B. The following are lawful cause of absence:
1. Death in the immediate family, which is a parent, stepparent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, or uncle.
2. Illness of the student. The principal shall require a physician's certificate from the parent or guardians of a student reported continuously absent for illness.
3. Court summons.
4. Hazardous weather conditions that endanger the health or safety of the student while in transit to and from school.
5. Work approved or sponsored by the school.
6. Observance of a religious holiday.
7. State emergency.
8. Suspension.
9. Lack of authorized transportation; however, this shall not include students denied authorized transportation for disciplinary reasons.
10. Other emergency or circumstance, which, in the judgment of the Superintendent/designee constitutes a good and sufficient cause for absence from school.
The principal/designee will consult with the student and the student's parents or guardians when determining whether or not a student's absence shall be lawful or unlawful in view of the reasons listed above.
C. Definitions
Within the context of this policy, the following definitions:
Absence - The failure of a student to be physically present in the school or at a school-related activity during the school day.
Attendance - The act of being physically present at school or school-related activities during the school day.
Attendance source documents - Electronic records that are maintained by the classroom teacher, homeroom teacher, substitute, or other staff member that documents the student s attendance.
Chronically absent - A year-to-date absence rate of 10% or more, including both lawful and unlawful absences.
Habitual truant - Students who are absent without lawful cause as defined in COMAR 13A.08.01.03 from such attendance for more than 8 days in a marking term, or 15 days in a semester, or 20 days in a school year are deemed habitually truant.
D. It is the parents responsibility to ensure that their children attend school on a regular basis. Parents may certify up to ten (10) full-day absences. All absences beyond the ten (10) days must be certified with a physician's certificate. All absences for illness, including those with physician s certificates, are included in the total of lawful absences for the school year. Absences beyond the ten (10) that are not certified with a physician's certificate will be unlawful.
E. Participation in trips sponsored by non-school organizations and/or parents or guardians, if determined by the school principal in accordance with Worcester County Procedures to have significant educational value, will be lawful. The student's progress, achievement, and attendance record should be taken into account when trips are being discussed. A maximum of five (5) school days will be allowed for family trips during any one school year. Plans for the completion of missed class work should be completed prior to the trip. Satisfactory arrangements must be made with the teacher and principal at least ten (10) school days in advance. It is strongly recommended that families plan trips around days when schools are closed to minimize days lost from classroom instruction.
F. Classroom make‑up work for lawful absences must be submitted to the teacher within five (5) school days following the student's return to class and receipt of assignments from the teacher. The principal/designee may accept other make‑up plans for long‑term absence due to unusual circumstances.
G. Participation in class discussion and/or group work that cannot be made up, should not be held against the student unless the student has been absent so often that a meaningful and effective learning experience has not occurred.
H. High school students, with authorization by the principal, may make up time missed from class. Make up time for each class period is 90 minutes for semester long classes and 45 minutes for yearlong courses.
I. Classes missed due to school sponsored trips such as field trips, band, athletic, Career Technology Education (CTE), etc., authorized by the principal, and shall be considered present. Students must assume the responsibility for making up the missed work. If requested, teachers may require students to complete and/or submit assignments online.