Every Day Counts

Notify your child’s school on the day of the absence. You can submit an absence through ParentVUE or contact the school office for assistance.

Include your child’s name, the date(s) of the absence, and the reason. A written explanation is required within five days of your child’s return to school. Provide supporting documentation when required.

Reporting an absence does not automatically excuse it. School staff will review the information according to NNPS attendance procedures.

Learn how to submit an absence in ParentVUE.

No. A note explains why your child was absent, but it does not automatically excuse the absence. School staff review the reason and any required documentation to determine whether the absence meets NNPS criteria for an excused absence.

If you have questions about how an absence was recorded or what documentation is needed, contact your child's school office.

Chronic absenteeism means missing 10% or more of the school days a student is enrolled, regardless of the reason. This includes excused absences, Unexcused–Truancy (U), Unexcused–Locally Defined (ULD), and suspension-related absences.

For example, a student who misses 6 of 60 school days or 18 of 180 school days meets the chronic absenteeism threshold. Absences do not have to occur consecutively to count. Schools monitor attendance throughout the year and work with families to address barriers and provide support.

A separate Virginia regulation addresses 15 consecutive absences. Under 8VAC20-110-130, a student who is absent for 15 consecutive school days or more must be dropped from the school's enrollment roll and marked "withdrawn." This applies to consecutive absences, whether excused or unexcused- not 15 absences spread throughout the year.

Withdrawal is an enrollment-record requirement; it does not eliminate compulsory attendance obligations or the division's responsibilities to eligible students with disabilities. If your child is experiencing an extended absence, contact the school promptly to discuss support, educational arrangements, and any steps needed to return or reenroll.

Chronic absenteeism means missing 10% or more of the school days a student is enrolled, for any reason- including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. It focuses on the total amount of learning time missed.

Truancy concerns unexcused absences and involves specific attendance procedures to address nonattendance with the student and family.

A student can be chronically absent even if every absence is excused. In either situation, our goal is to work with families to understand barriers, provide support, and help students attend regularly.

Middle and High School Students in High School Credit Classes

A parent/guardian may appeal the decision of the principal by submitting the appeal to the NNPS School Leadership department within 3 days of the receipt of the principal's decision.

Students in grades 8-12 who accrue excessive absences may lose privileges related to attendance at special school events such as school dances or prom, and may lose school parking privileges and off campus passes.

An absence is excused when the reason meets NNPS Attendance Polics & Procedures or applicable Virginia law, with required notification, documentation, or approval. Qualifying reasons include:

• Illness: A physical illness that prevents the student from attending school.

• Chronic or extended illness: An ongoing health condition affecting attendance. NNPS requires an annual Chronic/Extended Illness Notification Form and supporting medical documentation.

• Mental or behavioral health: Absences related to the student’s mental or behavioral health, consistent with VDOE guidance.

• Prearranged appointments: Healthcare appointments or appointments with courts, social services, or other state agencies, with official documentation.

• Family death or emergency: A death in the family or an emergency beyond the family’s control, with notification and documentation.

• Religious observances: Absences for religious holidays, with notification consistent with NNPS procedures.

• Civic engagement: One school day per school year for a middle or high school student to participate in a civic event, subject to applicable notification and documentation requirements.

• Tribal Nation gathering: One excused absence per academic year for a student who belongs to a state- or federally recognized tribal nation headquartered in Virginia to attend that nation’s pow wow, with advance parental notice.

• Military deployment: Five excused absences to visit an immediate family member on active duty who has received orders for, is on leave from, or has recently returned from deployment outside the United States. Written verification may be requested.

• Exceptional circumstances: Absences approved by the principal under the NNPS request process. The posted NNPS procedures permit up to five days per school year in this category. This limit does not apply to all excused absences.

• 4-H educational programs and activities: NNPS permits up to five school days per academic year. Qualifying participation receives special treatment under Virginia law: students are not counted absent for average daily membership purposes and receive course credit as they would for a school field trip, subject to statutory conditions.

• School-directed exclusions or suspensions: These are documented according to the applicable attendance procedures. Families receive notification of the expected return date. These absences should not be treated as unexplained truancy.

Contact your child’s school office with questions about documentation or how an absence will be recorded.

An absence is considered unexcused when it does not meet NNPS criteria for an excused absence. NNPS distinguishes between two categories:

• Unexcused–Truancy (U): The school has not received information indicating that the parent/guardian is aware of and supports the absence. Examples include an unexplained absence or skipping school without parental permission.

• Unexcused–Locally Defined (ULD): The student’s whereabouts are known or the absence is supported by the parent/guardian, but the reason does not qualify as excused under NNPS procedures. An example is a parent-reported family vacation that has not been approved as excused.

Submitting a note does not automatically excuse an absence. School staff review the reason and documentation to determine the appropriate attendance code. Both categories count toward chronic absenteeism.

Contact your child’s school nurse and school administrator as soon as possible so we can work together to support your child’s health, attendance, and learning.

For a condition that affects regular attendance, NNPS requires a Chronic/Extended Illness Notification Form, with supporting documentation from your child’s healthcare provider. Submit the form each school year or when the condition begins. Contact the school office to request the form and guidance on documentation.

Continue reporting absences and explaining when they relate to the documented condition. The school team can help coordinate missed work and discuss additional supports or accommodations your child may need.

• Is a family trip considered an excused absence? (leave response)
• Who can help if my child is struggling to attend?

Start by contacting your child’s teacher, school counselor, or school administrator. They can connect you with the school’s attendance team and staff who can help, including the school nurse, attendance officer, and family engagement staff.

Whether the challenge involves transportation, health, anxiety, school relationships, or family circumstances, we want to understand what is happening and work with you to develop a plan.

You do not need to wait until absences add up to ask for help. Reaching out early helps us support your child’s attendance, learning, and connection to school.

If you notice an incorrect attendance entry in ParentVUE, contact your child's school office or attendance clerk as soon as possible. Provide your child's name, the date and class period involved, if applicable, and an explanation of the error. Include any supporting documentation, such as an absence note or appointment verification.

School staff will review the record, confirm the information with the appropriate staff members, and make any necessary corrections. If you have already submitted a note, let the office know when and how it was submitted.

Check Canvas or Seesaw, as appropriate, and contact your child's teacher to request missed assignments and discuss completion deadlines. Let the teacher know if your child needs help understanding the material or catching up after an extended absence.

For additional support, ask the teacher or school counselor about available tutoring, intervention, or Flexible Instructional Time (FIT) opportunities. School staff can help identify options based on your child's needs and the programs available at the school.