NO EARLY DISMISSAL AFTER 3:10PM

NO PHONE DISMISSAL ON TESTING DAYS

If you know in advance that your child will be leaving school early, SEND A NOTE to school with your child.  Your child should bring your dismissal note to the Attendance Office before school or between classes.  Your child will receive an early dismissal pass from the Attendance Office, allowing him/her to leave class and simply meet you at your car (or drive him/herself).

An early dismissal note must include:

• • Student’s FULL NAME (no nicknames)
  • Parent’s name and phone number (for verification)
  • Parent’s signature
  • Date and EXACT TIME of dismissal (no time “ranges”)

If you fail to send a note with your student, please allow up to one hour for your child to be dismissed.  The class schedule of our entire student population, school security practices, and competing priorities create delays with unplanned dismissals.

If your student develops an illness at school, he/she has the option to visit our FMHS nurse.  Our nurse will examine your student, and (when appropriate) will:

• • obtain a pass for early dismissal from the Attendance Office
    • absence may be “excused” or “unexcused” depending on our nurse’s diagnosis
  • contact a parent using the contact information on file for your student

During student testing or exams, students will NOT be dismissed early by phone calls.  All early dismissals during testing or exam days must be arranged with a student note or in-person parent visit to the Attendance Office.

Students MUST be given a pass from the Attendance Office before leaving school early.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

EXCUSES and NOTES -

When your student returns to school following an absence, he/she should turn any excuse/note in to FMHS Attendance Office within (5) school days.

In order for a tardy/absence to be classified as “excused”, the tardy/absence must meet the criteria outlined in our FMHS Student Handbook.  Click HERE for online version.

TARDIES or LATE ARRIVALS -

Upon arriving late, students MUST sign in with the Attendance Office.  Any arrival to school after 1st block tardy bell will require a pass from the Attendance Office.

Students who exceed (3) unexcused tardies in a semester will be directed to ISS (In School Suspension) until the bell rings for the next block.

RETURNING TO SCHOOL LATER THE SAME DAY –

Any student who was dismissed early and returns to school later the same day, MUST provide a written excuse that is consistent with FMHS Attendance Policy outlined in our Student Handbook.

ATTENDANCE OFFICE -

FMHS has (2) Attendance Offices – (1) dedicated to 9th graders, and (1) dedicated to 10th – 12th graders.

Both attendance offices are located near the car rider drop-off line

• • 9th grade – in “R” wing front offices with 9th grade administration
  • 10th – 12th grade – in FMHS front offices with 10th – 12th grade administration

REQUEST FOR APPEAL OF CREDIT DENIAL –

As a reminder, any student with more than five unexcused absences for a class will be given an “F” for the class.

Parents may appeal the failing grade if some absences are due to unavoidable mitigating circumstances.  In order to be eligible for appeal, the student must have a passing grade in the class, have fewer than ten absences, and provide documentation of any mitigating circumstances.

Administration will hear appeals for credit denial.  Parents not happy with the decision shall have the right to appeal to the District Hearing Officer.

Please refer to the Student Handbook on the Fort Mill High School website for more information.  Click HERE.

Melissa Garrison                                                        Karen Adams

Attendance – 10th – 12th                                           Attendance/Receptionist – 9th

Garrisonmd@fortmillschools.org                                AdamsK@fortmillschools.org