Attendance Policy

How to Report Student Absences

If you would like to report your child’s absence, please email nottingham.attendance@apsva.us — Provide your child’s name, teacher, and reason for the absence. You can also call our attendance hotline at: 703-228-5292. It is very important that parent guardians email or call our attendance hotline before 11:00 AM to report an absence. If you do not call before 11 AM, our attendance system will call you stating that your child has an unverified absence.

According the the Arlington Public Schools PIP J-5.1.30 Attendance

Excused Absences

The following will be considered excused absences:

• Illness, quarantine of student, doctor or dentist appointment
• Death in the family
• Observance of a religious holiday
• Summons to a court of law
• Violent storms or state emergencies
• Suspensions
• Severe family emergency
• All others approved in advance by principal (or designee)

All other absences are unexcused absences, including absences for valid reasons when the verified contact documentation or written note from the parent/guardian is not filed within two days following the student’s return to school.

Penalties for Excessive Unexcused Absences

At all levels, students forfeit daily class grades for all unexcused absences. At the elementary level, any sign of an emerging pattern of unexcused absences must be dealt with swiftly.  The parent/guardian shall be advised after the first unexcused absence.  After the second unexcused absence, a letter from the principal explaining the attendance policy shall be sent to the parent (APS Attendance Policy Letter).  In the event of a third unexcused absence, the principal (or designee) shall contact the parent (phone or in person) to determine whether there is a need for other school or community resources to address needs related to nonattendance, and to create an attendance improvement plan.  As a follow up, the APS 5-day Attendance Plan Follow-up letter shall be mailed.  If there is a sixth unexcused absence the principal (or designee), shall schedule within ten (10) days, and hold within fifteen (15) days, a face-to-face conference with the parent to review the attendance improvement plan.  The APS 6-day Unexcused absence meeting letter shall be mailed.  A counselor, social worker or other appropriate staff shall participate.  Educational and legal consequences for nonattendance should be reviewed by the parent.  If there is a seventh excused absence, the principal (or designee) shall consider legal action on behalf of the student.