All students who are absent will be marked “unexcused” (U) until the parent/guardian notifies the school in writing and justifies the absence with one of the acceptable reasons as defined below: • Failure to do so within three (3) school days will cause the absence to be recorded as “unexcused”. • In the case of excessive or extended absences, which are claimed to be due to illness, upon request of the principal or designee, a parent must provide documentation (doctor’s statement) of a student's illness. Reasons for acceptable (excused) absences include but are not limited to: • Illness of student • Major illness in the immediate family of the student (immediate family is determined as parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, legal guardians or persons “in loco parentis,” or a member of one’s own household) • Death in the immediate family of the student • Religious holiday of the student’s faith (including Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Epiphany, etc.) • Religious instruction (including Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation, etc.) • Religious institutes, conferences, workshops, provided that the principal or designee approves the absence in advance • Absences for trips or other parental requests. (Requests must be approved in writing by the principal or designee, at least one (1) week in advance) • In-school or out-of-school suspension • Issues and occasions specific to miliary families • Subpoena or forced absence by any law enforcement agency (copy of subpoena or court summons must be submitted to school) • For purposes of attendance, school related activities would not be counted as absences from school. During any pre-approved student absences, it is strongly suggested that the student requests their make up work before leaving on their approved absence. Florida Law (Section 1003.26(1)(b), Florida Statues) provides that if a student has at least five (5) unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a calendar month or ten (10) unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a ninety (90) calendar day period, the school must take action. The school may require documented medical and legal excuses for a pattern of non-attendance. • Attendance shall be counted period by period (Secondary only) • A student, whose parent or legal guardian is an active-duty member of the armed forces and has been called to duty, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment, shall be granted additional excused absences, at the discretion of the school district’s superintendent or designee, to spend time with said student’s parent/guardian, relative to such leave or deployment. • After three (3) unexcused absences the school shall contact the home (or workplace) of the parent/guardian to determine the reason for the absence. Use of the Student Absence Reporting Form below indicates that you understand the information provided above from the Pasco County Schools Student Code of Conduct.