A ATTENDANCE & ABSENCES We want your child with us at Pinehurst every day! According to Maryland law (COMAR), it is a parent's responsibility for their children to attend school. Excessive absences and tardiness from school are detrimental to the educational process. Student attendance is a family responsibility. A doctor's note or parent note is required for an absence to be excused. If your child is absent due to illness a written parent note that contains the date and reason for absence is required to excuse the absence. Only 5 days of scholar illness may be excused by parent note each school year. Please try to schedule family trips during times when school is not in session. These absences interfere with the students' learning process and hamper the school’s attempt to achieve an "Excellent" rating for attendance. The County guideline for elementary students is as follows: • To be given consideration, a written request for vacation must be submitted at a minimum of 10 days in advance to the Principal/Designee. If approved, the maximum number of lawful days for family vacations and family trips for any school year must not exceed three (3) days. • Such absences may not occur during exams or state-mandated testing periods unless authorized by the Principal/Designee. • Students will only be considered for other lawful absences up to a maximum of three days, as long as the student has no previous unexcused/unlawful absences or exceeded a total of 5 excused/lawful absences in a marking term. • For absences of this type (other lawful/excused absences) in excess of three days per year, or a pattern of continuous lawful/excused absences, the principal will determine whether the absences will be lawful/excused or unlawful/unexcused. While it is recognized that a trip cannot be considered a legal reason to be absent from school, it is felt that under these circumstances, no punitive action should be taken. • The trip must be with the family or sanctioned by parents. • Circumstances and reasons should be fully discussed with the principal in advance. • All arrangements for homework, tests, etc., should be worked out with individual teachers a week in advance. Students are expected to complete all make-up work within a number of days equal to the time out. For extended absences please consult the administration.
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