School Day

Students may arrive between 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

School begins - 9:30 a.m. 

Students are tardy - 9:31 a.m.

Early dismissal ends - 2:45 p.m. 

School ends - 3:40 p.m. 

If your child is a walker, car rider or van rider, they must be picked up no later than 3:50 p.m.

Attendance

We understand the importance of regular school attendance in ensuring each child receives the maximum instructional benefit from their classroom experiences. According to Maryland State Law, all students aged five and older must attend public school throughout the entire school year unless otherwise exempted by law. It is crucial that every student is present daily to maintain continuity in their education.

To support this commitment, we ask that parents or guardians communicate promptly and provide written documentation for any student absences within three days of their return to school. It is also the student’s responsibility to make up all missed assignments promptly. Please refer to Board Policy 5113 for detailed information on our Attendance Policy.

We recognize that circumstances may arise where absences are necessary and lawful, such as illness, family emergencies, or other specified reasons outlined by Maryland State Law. Only absences deemed lawful by the state of Maryland will allow students to receive make-up work, ensuring they have adequate time to complete missed assignments. The list of lawful absences are: 

• Death in the immediate family (i.e., parent, guardian, brother, sister, grandparent), or extended family and close non-relatives. ~ A maximum of 4 days are allowed. 
• Illness of the student. The principal may require a physician’s certificate from the parent/guardian of a student that is reported absent for illness at least three school days. If absences reach six days a physician’s certificate will be required. If needed, student medical care may be available at a Prince George’s County Public Schools Wellness Center
• Mental Health Day. Students may receive as an excused absence one (1) day of absence in each semester of each school year for a student’s mental health needs. ~ A maximum of 2 days a year
• Pregnancy and parenting related conditions. This is for the individual, not family members. 

• Court Summons. Court documentation will be required. 

• Hazardous weather conditions that would endanger the health or safety of the student when in transit to and from school. The school system/state will make this determination. 

• Observance of a religious holiday

• State emergency

• Suspension

• Lack of authorized transportation. This shall not include students denied authorized transportation for disciplinary reasons.
• Health exclusion, which includes immunizations and other health related communicable or contagious diseases. 
• Absence due to Military Families. PGCPS supports the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. A lawful absence shall be granted to students while visiting with a parent or legal guardian who is an active duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat supporting posting. Accordingly, students must receive missed homework assigned during the time they were absent. Military orders may be requested.

For students with unlawful absences, including unauthorized "cut days," consequences such as receiving zeros for missed work may apply. Teachers are not obligated to provide make-up work for these absences.

Chronic Absences: A student is considered chronically absent when a he/she misses 10% of the school days, whether lawful or unlawful absences, including suspensions for at least:

1. Four days in a quarter: equates to missing 28 lessons and 26 hours of instruction.
2. Nine days a semester: equates to missing 63 lessons and 58.5 hours of instruction. 
3. Eighteen days in a school year: equates to missing 126 lessons and 117 hours of instruction. 

PGCPS and the state of Maryland require each school to have a plan to address chronic absences and truancy. FES will work with all partners to ensure that we continuously reduce our chronic absenteeism rate. 

Habitually Truant: A student is considered habitually truant when a he/she misses 20% of the school days, whether lawful or unlawful absences, including suspensions for at least:

1. Nine days in a quarter: equates to missing 63 lessons and 58.5 hours of instruction.
2. Eighteen days a semester: equates to missing 126 lessons and 107 hours of instruction.
3. Thirty-six days in a school year: equates to missing 252 lessons and 234 hours of instruction.

There may be legal consequences associated with truancy. 

Reporting Lawful Absences by Parents/Legal Guardians:

A written explanation of each absence is required from the parent/legal guardian within three(3) school days of the student’s return to school via your child’s teacher. The note must indicate the dates and reason for the absence(s). This can be done via email. When possible, use the Absence Notification Electronic form.