Attendance Policy

Mater Innovation Academy abides by the MDCPS Student Attendance Reporting Procedures. Mater Brickell Academy students are expected to:

Be present at school every day
Attend class as scheduled
Arrive at school on time and be seated in class by the ringing of the bell
Demonstrate appropriate behavior and a readiness to learn
Students are to be counted in attendance only if they are present for at least two (2) hours of the school day

Excused Absences

School Board Rule 6Gx13-5A-1.041, Student Attendance - Specific responsibilities define Excused School

Absence as:

Student Illness
Students missing 5 or more consecutive days of school due to illness or injury must provide a written statement from a healthcare provider. The written statement must include all days the student has been absent from school.
A maximum of 10 parent-written student absence notes are accepted per school year. All additional absence notes must come from a medical provider.
Medical Appointment
Death in Family
Observance of a religious holiday or service when it is mandated for all members of a faith that such a holiday or service be observed
School-sponsored event or educational enrichment activity
Outdoor Suspensions
Other individual student absences beyond the control of the parent/guardian or student as determined and approved by the principal or the principal’s designee. The principal shall require documentation related to the condition.

Any absence that does not fall into one of the above-excused absence categories is to be considered

unexcused. Any student who has been absent from school will be marked as an unexcused absence until

written documentation is submitted as specified above. Failure to provide required documentation within

three (3) days upon the return to school will result in an unexcused absence. Teachers are not required to

provide make-up work for unexcused absences.

Unexcused absences include:

Absences due to vacations, personal services, local non-school events, programs, or sporting activity
Absences due to older students providing daycare services for siblings
Absences due to illnesses of others
Absences due to non-compliance with immunization requirements (unless lawfully exempted)

Mater Brickell Academy Attendance Review Committee (ARC) will schedule a parent meeting for any student

who accumulates 10 or more unexcused absences. A Student Case Management Referral Form will be issued

to document actions taken to prevent continued absences. Documentation will be filed in the student’s folder.

In addition, Mater Brickell Academy follows Miami Dade County Public Schools' truancy procedures.