Parent Portal Menu

Health Desk/Attendance

Daily Absences

If your student will be absent, please notify Health Coordinator Michelle Ayres by 8:50 a.m., the start of the school day, via:

  • Phone: 813-251-8481 ext. 4031
  • Email: health@tampaprep.org

Attendance Policy Summary

  • Tampa Prep does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences.
  • A student is either marked present or absent for the day.
  • School-related absences (e.g., athletic events, field trips, fine arts performances) do not count against a student’s attendance record.

Attendance Tracking

Attendance is tracked by individual class period, not by the full day:

  • Upper School: 1 full-day absence = 7 absences
  • Middle School: 1 full-day absence = 6 absences

Attendance concerns should be directed to:

  • The student’s Advisor
  • The Dean of Students (Upper School)
  • The Head of Middle School

Planned Absences

For planned absences involving 3 or more class periods (e.g., school-sponsored trips, religious observances, college visits, major family events), students must:

  1. Pick up a Planned Absence Form from the Health Desk.
  2. Visit each teacher for assignment details and signatures.
  3. Obtain signatures from a parent and an Upper School Administrator or Head of Middle School.
  4. Return the completed form to the Health Desk.

Tardiness & Late Arrivals

  • Students arriving after 8:50 a.m. must check in at the Health Desk.
  • Students arriving during the first half of the first period will be marked tardy.
  • Students arriving after the first half of the first period will be marked absent for that class.

Excused Tardies include:

  • A valid doctor or dental note
  • Occasional traffic-related delays (approved if a large portion of the student body is affected)

Families are encouraged to build extra time into morning routines to ensure punctuality and reduce academic disruption.

Leaving Campus Early

Parent Notification

  • Dismissal requests must be made via email or phone to the Health Coordinator by 1:30 p.m. by a parent. Students may not call on their own behalf.
  • All students must check out at the Health Desk before leaving campus and pick up their dismissal pass.
  • Students will meet parents/guardians in front of the Genshaft Greenbaum Building.
  • A dismissal pass is required and must be presented to Security.
  • Exceptions for after the 1:30 p.m. cutoff are made for medical emergencies or urgent family matters.

Recurring Early Dismissals

  • Must be approved by the Head of Upper or Middle School
  • Requires a doctor’s note or other official documentation

After-School Participation

Students who are absent or tardy for any part of the academic day may not participate in after-school activities without prior approval from:

  • The Dean of Students (Upper School), or
  • The Head of Middle School

Appointments During School Hours

Parents should try to schedule appointments outside of class time.

  • Notify the Health Coordinator in advance of morning or afternoon appointments
  • Students must provide a doctor’s or dental note when they check in after their morning appointment.
    • Afternoon appointments: bring the note the following school day

Student Health & Medication

Feeling Ill at School

  • Students must report to the Health Desk before contacting parents.
  • The Health Coordinator can administer approved over-the-counter medications for minor issues (headache, upset stomach, etc.).
  • All medications are administered based on parent approvals in Magnus Health.
  • If a student has a fever or appears seriously ill, a parent will be contacted to pick them up.

Prescription Medications

All prescription medications:

  • Must be in the original pharmacy-labeled container
  • Must include doctor’s instructions
  • Will be stored in a labeled zip-top bag with name and expiration date
  • Refrigerated medications will be secured in a locked infirmary fridge

Parents will be notified when medications are near expiration.

End-of-Year Medication Pick-Up

  • All prescriptions must be picked up by the last day of school
  • Unclaimed medications will be safely discarded

Elevator Use Policy

  • Students may not use the elevator without special permission.
  • Temporary access is granted by the Health Coordinator for injuries.
  • For access beyond one day, a doctor’s note is required.

Unauthorized elevator use may lead to disciplinary action.

For more detailed information on these topics, please refer to the Guide for Academics and Student Life.