Any attendance (Tardy, Early Dismissal, Absence) questions or concerns can be sent to omhsabsence@hcpss.org.

In your email, please include the following:

• Legal full name of student
• Grade level
• Reason for email (illness, court, appointment, family matter, etc)
• Date student is out of school
• If requesting an Early Dismissal, please note the time and reason and whether your student is returning the same day.
• If noting late arrival, please note the reason.

Local Discretionary Days

The Howard County Public School System can grant students Local Discretionary Days (up to 3) upon request and approval. The Local Discretionary form for such absences to be marked lawful/excused should be submitted at least one week in advance to the attendance secretary.

Examples of such absences that are considered unexcused on a school day include, but are not limited to: 

1. Visits to post-secondary institutions
2. Participation in college orientation programs
3. Scheduled interviews with prospective employers.
4. Special family events, including vacations/trips/travel

Parents/Guardians may access this Local Discretionary form as needed. Students are allotted up to a maxim of three (3) local discretionary days per school year.

If you are requesting a day for a religious holiday not identified by the Howard County Public School System school calendar, please download the Religious Obligation Form and return it to omhsabsence@hcpss.org.