Reporting Absences

If your child(ren) will be absent, please notify the office by 9:15 a.m. using one of the following methods:

• ParentVUE (beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, parents/legal guardians can submit full-day absences using ParentVUE. Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVUE);
• by calling the attendance line at 703-426-3737
• by emailing [email protected].

When reporting a student's absence, please be specific about why your student will not attend school today.  

• If reporting an ill student, include symptoms, especially if they have a fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and/or cough. If your student has a diagnosis from a healthcare provider, please include that information.

Please note: If a child will be late to school, please email or call the attendance line. ParentVue is currently not available for reporting late arrivals.

The school is required to account for all absences; therefore, school personnel will call to check absentees not accounted for in advance.  Since this is a time-consuming process, your call is greatly appreciated. This procedure does not relieve the parent of the need to write a note supporting the absence. Virginia State Law and the Fairfax County School Board Policy require that a written note of explanation from the parent or guardian be presented to the classroom teacher when the student returns to school.

Early Dismissals

Parents are asked to notify the school of early releases or dismissal changes through the PickUp Patrol (PUP) app. 

Attendance Guidelines

FCPS believes and research has shown that students who regularly attend school have the most academic success. Parents and school staff members can work together to encourage students to participate fully in the school program—by being present, arriving on time, and being connected, committed and engaged in the learning process.

Absence or tardiness for the following reasons are considered excused:

• Illness of the student
• Death in the family or family emergency
• Medical appointment
• Observance of a religious holiday

Absence or tardiness for the following reasons are considered unexcused:

• Family trip
• Child care problems
• Oversleeping
• Non-school related activities
• Traffic
• Missing the bus

Additional Information

We encourage family trips during scheduled school vacations and strongly discourage taking such trips during the school year because these extended absences interrupt the continuity of learning. 

According to FCPS policy, we must withdraw any student from enrollment who is absent from school for 15 consecutive days or more. Upon the student’s return, a parent must again officially enroll him or her.