attendance
Regular school attendance is important and essential for students to be successful at City College. Students are expected to be present every day when school is in session. If students are absent for an entire school day, or more, they must bring legal documentation for the absence no later than 48 hours after returning to school for the absence to be considered lawful. The note must be turned into the first period teacher and have the following information:- student’s name
- the date(s) of absence
- the specific reason for the absence
- parent’s/guardian’s signature
- parent’s/guardian’s daytime telephone number
Maryland State Law (Section 7-301 of the Education Article) sets the criteria for a valid excuse from daily attendance:
- Death in the immediate family
- Illness of the student
- Court summons
- Observance of religious holiday
- State of emergency
- Hazardous weather conditions
- Approved work or other activity sponsored by the school
- Suspension or disciplinary removal
- Lack of authorized transportation
- Other emergency or set of circumstances as determined by the Superintendent or Principal
Students will have up to 48 hours after returning to school to submit documentation to their teacher(s) and/or attendance office for the absence(s) or lateness(es). Interviews and family vacations are examples of unexcused absences and should be scheduled during non-school hours. Students are responsible for promptly making up all work missed during any absence.
Punctuality is also important for student success here at City College. Failure to register in the attendance office when arriving after first period will result in disciplinary action. A student with a legitimate reason for being late should arrive with a note containing all the necessary data (see preceding section on absentee notes) and the reason for lateness.
When the lateness is a result of a MTA breakdown or accident, students must report both the route number and the bus ID number to the attendance office. Students who arrive to school late three or more times without a legal excuse will have to serve a detention.
Attendance and Eligibility
Because regular attendance in school is a critical component of academic success, co-curricular and extra-curricular eligibility (clubs, sports, proms, class trip and assemblies) will be granted to those students who demonstrate a commitment to being in school on time and on a regular basis. Students who are absent five or more days during a semester will be immediately declared ineligible for participation in extra-curricular activities until the next semester.
Students may appeal to Mrs. Halterman if absences are due to a legitimate long-term illness and cases will be reviewed on an individual basis. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the attendance office with all appropriate information regarding the absences immediately after returning to school.
