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Excused Absences
        The following qualify as “excused” absences:

               ▪  Student illness – If a student is continually sick and repeatedly absent from school, he or she must be under
                   the supervision of a physician in order to receive an excuse from attendance.
               ▪  Medical appointment
               ▪  Death in the family
               ▪  Observance of a religious holiday or service that is recognized as such by all members of the faith (P-5.095)
               ▪  Subpoena by a law enforcement agency or mandatory court appearance
               ▪  Extreme weather conditions such as, but not limited to, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, or other acts of God,
                   which make it impractical or inadvisable for the safety of the student to attend school
               ▪  Suspension - Suspension, in-school and out-of-school, is the temporary removal of the student from his or her
                   regular school program or all classes of instruction on public school grounds and all other school-sponsored
                   activities, except as authorized by the Principal or designee, as defined by  F. S.  § 1003.01(5a-b), and provided
                   for in the Student Code of Conduct Policies 5.1812 and 5.1813
               ▪  Students on field trips, which are authorized by the Principal, are not considered absent. The school-related
                   trips should be those that are related to the curriculum.
               ▪  Other individual student absences beyond the control of the parent or student, as determined and approved
                   by the Principal or the Principal’s designee P-5.09(3)(e)(i-ix)

        Unexcused Absences
        An unexcused  absence is any absence that does not fall into one of the above excused absence categories.  P-5.09
        mandates that each school in the District determine if any absence or tardiness is excused or unexcused according to the
        criteria established.

        Students with excessive unexcused/unverified absences will be referred to the School Based Team for interventions to be
        implemented to assist the student and family with improving attendance.  The school may refer the student to the District
        Attendance Review Committee (DARC) if attendance does not improve after interventions and resources are put in place.
        If the student continues to not comply with the District’s attempts to enforce school attendance, the Superintendent or
        designee is authorized to file a truancy petition with the 15  Judicial Circuit of Florida.
                                                             th

        Tardiness
        When a secondary student misses fifty percent (50%) or more of the instructional day or of the identified instructional
        class period due to late arrival or tardiness, the student shall be considered absent.

                 F.S.  § 1006.09(1) (b) provides that: “No student shall be suspended for unexcused tardiness, lateness, absence, or truancy.”










           Students may  not  be exempt  from academic performance requirements based on practices  or policies designed to encourage  student

          attendance. A student’s attendance record may not be used in whole or in part to provide an exemption from any academic performance
           requirements. {F.S. § 1003.33(2)}



        Make-Up Work Grades K-12 – For excused and unexcused absences, including suspensions, the student will be afforded
        the opportunity to make up work without academic penalty.  For in-school suspensions, students will receive assignments
        daily.  For out-of-school suspensions, students will receive assignments in a timely manner.  In accordance with P-5.09,
        high school students are expected to attend school regularly and be on time for classes.

        FY24 Student and Family Handbook                                                                                                                                            8 | Page
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