Principal removes three-day limit on college visit days

This year, Principal Renay Johnson led a decision to remove the three-day limit on excused absences for student college visits. Under the new policy, students from all grade levels can take more than three days off for visits and still be excused from classes as long as their absence numbers are within reason.

To ensure that students don't abuse the "unlimited" visit days, Blair still requires that students present a note from a parent or guardian at least 24 hours before their absence. Students must also present some form of proof from the school they visit, whether through a tour email or follow-up email. Johnson and other Blair administrators made the change as part of an effort to align high school attendance policies across Montgomery County Public Schools, according to attendance secretary Roxane Fus. "Different high schools had different college excuse policies [set by] principals. This is to regulate [the policy] among all high schools," Fus said.

Specific information about the changes to the college visit policy can be found on page 11 of the Blair student planbook.