- Sarasota County Schools
- Section 2 – Attendance Activities
- 201.0 -- Excused Absences Rights and Responsibilities
Student Handbook and Family Handbook
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201.0 -- EXCUSED ABSENCES RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Students will be afforded the opportunity to make up work for an excused absence, as outlined in the school district student progression plan and in district attendance procedures.
- Students have the responsibility to turn in work on time that was assigned while on field trips or school-sponsored activities unless they have made prior arrangements with the teacher.
201.1 — Unexcused Absences
- A student who has 15 unexcused absences within 90 calendar days is a habitual truant under state law. The student may be dealt with as a child in need of services under §984, F.S. In addition, the parent/guardian may be subject to criminal prosecution under §1003.24, F.S.
- Students will be afforded an opportunity to make up work for an unexcused absence. There may be some academic penalty in accordance with attendance policies and procedures.
- When students are late to school or leave school early without an adequate excuse, the tardy or early dismissal will be unexcused.
201.2 — Family Vacations
- Family vacations are not automatically excused absences and are at the discretion of the principal or designee. Parents are encouraged to contact the school prior to family vacations.
201.3 — Arrival and Departure
- Tardiness is disruptive to the learning environment and has a negative impact on student achievement. Tardiness and early departures without a reasonable excuse will be documented in the attendance record.
- For student safety, parents should ensure that their children do not arrive at school until appropriate supervision is available on campus.
- Unless involved in a supervised activity, students must leave school grounds immediately upon dismissal.
- Check with the school office to see if before-school or after-school child care is available.
- Parent/Guardian with whom the student resides must inform the school in writing if an early dismissal is to occur.
201.4 - Driver’s License Law
Students ages 14 to 18 who drop out of school prior to graduation or who have 15 unexcused absences in a 90-day period will be reported to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Monitoring of attendance for driving privileges is done during class periods. Students who hold a Florida driver’s license may have their license suspended if they accumulate excessive periods of unexcused absence. Students who have not yet received their driver’s license may be unable to obtain a license. Application for reinstatement of the driving privilege can be made after the student has attended school for 30 days with no unexcused absences. There is a hardship appeal process; parents/guardians should check with school administration for information regarding appeals.