For reporting attendance, please use either our online attendance form or our 24/7 automated phone line at 703-503-4800.

How to Report an Absence or Late Arrival 

All-Day Absences Attendance Line 

Parents may call the Attendance Line at 703-503-4800 for all-day absences 

• In the voicemail message or written note, please include the following:
  • Student’s first and last name spelled clearly or slowly;
  • Student ID Number;
  • Specific information regarding reason for absence, including if necessary, illness diagnosis or symptoms and whether or not the student has seen a physician.
• Please indicate whether your child has any of the following symptoms:
  • Feeling feverish or chills
  • Fever greater than or equal to 100.4 F
  • Headache (not due to another health condition, hunger, menstrual cramps stress, or injury)
  • A new cough (not due to another health condition)
  • Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties (not due to diagnosed respiratory condition or if different than normal pattern of chronic condition)
  • A new sore throat (not due to another health condition)
  • Congestion or runny nose (not related to allergies or health condition)
  • Fatigue (more tired than normal or sudden onset)
  • New muscle pain (not due to another health condition or that may have been caused by a specific activity such as physical exercise)
  • New loss of taste, smell, or appetite
  • Abdominal pain (not due to hunger, constipation, injury, or stress)
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• The Parent/Guardian phone number (for verification) and signature must be included on all written notes.
  • Emailed excuses will not be accepted.

Late Arrivals 

Students arriving late after 8:10 AM will be marked unexcused tardy.

• Parents may use our online attendance form to report a partial day absence.
• Please do not call the attendance line for late arrivals. Students must have a handwritten note from a parent or doctor.
• If a student does not have a note, he/she will be marked "unexcused tardy" and must present a note to the Attendance Office within 48 hours for the tardy to be changed to excused.
• In the note, please include the student name, time the student is coming to school, the reason for the tardy, a parent/guardian signature, the student ID, and contact phone number for follow-up.
• Valid tardiness reasons include illness or family emergency
• The following will not be excused: oversleeping, power outages, car trouble, traffic, and missing the bus. Students will be given a pass to enter their assigned class after checking in at the Attendance office.

Tardiness/Unexcused Absences 

Students who are late to class without a valid pass will be recorded as unexcused tardy. Students who miss class without a valid reason or do not follow the procedure will be recorded as unexcused absence. Both of these behaviors may lead to a referral to the Woodson administrative team. 

Early Checkout Procedures 

Students checking out of school early must bring a note to the Attendance office. If the note is for a valid absence the student will be issued a pass to leave class at the appointed time.

• Parents may use our online attendance form to report a partial day absence.
• Every student must sign out through the Attendance Office prior to leaving the building.
• If a student leaves campus without permission or without checking out, they may be subject to disciplinary action.
• Due to staff responsibilities at the end of the day, we are not able to honor unannounced early check-outs within 30 minutes of school dismissals.
• If your student does not have a note, you can come into the main office to provide one. Email notes are not accepted.
• In the check-out note, please include the student name, time the student will leave school, when they will return (if applicable), the reason for the check-out, a parent/guardian signature, the student ID, and contact phone number for follow-up.
• If returning to school that same day, students must check in at the Attendance office before going back to class, even if it is between classes.

Make-up Policy for All Absences 

If your child is sick and will be out of school for more than 3 days (not a prearranged absence), please contact your child’s counselor or the teachers directly if you are requesting school work. Please allow 24 hours for teachers to gather the work. The requested work will be located in the main office for pick up. If your child will be absent less than 3 days, please refer to the teacher’s Schoology site for the homework assignments. If you have any questions or need clarification about assignments, please contact the teachers directly. 

• If an emergency arises that will necessitate an extended absence, please notify Attendance and your student’s counselor.

Pre-Arranged or Extended Absences 

Prearranged Absences: (family, college trips, medical reasons). Student must bring a written notice to the attendance office at least 5 days prior to the intended absence. The student will receive a prearranged absence form for teachers to sign, list the assignments, and due dates. Please include the student's name, dates of absences, and reason for the absence. This would include ending the school year early (within 15 days of the announced last day of school).

Extended Absences: If a student requires long-term medical care, parents should contact their child's school counselor. To find out who your child's counselor is, check the Student Services staff list. 

Check Your Child’s Attendance 

Parents can log into the Student Information System (SIS) Parent Account to view your child's attendance. For additional support with accessing and using the SIS Parent Account visit our SIS Parent Account overview page.