VHS Attendance Policy

Not all absences are considered excused. Click on the reason below that applies to your student to request Mrs. Sears's approval for the absence(s) to be excused.

Out of town absences are considered unexcused unless pre-approved by the principal.  To request for your child’s absence to be excused, complete the form linked below.  You will receive notification confirming the approval.

There are two options for early dismissals:

Option 1: Send a note with your student and have them bring it to Attendance first thing in the morning.  They will be given a pass to leave class, sign themselves out, and meet you in the parking lot.

• Notes must be brought to Attendance before 9:00am.

Option 2: Come inside to the Attendance Office with your Photo ID to sign your student out.

Please note: Early Dismissals during lunch may take longer to locate the student if they are in the cafeteria.

*Per Mrs. Sears’ directives, we do not call students for early dismissals after 3:30pm.

• A senior cannot be absent from the class more than 10 times during the school year. (Semester classes - no more than 5 times)
• This INCLUDES excused and principal approved absences
• This DOES NOT INCLUDE school related absences (field trips, school related activities, athletics, etc.)
• Six unexcused tardies to school immediately removes the senior from eligibility for exam exemption.

• Medical appointment - note must be provided, or parent/guardian must call
• Illness of the student - note must be provided, or parent/guardian must call
• Serious illness in the family which would necessitate the absence of the student
• Death in the family
• Special and recognized religious holidays
• Other reason approved by the principal - must be approved in advance

• Medical appointment - note must be provided, or parent/guardian must call
• Illness of the student - note must be provided, or parent/guardian must call
• Serious illness in the family which would necessitate the absence of the student
• Death in the family
• Special and recognized religious holidays
• Other reason approved by the principal - must be approved in advance

• Missing the bus
• Car problems
• Waking up late
• Running late
• Medical appointment - without a note or parent sign in
• Not feeling well - without a note or parent sign in
• Parking issues
• Traffic
• Family emergency/personal reasons
• No reason

*All absences and tardies are considered unexcused until the parent/guardian calls, or a written note from the parent or a professional note is provided.

Students are expected to attend all assigned classes every day. Absence from class includes late arrival, early dismissal or being missing from any class. Justifiable reasons for non-attendance should be submitted to the school for each absence, late arrival, or class absence. Absences from class require approval from an administrator. Unexcused tardiness and/or skipping class are considered violations of compulsory attendance.

When a student accumulates five (5) unexcused absences, the parent or guardian will be contacted, and a meeting will be scheduled to jointly develop a plan to resolve the student’s nonattendance. If the student is absent for more than one (1) additional day after a plan has been developed to resolve the absences, a school conference will be held with the administrator or his/her designee, parent or guardian and the student (if appropriate). The school conference will be held no later than 10 school days after the student’s 10th absence. 

The conference team will monitor the student’s attendance and may meet again as necessary to address concerns and plan additional interventions. If attendance does not improve, a referral will be made to the attendance officer.

Upon receipt of a referral, the attendance officer will schedule a conference with the student and his/her parent or guardian within 10 school days. Following this conference, the attendance officer may file a complaint with the juvenile and domestic relations district court, alleging the pupil is a child in need of supervision or in institute proceedings against the parent.

All student absences are considered unexcused unless the parent either calls the school or sends a written note to provide a justifiable reason for the absence within 24 hours of the absence. Acceptable excuses include the following:

• Illness of student.
• Serious illness in family which necessitates absence of student.
• Death in family.
• Special and recognized religious holidays.
• Other reasons approved by principal.

A written statement by a physician may be required when a student misses more than 10 days during the school year because of illness.

Once a student arrives on school property, he/she may not leave without administrative permission prior to the end of the regularly scheduled day. Students with early dismissals must sign out prior to leaving school. High school students with written authorization from a parent or legal guardian, may sign themselves out; however, elementary/middle school students must be signed out by a parent or legal guardian who must present a pictured ID card when picking a student up from any school.

Attendance Secretary: Ms. Jones
Email: srjones2@henrico.k12.va.us
Phone: (804)226-8700 Option 1

Please leave a voicemail with your student's name, your name, and why they are absent.

• Missing 2 days a month = missing 10% of the school year.
• Absences are considered unexcused unless a parent/guardian contacts the school by phone (804-226-8700, option 1) or by note within 24 hours.
• Students who accumulate 10 excused absences due to illness will require a physician’s note for future absences to be excused.
• Legal action may be taken when a student is habitually, and without justification, absent from school.
• School Counselors and Social Workers are available to assist with barriers to attendance.