ATTENDANCE 

 Kilby Elementary School places a heavy emphasis on attendance. All children are expected to be in attendance each day unless they are ill or a family emergency arises.  We ask that you inform the school office before 8:45 a.m. when your child will be absent.  This can be done by calling (703) 494-6677.  A telephone answering machine is in operation during non-school hours.  Be sure to leave your child’s name, his/her teacher’s name, and the reason for the absence.  A note may be sent in when the child returns to school.  If we don’t receive a phone call or note, the absence will be marked unexcused.  We realize that there will be instances when your child may be tardy, but please avoid this whenever possible.  Tardiness and early releases are interruptions to the instructional program and should be avoided except in extreme emergencies. 

 Students are responsible for making up work when they are absent. 

PREARRANGED ABSENCES (VACATIONS, TRIPS, ETC.) 

 The principal uses professional judgment in making a determination based on the reasons stated in the written request for the prearranged absence.  Such factors are the educational value of the proposed experience, the personal or family benefit resulting from the experience, and the impact of the absence on the student’s academic progress will be given consideration in determining whether a prearranged absence is approved or disapproved.  In order for prearranged absences to be excused, principals must be notified in writing at least five school days prior to the absence.  The principal may excuse up to five consecutive days of prearranged absences.  Due to the varied requests on teachers, make-up work for prearranged absences will not be provided in advance.  We ask students to read a book, keep a journal, and practice math facts.  Other assignments can be completed when the student returns. 

ATTENDANCE POLICY 

 At Kilby, we will follow the Prince William County School attendance policy. A summary of our attendance policy is below: 

• After 3 unexcused absences – teacher contacts parent/ guardian 
• After 5 unexcused/ unverified absences – school administrator will meet with student and parent for an initial conference. An Attendance Plan will be created to ensure consistent attendance. A letter will be sent home to parent/ guardian 
• After the initial conference, if a student accumulates 2 or more unexcused/ unverified absences, a school administrator will schedule an interagency team meeting with the parent/ guardian and the Attendance Officer within 15 days of the absence. After the meeting, the student’s file will be forwarded to the Attendance Officer 
• If a student continues to accumulate unexcused absences after an Interagency Team Meeting is held, the student will be referred to our Attendance Officer for further action. 

WITHDRAWAL OF STUDENTS

 If you are moving and withdrawing your child from school, please call or come by the school a few days prior to the withdrawal date.  This will give ample time to complete the necessary paperwork, etc. Please be sure that any outstanding library books, electronic devices, cords, cases, etc. are returned and that all outstanding financial obligations have been fulfilled, such as lunch fees.

WHEN TO STAY HOME 

 Students with symptoms, such as a fever of 100◦F or over, severe coughing or difficulty breathing, cold/ flu, pink eye, ring worm, rashes, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea should stay at home. Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, pink eye, and rashes should stay home until a doctor evaluates their symptoms and determines whether or not they are contagious.  The Prince William County Department of Health recommends that students remain home fever-free, vomit-free and diarrhea-free for 24 hours after an illness before returning to school.