Research is clear that showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic and social success, starting from pre-kindergarten and continuing through high school. 

• Missing 10% (or about 18 days of a school year or 2 a month) can drastically affect a student’s academic success at each grade level.
• By the 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that can indicate if a student is at risk for dropping out of high school.
• In the 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

Please help us support a culture of showing up to school every day and review Policy 9010: https://policy.hcpss.org/9000/9010/

If your student is absent or will be absent, please contact us at the following email address to explain the reason: sfesabsence@hcpss.org In the email please include the following information:

• Student First and Last Name
• Grade 
• Reason for absence (e.g., illness, bereavement, observance of a religious holiday, lack of transportation)

In support of achieving Exemplary Attendance for all students, we are sharing with you a comprehensive approach for attendance supports and interventions.

• If a student has missed 10% of their monthly attendance days, parents will receive a 10% Chronic Absenteeism Attendance Letter.  Parents and students may be scheduled for an attendance conference.  Other interventions and supports may also be used in an effort to assist the student.
• If a student has missed 15% of their monthly attendance days, in addition to the interventions and supports at 5% and 10%, these students may require an attendance support plan. Students may also be referred to the Central Attendance Team.
• If a student has missed 20% of their monthly attendance days, parents will receive a 20% Emergency Chronic Absenteeism Letter or Habitual Truancy Letter.  Students may be referred to Project Attend and may be referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office for habitual truancy.​​​​​​​

Discretionary Days - HCPSS students are granted 3 days a year to use at their discretion for scheduled interviews with prospective employers, visits to post-secondary institutions, family trips, civic engagement, and other special events.

Such absences may not occur during exam or state-mandated testing periods unless authorized by the principal/designee.

A written request for such absences to be lawful/excused should be submitted at least one week in advance to the principal/designee. Please download the PDF fillableDiscretionary Absence Form and email it to sfesabsence@hcpss.org The form is also available in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish

If you are requesting a day for a religious holiday not identified by the Howard County Public School System school calendar, please download the PDF fillable Religious Obligation Form and email it to sfesabsence@hcpss.org

With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents, staff and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and in future life!