Absences From School:

ParentSquare should be used to report student absences. Parents can upload documentation such as doctor’s notes or other related forms.

FCMS does not accept phone calls or e-mails from parents as notification of absence.

If a student is unable to attend school, upon returning, the parent/guardian must complete an online attendance form (see online absence form) note within 48 hours of the student’s return to school to be excused.

If the ParentSquare form is not available at any time, a handwritten note can be accepted, and must include the following:

• Students Full Legal Name
• Day(s) Absent
• Reason for absence or Early Dismissal/Release
• Legal Parent / Guardian Signature
• Parent / Guardian current phone number

Please note, only Physician’s office is authorized to fax a note for the student to be excused, (fax# is 904-547-7885, Attention: FCMS Attendance).

 ·    Absences are excused (with a note) for the following reasons: 

– Illness of student

– Serious illness or death of immediate family member

– Medical or dental appointments for student

– Recognized religious holidays (A note must be provided upon return to school even if a student has gone to the school clinic and is released by the school nurse.)

·    Some absences are not excused (even with a note) if they do not fall within the guidelines of the SJCSD’s attendance policy. The following types of absences are NOT excused:

 – Travel

–  Sports competitions that are not an FCMS-sponsored team

–  Any other type of competition or performance not related to FCMS

–  “Take your child to work” days

–  Family emergencies/family matters are not automatically excused and are considered on a case-by-case basis – please provide information on your note. 

 **Please refer to pages 17-19 in the SJCSD Student Code of Conduct .

Tardy to School:

Parents do not need to walk tardy students into the school. Simply drop your students off and make sure you see them enter the front door. The students will sign in at the Front Office and be given a tardy pass to class. If the ParentSquare form is not available at any time, a handwritten note can be accepted upon check-in.

Check-out Procedure:

Parent or designee must come into the front office and present a valid State or Federal ID. Only designees listed on the student’s emergency contact list will be allowed to check out a student from school. Students will not be called out of class until person picking up the student is in the front office and presents a valid ID.
Please note: students must be checked out before 1:20pm (12:20pm on Wednesdays), so plan your student’s appointments accordingly.

What Parents and Students need to know about Attendance:

• You may contact your student’s teachers through Schoology to alert them that your student will be absent, however this does not excuse the absence. 
• Students and parents should reach out to the teacher first if you believe the teacher marked an absence in error.
• Students are only allotted 15 absences (excused or unexcused).  ALL absences after the 15^th absence (excused or unexcused) can only be excusedwith a doctor’s note. Parent notes will no longer be able to excuse further absences, including for late check-in or early check-out. The school district will send out notification if your student reaches the 15-day total absences threshold.
• Please note that if a student misses 3 or more periods in a school day, it is counted as a full-day absence.
• Attendance is considered for many school trips/events, especially for 8^th Please review your student’s attendance through HAC.