Attendance Office

General Attendance Information

Children who come to school regularly* develop fundamental reading and math skills while developing a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers.

Research shows that children who were chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade. By sixth grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. (Source: Baltimore Education Research Consortium, February 2011).

*CCPS understands that not all children are able to attend school regularly due to medical reasons and other issues.

Reporting a Student Absence

If a student is absent from school, a note must be turned into the Attendance Office within five days of the absence. Notes received will be coded. Until a note is received by the attendance office, all official excusable absences will be marked unexcused. Notes can be received in person during regular school hours, by email to: mtesattendance@ccboe.com or completing the Attendance Note Form linked below.

Electronic Reporting of a Student Absence

Attendance Note for Students

*Please refrain from resubmitting multiple requests for the same day.

Once you have submitted the form, please allow 2-3 business days for changes to take place in Synergy. No further action is needed.

Note: After (3) three days of Sick and/or Mental Health, a doctor’s note is required to excuse the absence.

Checking a Student Out of School

If a student must be checked out of school for a Medical/Dental Appointment or other planned event, etc., the parent/guardian must sign out the student in the Attendance Office and show valid photo identification before leaving campus with the student.

Visit the CCPS Attendance webpage and CCPS Student Services Attendance webpage to learn more about the CCPS attendance policy.

Excused Absences

Lawful absences include:

Illness of the student.
Death in the immediate family.
Court summons.
Hazardous weather conditions.
Observance of religious holidays.
State emergencies.
Approved work or school-sponsored activities.
Lack of authorized transportation.
Health exclusions.

The absences listed above are considered as excused, with the submission of notes. NOTE: A medical note is needed after 3 consecutive days of absences for mental health and illnesses. For out-of-town funerals, exceeding 3 days please use Form Code 13 (Code 13 only grants a total of 5 days in any school year). Excused absences DO NOT COUNT towards the student’s attendance under the CCPS attendance policy.

Early Dismissal Request

Students will not be dismissed until the parent/guardian is present to receive your student. To enter any Charles County Public School buildings, you must have a State Issued Driver's License to be scanned or copied. Please allow time in your schedule for the Attendance Office to retrieve your student from their class. 

Note that there will be no dismissal of students after 1:15pm on Early dismissal days and 3:15pm on a normal school day.

Form Code 13

For extended absences due to an educational trip or unique life experience, parents can submit a Parent Request Excused Absence (Code 13*) application to the school’s attendance secretary, no later than two (2) weeks prior to the student’s first date of absence.

*Code 13 — Other emergency or set of circumstances which, in the judgement of the Superintendent or designee, constitutes a good and sufficient cause for absence from school for up to five school days per school year, including an educational trip or unique life experience. A vacation is not considered an educational trip or a unique life experience Make-up work will be allowed for approved absences and must be returned to the school three days from the date of return.

This document is approved by the school’s principal and must be completed and sent to mtesattendance@ccboe.com

Code 13 Request for Absence Approval Form (English)

Code 13 Request for Absence Approval Form (Spanish)

Other Pertinent Information

If a student becomes ill at school, he/she needs to report to the school nurse upon release from the teacher.  The nurse will determine if he/she needs to be excused due to illness.  The parent/guardian will be contacted by the nurse to arrange pick up and sign out the student in the Attendance Office.  If the student is sent home by the nurse, this is considered an excused absence (DOES NOT count towards the student’s attendance under the CCPS attendance policy) for the remainder of that day. Subsequent absences will need a parent note to be excused.  Should the nurse choose not to send a student home due to illness and the parent chooses to sign out their student, this is an unexcused absence until a parent note is received.

Custodial/Non-custodial Rights

FAQs

Where do I find the CCPS Policy?
Attendance Policy - Charles County Public Schools (ccboe.com)
How many days do I have to verify tardiness or absences before they are coded as unlawful?
Five (5) days (See Parent Handbook/Calendar 2025-26 page 6.
How many absences can my child have per marking period?
Students unlawfully absent more than 10% of the school days in any given marking period (4.5 days), semester (9 days) or academic year (18 days) may be considered for retention.
Are vacations considered an excused absence?
No. Parents are discouraged from scheduling vacations during the school year. In the event of an emergency, please refer to FORM CODE 13 (FAMILY EMERGENCIES/WORK APPROVED/OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES) see CODE 13 section above.
Can someone listed on my emergency contact list pick up my student?
Yes. You must submit in advanced a written or email (must come from the email on file) notice authorization each time for anyone picking up your student that is not listed as the legal parent/guardian in Synergy even if that person is listed on your emergency contact list. The emergency contact list is used in the event of an emergency, and the parent/guardian cannot be reached, then the school will begin to reach out to the individuals that you have listed.
I received an Attendance Violation letter. What happens next?

School officials adhere to the following communication plan:

Daily automated call out.
After five absences of any kind (excused or unexcused), the school will notify parents/guardians through a letter sent home, by phone or other electronic communication.
After 10 absences (excused or unexcused), parents/guardians are contacted. A meeting may be set to develop an attendance improvement plan.
After 15 absences (excused or unexcused), the student may be referred to the school's pupil personnel worker for investigation. This may include conferences with school personnel, review of school records, referral to the student support team, and/or contact with community agencies.
If a student is absent more than 20 days, they will be scheduled for an attendance review involving the principal, pupil personnel worker, parents/guardians, and the student. The review will assess the circumstances of the absences and recommend supports and interventions.
Additional absences may result in the student and their parent/guardian being referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office for possible legal action for chronic truancy.

EVERYDAY COUNTS

Attendance Family Handout