Report an Absence / Late Arrival / Early Dismissal Procedures

Mon, 05/02/2016 - 8:14am

Report an Absence / Late Arrival / Early Dismissal Procedures

Fri, 09/03/2021 - 6:50am

When a student is absent, the parent/guardian must report the absence to the school by emailing EMMSabsence@hcpss.org.  The e-mail should include the following:

  • Student first and last name - absence in the subject line  
  • Send from the e-mail address on your family file 
  • Date and reason for absence
  • Parent name and phone number

Upon receipt of the note, the attendance record in Synergy will be updated per HCPSS policy. Please review HCPSS Policy 9010 – Attendance for guidelines on what is considered to be a Lawful (Excused) Absence.

A student has five days from the date of the absence to send a note. If the note is received after the five-day grace period, the absence will remain unexcused. If a note is not received, the absence will be documented as Truant (unexcused). Please see the Secondary Student Handbook for more information.

Late Arrivals

Students who arrive late to school will enter through the main entrance. The student will proceed to the Student Services Office and see Ms. Shafer or Ms. Thorn to check-in. Students will be provided with a slip to share with their teacher. 

If it is an excused tardy parents should email a note to EMMSabsence@hcpss.org. We will not accept handwritten notes. Please include:

  • Student first and last name and late arrival in the subject line 
  • Send from the e-mail address on your family file
  • Indicate the reason for the late arrival.
  • Parent name and phone number

Early Dismissal Procedures 

There will be no early dismissal after 2:50 pm daily. There is simply not enough time to process a dismissal before the regular dismissal time. 

NOTE: The following is a new procedure to take effect March 23, 2022.

 

Early Dismissal Procedures: 

  • When a parent arrives at the school, please come to either vestibule entrance with your driver's license or official ID and press the call button. 
  • Indicate that you are here for an early dismissal of your student/s. 
  • You will then be given access to enter the building and asked to follow the directions for "Early Dismissal" at our Lobby Guard. 
    • You must have your driver's license or ID available to complete the process.
    • The easy-to-follow instructions will be clearly marked next to the Lobby Guard. 

  • Once the Lobby Guard procedure is completed, you will be directed to Student Services to give the name of your student. 

    • Be prepared to show your ID 

    • Once confirmed that you are eligible for pick up, you will be asked to return to your vehicle or to either vestibule to await the arrival of your student.

What is considered an excused absence?

A lawful absence is an excused absence for any portion of the day under the following conditions:

  • Illness of the student
  • Death in the immediate family
  • Court summons
  • Observance of a religious holiday - complete THIS FORM if you need to be absent for a religious observance
  • Hazardous weather conditions (as determined by the Superintendent)
  • State emergency (as determined by the Governor)
  • Suspension
  • Lack of authorized transportation (school system transportation)