If your student will be ABSENT or TARDY, please contact the MHS Attendance Office by phone or email.
Phone: (703) 248-5501 | Email: Administrative Assistant for Attendance | School Board Policy
Regular attendance plays an important role in your child's educational journey. Consistent attendance is not just about being present; it's a cornerstone of academic growth, socio-emotional development, and overall educational success. At FCCPS, we value our partnership with you in supporting our students. To strengthen this collaboration, we want to ensure you have access to our current attendance policies and practices, as well as introduce you to our dedicated attendance team. Please review the division-wide policies and school-specific practices outlined below. Together, we can create an environment where every student thrives through regular attendance.
At Meridian High School, the school day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Students are expected to be in their classrooms by 8:30 a.m. when classes begin.
For arrivals or departures during school hours: students must sign in or out at the front office using their FCCPS Student ID. Parent/guardian does not need to enter school to sign student in or out. Prior approval is required.
To ensure that tardy arrivals or absences are considered excused, parents/guardians should communicate directly with the school regarding their student's attendance. For a comprehensive list of valid excuses, please refer to FCCPS Policy JED.
Parents/legal guardians are the only ones authorized to report attendance issues. If your student will be absent, tardy, or needs to leave school before the school day ends, send an email to attendancemhs@fccps.org or leave a voicemail message on the Attendance 24/7 line, 703-248-5501.
Please include:
Student legal name
Grade level
Date and time of absence, late arrival or early dismissal
Parent/guardian name and phone number
Reason for absence. Please be specific about the reason why your child will not be attending school that day. If sick, please indicate what symptoms your child has and if they have seen a medical professional
Our attendance office is here to assist you. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.
Ms. Carmen Calderon is often the first face that our students see when they arrive. Ms. Calderon is responsible for keeping accurate attendance data, answering any attendance related inquiries, and providing a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors to the front office. Please reach out to Ms. Calderon with any questions!
Ms. Carmen Calderon 703-248-5501 attendancemhs@fccps.org
Note that Ms. Calderon is available to communicate in English and Spanish.
Common Attendance Scenarios
Attendance Update | How to Proceed | Information that needs to be communicated | Important to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
My child will be late for school. | Call / email the school BEFORE start of school (or as early as possible). | Please provide your student’s FULL name (as listed in PowerSchool) and a VALID excuse for the tardy. | Without prior notice, students will be marked “Tardy Unexcused” (TUN). Multiple infractions can result in school discipline |
My child won’t be attending school. | Call / email the school BEFORE start of school (or as early as possible). | Please provide your student’s FULL name (as listed in PowerSchool) and a VALID excuse for the absence. | The school will ask for a doctor’s note on the 3rd consecutive day. Without prior notice, students will be marked “Absent: Unexcused” (UNX). Multiple infractions will result in school discipline. |
My child needs to leave school early. | Call / email the school BEFORE start of school (or as early as possible). | Please provide your student’s FULL name (as listed in PowerSchool) and a VALID excuse for the absence. Please indicate the TIME your student needs to leave. | Without prior notice, students will not be permitted to leave school. No student may leave without explicit permission from a parent/guardian. Parents do not need to come into the school to sign out their student. |
Common Attendance Questions
Can my student leave for lunch or study block?
No. Only Seniors who have earned “Senior Privileges” are permitted to leave for lunch. These students will be issued special badges once these privileges are earned. FCCPS Policy 9.11P and FCCPS Regulation 9.11R
What if my student oversleeps?
Under FCCPS policy, oversleeping does not qualify as an excused absence. Students will be marked “Tardy Unexcused” (TUN) or “Absent Unexcused” (UNX). Please review the list of valid excuses for student absences can be found in FCCPS Policy JED.
Excused Absence or Tardy Arrival
Absences and tardy arrivals for the following reasons will be excused:
Death in the family
Illness or Injury (including mental health and substance abuse illness) verified by a doctor therapist, clinician, psychiatrist, counselor, psychologist, social worker, or parent/guardian
Legal obligations
Medical procedures
Suspensions
Expulsions
Religious observances
Military obligation
Extreme family emergencies
Doctor/Dentist appointment
College visit
Approved prearranged absences consistent with the regulations issued by the Superintendent
Unexcused Absence or Tardy Arrival
All other absences for reasons not on the excused list are unexcused. The following reasons are examples for unexcused absences:
Unapproved trips
Childcare situations
Non-school related activities
Shopping
Oversleeping
Missing the bus
Working
Transportations problems
Absences of three or more school days require a written request from the parent/legal guardian turned in at least three days prior to the first day of the absence, and approval by the Principal. The Extended Absence form is available in the Main Office or may be printed out from here.
Upon obtaining this Extended Absence Form, the student must read it in its entirety then fill out the top portion and the shaded areas.
After completing the student portion, the student discusses with each teacher the assignments the student will miss, and the teacher fills out the teacher portion (unshaded).
The student acquires pertinent signatures including from her/his/their parent/guardian and counselor.
At least 3 days before departure, the student returns this completed form along with the written note from the parent/guardian explaining the extended absence to the principal’s office for final approval.
The student receives a copy of the form.
