Attendance Highlights Updated 08/14/24

Regular and punctual attendance is vitally important to a student’s success in school.  The School Board believes that regular attendance is primarily the responsibility of the parent and the student.  

Excused Absence
- Documented illness of the student
- Medical/therapeutic appointment with documentation
- Documented major illness in the immediate family (parent, guardian, sibling, grandparent)
- Death in the immediate family
- Observance of a religious holiday of the specific faith of the student
- Special and unique situations approved by Principal

 All absences are considered unexcused until the school receives written explanation from the parent/guardian within 3 days of the student’s return.  You may:

• Upload the note to the FOCUS portal.

• Email the note to Email 1261-Attendance

• Submit the note using the following forms link

• Or, until Nov. 29th, 2024, you may handwrite a note and have your student deliver it to the Attendance Office.  When sending in an absence excuse note, please include the student’s full name, the date(s) of absence and the reason for the absence.                                                                                        
  PLEASE NOTE:  Signing a student in late or signing out a student for early dismissal does not excuse an absence.

• Excessive excused absences for illness may result in the student being required to provide a doctor’s note or other substantiating medical evidence. Over nine absences for illness per semester or eighteen for illness in a school year is considered excessive.

• Advanced notice of absence for reasons other than illness must be given prior approval from an administrator, and arrangements for completion of work must be made prior to absence.  Students must obtain a Student Passport form from the office and submit the completed form to the Attendance Office at least 3 days in advance of the absence for administrative review.  Please note: a completed Passport does not automatically excuse your student's absence. The principal or their designee will ultimately make the final excused/unexcused decision.

• Students must be present the entire day to participate in an extracurricular activity.

***The FOCUS Portal allows parents/guardians to monitor attendance and set desired notifications/alerts.

For complete attendance information, please review your student’s HCMS planner and go to the district Family Handbook at Sarasota County Schools.

Acceptable Reasons For An Excused Absence

1. Student illness (if documented by parent/guardian or medical doctor). 

2. Observance of a religious holiday/service by members of student's faith. 

3. Doctor's appointment with documentation. 

4. Death or documented major illness in the immediate family. 

5. Subpoena by law enforcement agency or mandatory court appearance.

6. Other absences beyond the control of the parent, as approved by the principal or their designee.

Attendance Policy Key Points & Procedures
Please click on a procedure below and it will expand, giving more detailed information.