Attendance

Children between the ages of 5 and 18 must attend a public school regularly during the entire school year unless otherwise enrolled in a private school or registered in a home instruction (home schooling) program.

Parent/Guardian is Responsible:
Each person who has in their custody a child between the ages of 5 and 18 must ensure that the child attends school or receives regular thorough instruction, as required above.

Daily School Attendance is a WCPS Expectation

• A WCPS student misses valuable instruction anytime he/she is absent.  Every day is important!

• Every child is expected to attend school daily, unless he/she is ill or has another exceptional circumstance.

• All absences after 12 days require official documentation  (ie., medical note, legal documentation).

• Parent must provide a written note explaining the circumstances for all absences.

Attendance Interventions

• Telephone notification to parent/guardian

• Written notification to parent/guardian

• Parent and/or student invited to attend Student Support (SST) meeting

• Visits to student's home by school officials

Possible Consequences

• Loss of credit or retention
• Referral to appropriate agencies (Department of Social Services and/or Juvenile Services/Diversion Program)
• Legal action

Charges may be filed in District Court of Maryland by Washington County Public Schools.

Unlawful absences may lead to a parent or guardian being found guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine not to exceed $50.00 per day or imprisonment not to exceed 10 days or both (MD EDUC Law, Sect.  VII-301).