Manassas Park High School
Attendance Office
Find the information and forms you need to report an absence, request an early dismissal, or plan an absence in advance.
Most Common Request
Report an Absence
Email the Attendance Office with the required student and absence information.
Email the Attendance Office →
Plan Ahead
Pre-Arranged Absence
Download the form, collect each teacher's signature, and return it before the absence.
Download the Absence Form →
What to Include When Reporting an Absence
Contact the school before 7:25 AM when a student will be absent. The reason for the absence must be provided within three school days after the student returns or the absence will be considered unexcused.
- Student's full name
- Date or dates of the absence
- Reason for the absence
- Parent or guardian name/signature
- Telephone number where a parent or guardian can be reached
Email: [email protected]
Attendance Procedures
Returning After an Absence
When a student returns after an absence, the student must check in with the main office. Office staff will provide a pass for the student to enter class.
Early Dismissal
A note or email from a parent or guardian must be provided to the main office before school begins on the day of dismissal. Phone approval during the school day is limited to emergencies and is subject to administrative approval.
The request should include:
- Student's full name
- Date and reason for the early dismissal
- Parent or guardian name/signature
- A telephone number where the parent or guardian can be reached
The student or guardian must complete the sign-out process through the main office.
Illness During the School Day
A student who becomes ill must report to the nurse's office. The nurse will contact the student's parent or guardian. Students may not leave school without parent or guardian permission obtained through the school.
Planned Absences
Obtain the pre-arranged absence form from the main office or download it above. Each teacher must sign the form, and the completed form must be returned to the main office before the absence.
Pre-arranged absences may include family vacations, college visits, court appearances, medical appointments, and job interviews. Family vacations are unexcused.
Documented college visits and entrance examinations for post-secondary programs, including the military, will not be counted as an absence for the day when properly pre-arranged. Without prior approval, the absence will be considered unexcused.
Tardy to Class
A warning bell rings one minute before the final class bell. Students are expected to be in every class on time every day.
- Two unexcused tardies of fewer than 15 minutes result in after-school detention.
- An unexcused tardy of 15 minutes or more is recorded as an unexcused absence and may also result in an administrative referral for cutting class.
Attendance Requirements & Interventions
Attendance Is Required
Virginia's compulsory-attendance law generally requires children who have reached age five by September 30 and have not passed age 18 to attend an approved educational program, subject to the exceptions described in state law.
State Attendance Process
When a student is absent and the school has no indication that a parent or guardian is aware of and supports the absence, school personnel must make reasonable efforts to contact the family. Continued nonattendance may lead to a jointly developed attendance plan, a conference, additional interventions, referral to the attendance officer, and possible court proceedings as provided by Virginia law.
Read Virginia Code § 22.1-254 | Read Virginia Code § 22.1-258
MPHS Attendance Interventions
- After three unexcused absences in a nine-week period, an attendance meeting will be held with the attendance officer, school counselor, parent or guardian, and student.
- If unexcused absences continue, the school may hold a follow-up meeting and may schedule an appointment with truancy intake.
- The automated PowerSchool system may contact families when a student is not in school.
- Written notification is sent when a student reaches three, five, and seven unexcused or unverified full-day absences per semester.
School Functions
Students who drop out of school or do not attend regularly forfeit the right to return to attend school functions, including dances.