principal.
• Court appearances (copy of subpoena required).

For kindergarten through eighth grade only, absences due to other individual circumstances may be excused by the principal. All other absences are considered unexcused. High school students who have excessive absences will be required to demonstrate mastery of the student performance standards in order to receive credit. Please check with your high school for specific information.