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Attendance Policy

Bridgewater Middle School

Attendance Policy

 

Florida law requires that students under the age of 18 attend school on a regular basis.  The attendance policies of Bridgewater Middle School are described below:

 

  • Daily, student absence will be recorded as unexcused until an acceptable excuse has been provided by the parent or legal guardian indicating the reason for the absence.
  • The principal has the final authority to decide whether an absence shall be excused. 
  • Attendance documentation must be submitted to the school within 48 hours of the student’s absence.
  • If necessary, the reason for the absence can be changed the day it is received.

REPORTING AN ABSENCE:

To report your child’s absence, you may send a written note or medical excuse when your child returns to school.  Your child must place the note in the designated basket in the Front Office. Not all absences are excused.  The reason provided on the note will be consideredPhone calls are not acceptable communications for excusing an absence. No exceptions.

 

EXCUSED ABSENCES:

  • Illness, injury or other insurmountable condition—either dismissed through the clinic, or with a note from the parent or guardian.
    • If a student is repeatedly absent due to illness, a written physician’s note for each subsequent absence is required to be considered excused.
  • Illness or death of a member of the student’s immediate family (the student’s mother, father, brother, sister, stepmother, stepfather, step-siblings, and other relatives who live in the student’s home).
  • Recognized religious holidays and/or religious instruction; refer to Florida State Statute 1003.21 (2)(b). In order to qualify as an excused absence, the religious tenets must forbid secular activities on that day, and the parents must have declared that their student is observing the holidays of that specific religion.  Religious absences are treated like prearranged absences—see “Prearranged Absences” below.
  • Sports events are also treated as prearranged absences—see “Prearranged Absences” below. You must provide a letter from the coach and a list of days absent.
  • Participation in an approved activity or class of instruction held at another school site.
  • Medical appointments—requires doctor’s note.
  • Legal appointments—requires appointment’s documentation.
  • Pediculosis (head lice) infestation (up to four (4) days per school year).
  • Catastrophic disasters that significantly impact the life of the student (e.g. loss of residence from natural disaster).

Prearranged Absences

If your child is planning to miss two or more days of school, you need to complete the OCPS Excused Absence Form, found in the Front Office. Once filled, return it to the attendance’s office at least five days prior for approval. Documentation is required. The student is responsible for informing the teachers of the days that they will be absent. Teachers will provide the student at least one day for each excused absence to make up for missed assignments.

 

 

Quick Links

Attendance Policy

Attendance Clerk
Sonia Deida
sonia.deida@ocps.net

Office 118