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Important Note on Student Pick-Up: Only individuals listed on your student’s authorized pickup list will be permitted to sign them out. Updates must be completed through ParentVUE during the Annual Verification process.

Daily Attendance Matters

Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Last year, Damascus High School had the 6th highest chronic absenteeism rate among MCPS high schools. We are determined to improve this together with your support!

What is Chronic Absenteeism? A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year (18 days total, or roughly 2 days a month) for any reason—including excused illnesses, unexcused absences, and family travel.

Key MCPS & DHS Attendance Expectations 

  • No Make-Up Work for Unexcused Absences: Per MCPS Grading & Reporting Policy, students with unexcused/unlawful absences will not be permitted to make up missed work.
  • Family Travel & Vacations: Vacations and family trips taken on school days are classified as unexcused/unlawful absences.
  • Make-Up Work Window: For excused absences only, students typically have one school day for every day missed to request and complete make-up work.

How to Report Absences & Dismissals

Note: Absences cannot be excused over the telephone.

  1. Reporting a Student Absence- To excuse an absence, submit an email to DHSAttendance@mcpsmd.org or provide a written note within three (3) school days of your student’s return. Your note/email must include:
  • Student’s full name and ID number
  • Dates of the absence
  • Specific reason for the absence
  1. Scheduled Early Dismissals- If your student needs to leave school early:
  • Send a written note with your student on the morning of the dismissal, or email the Attendance Office in advance.
  • Include the student's full name, ID number, dismissal time, and reason.
  • Your student will receive a pass to leave class at the designated time and may exit the building independently. Parents do not need to enter the building.
  1. Unexpected Early Dismissals- If you need to pick up your student unexpectedly:
  • Come into the Welcome Center with a valid photo ID.
  • Sign your student out at the desk.
  • Our team will call your student down from class once you arrive.

Absence Categories & Guidelines

Excused (Lawful) Absences: Absences are excused only with an acceptable reason and a written note submitted within 3 days of return. Examples of Excused Absences:

  • Student illness (certified medical or mental health incapacity)
  • Medical appointments
  • Death in the immediate family
  • Religious holidays recognized by MCPS
  • College visits (see guidelines below)
  • Court summons
  • State emergencies or hazardous weather
  • Suspension or lack of authorized MCPS transportation

Unexcused (Unlawful) Absences

Examples of Unexcused Absences:

  • Family vacations and travel
  • Driving lessons or road tests
  • Missed bus / overslept

Tardiness & Partial Absences

  • Late Arrival: Students arriving late must sign in at the Attendance Office. 
  • Graded Work & Unexcused Tardies: Any graded work or assessments missed due to an unexcused tardy will receive a grade of zero and cannot be made up. 
  • Class Absence: Missing more than 50% of a class period constitutes an absence for that specific class.
  • Full-Day Absence: Missing more than 4 hours and 10 minutes generally counts as a full-day absence.

College Visit Guidelines (Grades 11 & 12)

While post-secondary planning is critical for upperclassmen, missing school directly impacts instructional time and attendance records. Whenever possible, please schedule college visits on weekends, school breaks, or non-instructional days.

Requirement(s)

Details & Guidance

Eligible Grade Levels

Limited exclusively to Juniors (Grade 11) and Seniors (Grade 12).

Maximum Allowance

High school students are permitted a cumulative total of five (5) school days for college visits across high school (not 5 days per year). 

Prior Approval

Written notification or a request form must be submitted to the attendance office at least 48 hours to 3 days in advance.

Proof of Visit Required

Upon returning, students must submit official documentation of the visit (e.g., an admissions confirmation email or a signed letter on university letterhead) to the attendance office.

Travel Day Restriction: All travel days associated with a college visit are classified as unexcused absences. 

Because additional travel days contribute to chronic absenteeism..

Steps to Request an Excused College Visit:

  1. Plan Ahead: Try to schedule visits during non-school hours or weekends.
  2. Submit Request: Submit a written request/form to Attendance at least 3 days prior.
  3. Obtain Verification: Request an official visit verification letter from the college admissions office during your tour.
  4. Submit Proof: Hand in the official documentation to the DHS Attendance Office immediately upon returning to school.

Upperclassmen Privileges: Open Lunch & Campus Parking

Participating in Open Lunch and driving to campus are privileges reserved for Juniors and Seniors who maintain strong academic standing and consistent attendance.

Eligibility is reviewed at the close of each Marking Period. Privileges for students who do not meet these expectations will lose their privilege for the following Marking Period.

Eligibility Criteria: To retain your parking permit and/or Open Lunch privileges, you must meet all of the following:

  1. Academic Standing: Maintain a minimum 2.0 unweighted GPA with no more than one failing grade (E).
  2. Key Period Attendance (Periods 1 & 5): No more than 5 total unexcused absences in Period 1 or Period 5 combined. (Note: 3 tardies equal 1 unexcused absence).
  3. Overall Attendance: Avoid chronic absenteeism by keeping total absences (excused or unexcused) below 10% of total school days.
  4. Campus Safety: Fully comply with campus security guidelines, including on-time return from Open Lunch and scanning your ID upon re-entry.

Warning for Next School Year (2027–2028) - What this means for students: All rising 11th and 12th graders must maintain strong attendance during Marking Period 4 (Spring 2027) to be eligible for parking and Open Lunch privileges at the start of the 2027–2028 school year! Remember, these are earned privileges, not rights. 

Resources: 

Maryland State Department of Education- COMAR 13A.08.01.05 Student Attendance Policy 

Montgomery County Public Schools- JEA-RA - MCPS Policies & Regulations