Attendance Line: (440) 965-4255 ext. 410003
Attendance Email: [email protected]
FAQ
Do I need to call the attendance line if my student will be absent?
YES, FHS requires a parent phone call for absences unless the student will be absent for an extended period of time (3 or more days), and then a note describing the absence is required.
If I call the attendance line, will my student’s absence be excused?
NO, phone calls or messages do not excuse an absence. A written excuse from a parent/guardian or official is required in order for a partial or full day of absence to be excused. Listed below are reasons from Ohio Revised Code on when absences will be approved.
Will I be notified if my student is absent?
YES, if a parent phone call is not placed, notification of student absence will be sent within 2 hours of their 1st scheduled period of the day at FHS.
EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
If a student needs to leave school early, the parent/guardian must:
-Call the attendance line (440) 965-4255 ext. 410003
OR
-Send in a note stating the reason for early dismissal and the exact time the student must be released.
*If you are calling to have a student dismissed early, please try to give notice 1 hour prior to the dismissal.
*Students will not be permitted to leave school grounds without a dismissal pass from the main office. Also, students must call home from the office if they are requesting parent permission to leave school due to illness. Calls or text messages from anywhere but the main office are prohibited.
*When determining what time a student should leave early, please keep in mind it may take them up to 5 minutes to collect their belongings, pick up their dismissal pass, and walk to their vehicle.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:HB 410
In 2016, both the Ohio House and Senate passed House Bill 410, which adopts nationally accepted best practices to support students and families and keep students engaged in school and on a path to success. Due to this legislation, FHS will place any student on Attendance Notice who has missed 38 or more hours of school within 30 days, and/or 65 or more hours of school in the year. Please note, these hours may be due to excused or unexcused absences. Additionally, per Ohio House Bill 410, any student who has missed 30 or more consecutive unexcused hours of school, 42 or more unexcused hours of school in one month, and/or 72 or more total unexcused hours of school in the year will be designated as “Habitual Truant” and assigned to an Absence Intervention Team. Further absences could result in referral to the Lorain County Juvenile Court. Hours of absence from school include time missed due to tardiness and early dismissal.
Under state school law, the parent or guardian must provide an explanation for the absence, which shall be recorded by the approving authority of the school and shall include the date and time of the absence. Emancipated youth and married children under the age of eighteen may provide the explanation for their absence.
Per Ohio Revised Code, only the following reasons will be recognized as an excused student absence:
-Illness of the child. Parent note required. The approving authority may require the written statement of a physician/mental health professional if it is deemed appropriate.
-Illness in the family necessitating the presence of the child. Parent note required. The approving authority may require the written statement of a physician/mental health professional if it is deemed appropriate.
-Quarantine of the home. Official document required. The absence of a child from school under this condition is limited to the length of quarantine as determined by the proper health officials.
-Death of a relative. Parent note required. The absence arising from this condition is limited to a period of eighteen school hours unless a reasonable cause may be shown by the applicant child for a longer absence.
-Medical, dental or court appointment. Official note required. The approving authority may require the written statement of a physician/mental health professional if it is deemed appropriate.
-Observance of religious holidays. Parent note required. Any child shall be excused if his/her absence was for the purpose of observing a religious holiday consistent with his/her truly held religious beliefs.
-College visitation. Official note from college required.
- Absences due to a student's placement in foster care or change in foster care placement or any court proceedings related to their foster care status. Official document required.
- Absences due to a student being homeless.
- Emergency or other set of circumstances in which the judgment of the school administration constitutes a good and sufficient cause for absence from school.