Policy

In Virginia, all students aged five (5) through eighteen (18) are required to attend school regularly. FCPS must record student attendance every day school is in session.

Students may be absent for identified reasons, such as the following:

1. Illness, including COVID isolation / quarantine
2. Medical procedures that cannot be scheduled outside of school hours
3. Religious and cultural observances
4. Civic engagement (secondary students only)
5. Funerals

Parents should report their student’s absences to the school any day students are unable to attend.  They may report the absences by calling the school attendance line or emailing the school-designated attendance address.  

When parents do not report student absences, school personnel will call to identify the reason for the student absences.  For unexplained or unverified absences, parents will be reached the same day as the class or full-day absence occurred.  If unverified or unexcused absences accumulate, parents will be notified via the FCPS eNotify message system, requesting that parents contact the school to explain the absences.  After five full days of unexcused absences, an attendance plan, documenting the reasons for absences, and potential supports, will be completed.

Parents can monitor their students’ attendance records by logging into their assigned SIS ParentVUE account.

Future Absences

If parents are aware of a future absence, such as a full day absence for a civic engagement activity (middle or high school) or a cultural observance, they may contact the school to report the absence and related date. Extended absences, typically for hardship reasons, must be documented and submitted to the school principal at least three to five school days in advance for review and action.

 Elementary Prearranged Absence Form Secondary Prearranged Absence Form