Source: https://www.pcsb.org/Attendance
Timestamp: 2020-07-04 01:59:56
Document Index: 498164269

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1003', '§1003', '§1003', '§1002', '§1002', '§1003', '§ 1003', '§984', '§1003']

Code of Conduct / III. Attendance
Student Attendance (Policy 5500.05)
(Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Dual Enrollment)
Philosophical Basis and Purpose:
The classroom experience is of unique value and cannot be duplicated by make-up work. The purpose of this attendance policy is to foster responsibility and reliability on the part of District students to attend all classes. Students will acknowledge greater emphasis on attendance at school because credit in their classes will be contingent upon their presence.
I. COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
All children who have attained the age of six years or who will have attained the age of six years by February 1 of any school year, or who are older than six years of age but who have not yet attained the age of 16 years, except as hereinafter provided, are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term. (F.S. §1003.21) (1) (a))
A student who attains the age of 16 years during the school year is not subject to compulsory school attendance and may withdraw from school only if the student files a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment with the School Board. The declaration must acknowledge that terminating school enrollment is likely to reduce the student’s earning potential and must be signed by the child and parent. A student who attains the age of 18 years during the school year is not subject to the legal sanctions for compulsory school attendance. (F.S. §1003.21 (2) (c)) An exit interview must be conducted by school personnel to determine the reasons for the student’s decision to terminate school enrollment and actions taken to keep the student in school. (F.S. §1003.21(2) (c))
Students under 16 years of age may not be withdrawn from school for any reason unless expelled through Board action or covered by an exemption allowed by Florida Statute. (F.S. §1002.20 (2)(b))
Compulsory school attendance requirements may be met by attendance in a home education program. A “home education program” means the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent in order to satisfy the attendance requirements of Florida law. (F.S. §1002.01(1))
For students enrolled in Department of Juvenile Justice Programs, the compulsory school attendance requirement is governed by state law and regulations and includes a longer term. (F.S. §§1003.01(11), 1003.52)
II. ABSENCES
Students without a completed Certificate of Immunization indicating compliance with the current required schedule of immunizations will not be allowed to attend classes until this document is provided or a waiver is obtained. Absences due to non-compliance with immunization requirements shall be considered unexcused. However, students transferring into Pinellas County, including foster care students, or homeless students, a temporary 30-day waiver of both health examination documents and certificates of immunization will be granted. (F.S. 1003.22(1) (5) (e))
III. TARDIES
1. EXCUSED TARDY
1. UNEXCUSED TARDY
Habitual tardiness is unacceptable and unfair to other students because instruction is interrupted every time a late student arrives. Individual schools may develop school-based consequences for tardy students.
IV. EARLY SIGN OUT
1. EXCUSED EARLY SIGN OUT
1. AN UNEXCUSED EARLY SIGN OUT INCLUDES:
The same criteria used to determine an unexcused absence and an unexcused tardy will be used to determine whether an early sign out is unexcused.
Numerous incidents of early release are unacceptable and unfair to the other students whose instruction is interrupted each time a student leaves early.
V. REASONS WHY AN ABSENCE, A TARDY OR AN EARLY SIGN OUT WILL BE EXCUSED
There is a major illness in the student’s immediate family (this means parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, or others living in the home).
Students having, or suspected of having, a communicable disease or infestation which can be transmitted are to be excluded from school and are not allowed to return to school until they no longer present a health hazard (F.S. 1003.22). Examples of communicable diseases and infestations include, but are not limited to, fleas, head lice, ringworm, impetigo and scabies. Students are allowed a maximum of three (3) excused days for each infestation of head lice unless extended by principal. Students on field trips and students who attend alternative to suspension programs are not considered absent.
VI. MAKE-UP WORK FOR ABSENCES (EXCUSED, UNEXCUSED OR SUSPENSION).
(This does not apply to specific homework provided under F.S. § 1003.01 to certain suspended students.)
Make-up work for full credit and without a grade penalty is allowed for all absences. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the missed work. The number of days allowed to make up the work shall be equal to the number of days the student was absent. In cases where the grading period ends before make-up work can be completed due to absences, an “I” may be recorded for the grading period grade. The “I” can be converted to a letter grade once the number of make-up days allowable in policy have been granted for the completion of make-up work.
VII. RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO ATTEND SCHOOL
Ensure the attendance of a child of compulsory school attendance age, as required by law. (F.S. 1003.24)
If requested, provide documentation of illness from a physician or public health unit within 48 hours. The maximum number of days that a student may be absent without acceptable documentation justifying the absence is five (5).
Notify the school of any change of address, phone numbers and emergency contact numbers.
Obtain application from currently assigned school if a student is eligible for homebound instruction.
VIII. RESPONSIBILITY OF SCHOOL DISTRICT REGARDING STUDENT ATTENDANCE
1. PATTERNS OF NON-ATTENDANCE
Each principal must make the necessary provisions to ensure that all school attendance reports are accurate and timely and must provide the necessary training opportunities for staff to accurately report attendance (F.S.1003.23 (1)). Principals are required to maintain an attendance record which shows the absence or attendance of each child enrolled for each school day of the year. (F.S.1003.23 (2))
A letter shall be sent to the parent or guardian and a referral will be made to the school’s Child Study Team for a student who has had at least five unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a calendar month, or 10 unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a 90 calendar day period.
If the parent or guardian of a child who has been identified as exhibiting a pattern of non-attendance enrolls the child in a home education program, the Superintendent shall refer the parent to a home education review committee composed of the district contact person for home education and at least two home educators selected by the parent from a district list of all home educators who have conducted a home education program for at least three years and have indicated a willingness to serve on the committee.
If a child subject to compulsory school attendance will not comply with attempts to enforce school attendance, the Superintendent may file a truancy petition pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section §984.12, Florida Statutes. The superintendent may also refer the case to the case staffing committee which may file a child-in-need-of-services petition. The superintendent may also take such steps as are necessary to bring criminal prosecution against the parent. (F.S. §1003.26)
Students 14-18 years of age who have 15 unexcused absences within 90 calendar days and have a driver’s license will have their driver’s license suspended by the Division of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or will not be issued a license if they apply for one.