Attendance

According to Florida Statute, parents/guardians are responsible for the attendance of their children within the compulsory attendance age (6-16). Regular attendance is an essential component of student learning and achievement as it provides students the opportunity to master required skills at each grade level. Many integral activities, including group discussions and experiences, field trips, and direct instruction cannot be simulated or replicated with written work. Therefore, with the goal of promoting student success, Seminole County Public Schools has adopted a uniform attendance policy. It is our intent to encourage honest, accurate, and consistent adherence to this policy by all students, parents/guardians, teachers, and administrators.

TARDIES

Students arriving after 8:35 will be marked tardy and will need to report to the office for a tardy slip before entering class. Student with excessive tardiness will be referred to the school counselor and the parent/guardian will be required to attend a school-based Intervention Meeting. 

EXCUSED ABSENCES

Dear SCPS Families,

As a district, we are committed to improving student attendance and making it easier for families to share with us if your child needs to miss school. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, absence requests can be submitted through your Skyward Family Access Portal. Medical and doctor’s notes, court documents, or religious instruction will still need to be provided for documentation along with the absence request. If your family does not have internet access, paper notes are still acceptable in this situation.

This will help us keep accurate records and make the process faster and more efficient for everyone. Regular school attendance is crucial for academic achievement, and we want to partner with our families to ensure every student has as much time in class as possible.

To learn how to submit an absence request, please click HERE.

What counts as an “excused” absence?

After you submit the absence request, school staff will review it to ensure it meets the board policy for an excused absence. Here are the most common reasons that may be excused:

· Your child is sick (Illness that lasts longer than 5 consecutive days may require a doctor’s note)

· Doctor or medical appointments

· Required court appearances

· Death in the immediate family

· Religious holidays or instruction

· Approved school activities or events

· Therapy appointments (speech, occupational, ABA, etc.)

· Attendance at a DCF-supervised program

· Significant community events (with principal’s prior approval)

· Other special situations approved by the principal

· Insurmountable conditions, like extreme weather or public health concerns

Each absence request will be reviewed in accordance with School Board Policy 5200.

If you have questions or need help accessing Skyward, please connect with your school directly. We’re here to help!

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s success through regular attendance and open communication.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

A student is considered unexcused if they are absent for any reason other than those mentioned above. After 5 unexcused absences, or a pattern of absences in a 30-day period without parental/guardian notification to the school, the principal or designee will contact the parent to discuss the unexcused absences. If a student accumulates 10 or more unexcused absences in a 90-day period, he/she will be referred to the school counselor and the parent will be required to attend a school-based Intervention Meeting. If a student accumulates 15 or more unexcused absences in a 90-day period, the school social worker will be notified. Students who stay home from school to babysit younger family members or to work within or outside the home are not excused. Parents/Guardians are in violation of the law if students are kept out of school for any reasons other than excused absences.