Parents/guardians may submit a student absence using one of these three methods:

• 703-660-8383

• [email protected]

• Online Attendance Form

Students form important habits early, as they begin to develop the responsibility to come to school on time and be prepared and ready to learn. Parents or guardians need to encourage good habits like sleep and eating and study habits so that students are ready to learn. Teachers, administrators, counselors, and other support professionals can help students adjust to routines, learn expectations, and develop academic and social competence.

Virginia State Law

Virginia requires that all children between the ages of five and eighteen be enrolled in school and attend on a daily basis. Any student who fails to report to school for a total of five scheduled school days (unexcused) for the school year may be referred to a school attendance officer for further action. When a referral is received, the school attendance officer will attempt to interview the student, parent, and other relevant parties to develop a plan to resolve the attendance issue. A student who is absent from school for 15 consecutive days or more is withdrawn from school and must officially register again upon his or her return to school.An excused absence is one for which parents/guardians have prior knowledge, consent, and a legitimate reason.  According to School Board Regulation 2234, after the fifth unexcused absence, the school is to refer the student to the attendance officer.

Parents or guardians should call the attendance line at 703.660.8383 in the morning before attendance is taken, to let the school know of any tardiness or absence. At Belle View, attendance is checked daily at 9:30 a.m. We will communicate quickly with parents or guardians when a student does not come to school as expected. Parents should receive calls and emails within 30 minutes via an automated attendance calling system.

Dental and Medical

Dental and medical appointments are excused; however, we ask that such appointments be kept to a minimum during the instructional day. If a child must leave early for a medical or dental appointment, parents are requested to send a note in advance and must sign the child out in the office at the appropriate time. To protect instructional time, students will not be called to the office until a parent arrives at school to pick them up. Please allow sufficient time for your child to get to the office in order for you to arrive on time to your scheduled appointment.

Unexcused Absence

Absences for family and student vacations are unexcused. Students are responsible for completing any missed assignments. Teachers will provide the student and parent or guardian with missed work but are not obligated to provide assignments prior to family or student vacations.

Tardy Student Arrival

Tardy students arriving at school late must first report to the office for correction of attendance records. Car riders arriving tardy should be accompanied into the office by a parent/guardian. The first bell rings at 9:05 a.m. Teachers begin the instructional day at 9:10 a.m. Students who arrive after that time will be marked tardy. Students who are repeatedly tardy in a school year will have a letter placed in their school file. If the student continues to be tardy a meeting with the principal, counselor, student, and parent will be held to discuss the situation.

Release of Student

If a child must leave early, parents are requested to send a note in advance and must sign the child out in the office at the appropriate time. The note should specify the name of the adult picking up the child if it is not the parent. To protect instructional time, students will not be called to the office until a parent arrives at school to pick them up. Please allow sufficient time for your child to get to the office and for you to arrive on time to your scheduled appointment.

We will not release any child to any adult other than the parent/guardian or persons listed on the emergency care form. Students may be released to either parent unless prohibited by a court order. If restricted custody has been legally established, a parent must furnish a copy of the custody order to be kept on file in the school office.