Please complete the WHS Absence Form and submit it along with any required documentation to the Attendance Office within 48 hours of your student’s return to school. For students with three or more absences in a semester, a doctor’s note or legal documentation (in the case of court proceedings) is required.

Additionally, please note a temporary change in our front office attendance procedures:
Students must now bring a physical copy of their attendance notes directly to the front office.

If you have any questions or need assistance regarding attendance, please contact Ms. Jennifer Howell at Jennifer.Howell@ocps.net or visit the front office.

State law requires that written excuses stating the nature of the student’s absence be submitted when a student returns to school. All excuses are to include the date, reason for absence, and need to be signed by the parent/guardian. This information is necessary to minimize the possibility of spreading contagious diseases. In certain instances, a doctor’s release may be required before returning to school.
The Attendance Policy is based on Florida law and requires that when a student accumulates five (5) unexcused absences, the parent/guardian will be notified. When the student accumulates ten (10) unexcused absences, the school must report the student to the social worker. When the student accumulates fifteen (15) days of unexcused absences the student will be reported as a habitual truant.

Absences shall be excused for the following reasons:

1. Illness or injury to the student.
2. Illness or death of a member of the student’s immediate family.
3. Recognized or established religious holidays and/or religious instruction.
4. Medical appointments. (If possible, please schedule late in the day)
5. Participation in an approved activity or class of instruction held at another site.
6. Head lice infestation (up to four days) during the school year.

For questions regarding truancy and attendance, please contact our front office at 407-347-0980