What are the rules and procedures?
Why does attendance matter? Consistent attendance in school plays a vital role in every student’s academic success and contribution to our community. We want all students at school as much as possible!
What is considered tardy? Students need to be in their seats and ready for the day by the start of advisory – 8:00 am! If your child misses 20% (two hours) of the school day, that will count as an absence.
What about tardies between classes? Students are expected to travel from one class to another within the five-minute passing period. This is enough time for the vast majority of students! Teachers, administrators, and our School Culture Specialists are in the hallways during passing periods to make sure students move along to their next class. If a student shows a pattern of tardiness, we will first seek the conversation to learn why and help them arrive on time. Persistent tardiness may result in disciplinary action eventually. We think on-time arrival is important for learning!
What do I do if my child has an appointment during the school day? When possible, please schedule appointments so that your child misses a minimum of class time. That said, we know appointments happen! You do not need to send a separate note in these cases. Here’s what to do:
- Late arrival – Please walk in with your child through the main entrance and sign them in at the office. Provide the reason for their late arrival (e.g., doctor’s appointment) on the sign-in sheet.
- Early departure – Please come in person to the office to sign out your child, providing the reason on the sign out sheet. We will call their classroom or send a team member to bring them to the front. We encourage you to make a plan with your child for these circumstances, so they are prepared to leave early.
What do I do if my child is absent? If your child is absent, please let us know by sending an email (we do not accept hand-written notes) within three days. Please include a brief explanation of the reason for the absence.
- Campus de la calle 2: attendance@latinpcs.org or 202.223.1111
- Campus Cooper: ajcattendence@latinpcs.org or 202.
Please send the email right away! If you do not, you will receive an email or phone call from the school notifying you of your child’s absence. Be sure to reply within the three-day period to excuse the absence!
Which absences are excused and unexcused? Not all absences are the same. Some can be excused with a parent/guardian email, and some require a doctor’s note. Others are NOT excusable, even with a note.
- Excusable absences (with an email from parent/guardian)
- Student illness (doctor’s note required after 4 days absent)
- Medical appointments (please bring a doctor’s note)
- Serious illness or death in the immediate family
- Observance of a religious holiday (please notify us in advance)
- Student visits with a parent/guardian who is in the military immediately before, during, or after the deployment (please notify us in advance)
- College visits (please notify us in advance)
- Legal proceedings involving the student (please notify us in advance)
- Unexcused absences
- Babysitting or other family obligations
- Job obligations
- Oversleeping
- Traffic
What is “too many” absences or tardies? Chronic absenteeism is the term for a student missing more than 15 days in a school year (both excused and unexcused absences). Note that when a student misses 20% or more of a school day, it is counted as an absence, so we also watch for students who are chronically tardy. Serious cases are required to be reported to city officials. See the full policies on our website for details.
