Attendance Information
Absences
If your child was marked absent for a Single Class and you believe this was done in error, please contact the teacher FIRST.
You do NOT need to call the school to notify us of an absence.
Please make sure the correct date(s) is labeled on the notes. Incorrect or missing dates on notes will not be entered.
To request an excused absence, please submit either the doctors note or written excuse note within three (3) days of the absence or it will remain unexcused.
Please, do not write on, modify, alter or add dates to a doctors note. Any notes that are altered will not be accepted.
College Tours REQUIRE either a letter from the Admissions Office, a brochure from the college campus or a thank you for your visit letter from the college to excuse.
Attendance Clerk |
Excused Absences
Any child who is absent from school must present a written excuse signed by the parent or guardian immediately upon their return. The note must clearly indicate the reason for the absence and must be presented within three (3) school days from the child's return to school. Please note that a phone call does not excuse your child's absence. An email will be accepted if it is submitted within three (3) days of the absence.
The preferred communication method is to email the school or to provide a note with your child for the reason of the absence. Please email all excused absences to the attendance clerk, Paula Rearick. Parents can log into Focus to view their child's attendance history.
Acceptable Excuses for Absence | Unacceptable Reasons |
|---|---|
Illness, quarantine, or obtaining professional health care or therapy from a licensed practitioner. | Shopping visits |
Family emergency | Care for family members |
Required court appearance | Days out to theme parks or to attend concerts or shows |
Death in family | Parents work commitments or business trips |
Observance of a religious holiday observed by bona fide religious group, upon prior written parental request | Holidays taken in term time (including long weekends taken on Fridays and/or Mondays) |
Parental illness |
School Attendance
Florida Statute 1003.24 states that each parent of a child of compulsory school age shall be responsible for each child's school attendance as required by law. The absence of a student from school is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section. Florida statute 1003.27(7)(1) states that a parent who refuses or fails to have a minor student who is under their control attend school regularly shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable by law.
Truancy
A truant student has:
Five (5) days unexcused absences within a calendar month |
-OR- |
Ten (10) days unexcused absences within 90 calendar days |
If you have extenuating circumstances, experiencing a crisis or need support services, please contact the Attendance Response Team at sswservices@duvalschools.org or 904-390-2090.