A Few Reminders about Compulsory Attendance
When illnesses occur, parents are asked to email our Attendance Clerk, Kristin McComber, at (kristin.mccomber@nisdtx.org) each day the student is absent. We do require something in writing to excuse an absence. This can be an email, a hand written note from the parent/guardian, or a doctor note. Please include student name, date of absence(s), and reason for absence.
The campus may excuse up to six absences per school year with parent notes, after which a doctor's note will be required to excuse additional absences. Please note that unless the absence is for a statutorily allowed reason under compulsory attendance laws, the district is not required to excuse any absence, even if the parent provides a note explaining the absence.
If a student has a medical appointment, and attends school for any part of the same day, they will be counted present for the day once the medical note is turned in.
Also, per the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct:
1. Upon any student absence, an automated phone call will go to the parent/guardian the same day.
2. Upon the student's return, he or she will have three school days to provide a note of excuse for any absence to the school's attendance clerk. [See Board Policy FEA(LEGAL) for a list of approved absences.]
3. Upon the third unexcused absence in a four-week period, a Truancy Warning and Request for Conference Letter will be mailed to the parent at the home address on record with the school, and Truancy Prevention Measures will be implemented by the campus principal or assistant principal.
4. If a student accrues ten unexcused absences in a six-month period, and the school determines the truancy prevention measures are not working, a truancy referral will be sent to the appropriate authority, unless the student is eligible for one of the four exceptions under the law.
A child is in violation of compulsory attendance when a child has unexcused, voluntary absences on:
1. Ten or more days or parts of day within a six-month period; or
2. Three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.
When a student violates or is nearing violation of these provisions, the campus may mandate that a doctor’s note be required to excuse future absences or advise the parent that the Campus Health Coordinator is available to verify the illnesses.
In addition, when a student exceeds five (5) consecutive, or a total of eight (8) cumulative absences in any six-month period for personal illness, the principal may notify the parent/guardian that a doctor’s note is required to excuse absences. Board Policy FEA (LEGAL/LOCAL)
