Policy on Dismissal from School (taken from page 24 of the 2023-2024 FHS Student Handbook)

DISMISSALS FROM SCHOOL 

Dismissal from school may be granted for medical reasons or home emergencies at the discretion of the School Administration. Medical appointments should be scheduled outside school hours whenever possible.

Dismissals will be allowed for the following reasons:

• Medical appointments

• Court or social service appointment

• Family emergency (undocumented)

• Family bereavement

• Family vacation or family obligation (undocumented)

• Representation of Franklin High School in a school-related activity.

• Illness – as approved by the school nurse and/or administration (undocumented)

• Unusual circumstance deemed appropriate by the assistant principal (may be documented or undocumented per assistant principal) 

Upon returning to school, students must present documentation for the dismissal to their Administrative Office.  Parents/Guardians and students should be aware that dismissals without documentation will count as undocumented absences for missed classes. Furthermore, per the attendance policy, dismissals due to family vacations, attendance, family obligations or illness (without a doctor’s visit) will count as undocumented absences for missed classes. Students shall have 7 days from the date of return to document the dismissal.  

To obtain a dismissal slip, a student must bring a note signed by their parent or guardian requesting permission to leave school starting time, date, and reason for dismissal. Dismissal notes must also include the name and location of the doctor, and a telephone number where a parent may be reached during the school day. Students dismissed for medical reasons must be dismissed through the school nurse.  Students dismissed for non-medical reasons may be dismissed through their assistant principal.

Students who drive themselves home will be allowed to do so at the discretion of the nurse in charge AND with written) parental permission.  If a student is deemed unsafe to drive by the nurse due to the nature of the illness or injury, a parent/guardian or emergency contact will be asked to pick the student up.

Dismissal Notes Must Be Confirmed Through Contact With A Parent Prior To The Student Leaving School. Parents/guardians Are Encouraged To Call Or Email Their Child’s Administrative House Office In The Morning On The Day Of This Dismissal To Confirm The Note. If This Contact Is Not Made, The School Must Contact The Parent By Phone Prior To Allowing The Student To Leave.

Dismissal notes should be brought to their Administrative House Office before the FIRST period. After administrative approval, the student will be issued a dismissal pass which will, in turn, be shown to the teacher at the time of dismissal, and the student will bring the pass to the Main Office before leaving the building. Students will NOT be called down from class.

If A Student Has Forgotten Their Dismissal Note Or Requires An Unexpected Dismissal, That Student Will Not Be Dismissed Unless A Parent Or Guardian Comes To The Main Office To Sign A Dismissal Note. For Safety Reasons, Relatives, Neighbors, Or Friends Cannot Be Considered Substitutes For A Parent Or Guardian. The School Cannot Dismiss A Student Without Written Confirmation By Note, Fax Or Email From A Parent, Guardian Or Emergency Contact.

All absence, tardy and dismissal notes must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Notes from relatives, neighbors, or friends cannot and will not be accepted. The only accepted signature on any note will be that of a parent or guardian.

SPECIAL ATTENDANCE ISSUES

Student Not Living with Parent or Guardian

A student who is not living with a parent or guardian is expected to follow all school policies in the same manner as all other students. Notes (to excuse absences, etc.) should be written by an adult member of the household in which the student lives. If the student lives in a situation where no adult authority is present, arrangements regarding attendance and discipline procedures must be set up by means of a meeting of the student and the assistant principal during the week when the independent living situation begins.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Students are expected to fulfill final obligations including the return of all books and other school materials. The last day of school in June is also the final exam make-up day.

FORGED ABSENT NOTE POLICY

The only accepted signature on any absence, tardy or dismissal note will be that of a parent or guardian. A student who forges or alters a parental note or school document (corridor pass, or note, etc.) will receive the following consequences:

• Assignment of a Friday Reflection

• Notification of parent

• Verification of all future notes

• Any further action deemed appropriate by an administrator

STUDENT ABSENCE NOTIFICATION PROGRAM

If the school has not received notification of an absence from a parent within three (3) days of an absence, the school shall notify the parent of the child’s absence.

If a student has at least five (5) days in which they have missed two (2) or more periods unexcused in a school year, or if a student has missed five (5) or more school days unexcused in a school year, the school shall notify the student’s parent/guardian.  For those students who have five (5) or more unexcused absences in a school year, the school principal shall make reasonable efforts to meet with the parent to develop jointly, and with input from other relevant school personnel and officials from relevant state and local agencies, an action plan to improve and ensure the student’s attendance.