ATTENDANCE – Southern Middle School students have consistently had outstanding school attendance. The faculty and staff strive to model excellent attendance and expect it from our students because we believe that students with consistent regular attendance have the most to gain from the school program. The Calvert County Code of Conduct outlines the attendance policy for middle school students.
ABSENCES – During the school year, the need for a student to be absent may arise. Legal excuses for an absence include illness, death in the family, quarantine, and court. Students missing 18 days total (legal or illegal) for one school year will automatically fail for the year. See CCPS Code of Conduct. Students returning from absences without a SMS Absentee Note certifying lawful absences will be given three school days to provide such certification. The SMS Absentee Note template has been established and will be provided for your convenience in every school newsletter. Absences not certified at the end of three days will be considered unlawful. Students who receive bus suspensions are still required to attend school. Students who are absent from school or leave school early may not attend after-school activities without prior approval of the principal.
Students who are absent 12 or more days will be considered having chronic absenteeism and may be required to provide doctor's notes for any absences thereafter and placed on an attendance contract.
Vacations are not considered legal reasons to be absent from school.
NOTES EXCUSING ABSENCES - Upon returning to school after an absence, each student has three school days to present the required written excuse note to his/her first period teacher from the parent/guardian indicating the reason for the absence. The note will include 1) the student's first and last name; 2) the student's grade; 3) the parent or guardians first and last name; 4) the reason for the absence; and 5) a phone number where the parent/guardian can be reached.
ABSENCES – During the school year, the need for a student to be absent may arise. Legal excuses for an absence include illness, death in the family, quarantine, and court. Students missing 18 days total (legal or illegal) for one school year will automatically fail for the year. See CCPS Code of Conduct. Students returning from absences without a SMS Absentee Note certifying lawful absences will be given three school days to provide such certification. The SMS Absentee Note template has been established and will be provided for your convenience in every school newsletter. Absences not certified at the end of three days will be considered unlawful. Students who receive bus suspensions are still required to attend school. Students who are absent from school or leave school early may not attend after-school activities without prior approval of the principal.
Students who are absent 12 or more days will be considered having chronic absenteeism and may be required to provide doctor's notes for any absences thereafter and placed on an attendance contract.
Vacations are not considered legal reasons to be absent from school.
NOTES EXCUSING ABSENCES - Upon returning to school after an absence, each student has three school days to present the required written excuse note to his/her first period teacher from the parent/guardian indicating the reason for the absence. The note will include 1) the student's first and last name; 2) the student's grade; 3) the parent or guardians first and last name; 4) the reason for the absence; and 5) a phone number where the parent/guardian can be reached.