Dear NDHS Community,
We want to take a moment to highlight the importance of healthy attendance and punctuality. Being present and on time is not just about following school rules; it’s about setting the foundation for your student’s success. Each day in the classroom is an opportunity for engagement, learning, and growth, and we believe that every student deserves the chance to thrive.
While we will touch on the consequences of absenteeism and tardiness, our primary focus is on fostering a positive mindset around being present. Together, let’s encourage our students to make the most of their educational experience by being in class, on time, and ready to engage.
Thank you for your continued support in helping our students succeed!
DCPS Attendance Policy
The DCPS Attendance Policy can be viewed on the district website. For your convenience here is a direct link: https://www.dcps.k12.md.us/page/attendance-policy
Missing Work Due to Unlawful Absences
Make-up Work
Students are expected to complete all assignments in the timeframe established by the teacher.
Students who are absent from school as a result of a lawful or unlawful absence are required to complete make-up work for credit per the county attendance policy.
The following parameters will be followed for make-up work as a result of a student’s absence:
Teachers are responsible for providing access to make-up work within 5 school days to students who were lawfully or unlawfully absent.
For lawful absences that have prior approval by the principal or designee, assignments may be provided in advance when possible. The request for assignments must be made in writing at least two weeks in advance of the absence. Submission of the make-up work provided prior to a lawful absence is due upon the return to school unless extenuating circumstances have been documented by the parent/guardian.
Students will be given the number of days equal to the number of days absent to submit completed make-up work unless extenuating circumstances have been documented by the parent/guardian.
A reasonable time will be established by the school for students who are absent 6 or more consecutive days
What is a Class Cut?
At NDHS, a class cut is defined as a student being out of their assigned class, or late to class, with or without permission, for more than 10 minutes (13-14% of class).
This includes being on an assigned pass, but not returning before the pass ends in 10 minutes.
What defines Tardy or Late at ND?
Students who are not through the threshold of the door of their assigned classroom when the late bell rings each period will be considered Tardy Unexcused.
However, if a student is tardy for more than 10 minutes, they will automatically be considered for a class cut.
Consequences for Attendance Infractions
In general, administration may grant 1 verbal warning each quarter for first time infractions for class cut or tardies.
-Students will receive 1 Day of ISIP for each Class Cut infraction.
-Students will receive 1 Day of ISIP for 4 or more accumulated tardies. These include:
Late to individual classes
Late to school without a valid excuse (no matter the time entering the building)
combinations of late to classes or late to schools
-Students who have 1 Day of ISIP or more will placed on an Activity Ban for the remainder of the quarter. This means no extra-curricular activities until the end of the academic quarter.
-Students who accumulate more than fifteen (15) days of unlawful absences in a course that meets every other day or more than twenty (20) days of unlawful absences in a course that meets every day will receive a failing grade in that course.
