Every year, students and staff hear a lot about academic goals and progress, but did you know that attendance goals and progress are equally important to FCPS?

Every week, Principal Nancy Doll publishes LHS progress toward the annual attendance goal. The annual target is 96% present, the current progress to toward that goal is sometimes higher or lower, depending on the month.  

Mrs. Jennifer Twiford and Mrs. Judi Hardister are the keepers of the attendance, and their jobs affects every student in the school.

Twiford is normally at the attendance window. Because they see many of the same students every week, the ladies often catch up with students and talk about their classes.

“My favorite part is getting to talk to the kids. That’s fun for me,” said Twiford. Payton Twiford, her daughter, is a freshman at LHS.  

 If a student misses more than 5 (unexcused) days in a term or 10 (unexcused) days in a semester, that can result in failing a class. Here is the official information on attendance.

Hardister and Twiford start their day at the busiest time: 7:15 until 8:50. Since school doesn’t start until 7:25, the time before class is when most students will hand in their notes saying that they are leaving early or why they were absent the previous day (to make an excused absence).

As school starts, more people come in and hand in notes saying why they came in late.

Twiford will most likely be the one who gives a student a late slip.

According to Twiford, there are about 6-15 people a day who come into school late. There are many excuses for coming in late, but the most common one is not feeling well, or, for upperclassmen, their cars wouldn’t start.

One of Linganore’s saying is “Attendance matters” and, to be honest, it does.

“We get the funniest and craziest calls. I don’t like the sad stuff, though,” said Twiford.

Throughout their day, they help the students that most people don’t even realize. For example if a student is leaving early, they are the ones who write the passes. The generate class cuts for students who skip.  

Not only that but they are responsible for taking care of your absences or late notes. They make sure students don’t miss more than five days so you don’t fail a class you need to graduate.

Next time you hand in a note, make sure to stop and say hi as well!