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Excused Absences

Texas Education Code 25.087  ~  Excused Absences

 

Absences that are considered EXCUSED (with a parent or doctor's note) under Texas State Law:

 

When a student is absent, the parent must provide a note that explains the reason for the absence within 3 school days after the student returns to school.  Absence notes must include the students full name, ID number, and the reason for the absence.  The specific reasoning for the absence is needed to appropriately code the absence according to guidelines established in the Texas Education Code.  If no documentation is provided, the absence is considered unexcused. 

 

ALL GRADE LEVELS

 

  • Religious holy days (festivals, ceremonies, etc. are not excused)
  • Required court appearances
  • Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship or taking part in a United States naturalization oath ceremony (for the student)
  • Service as an election clerk
  • Documented healthcare appointments for the student or a child of the student (a  note from the healthcare provider must be submitted upon the student’s return to campus)
  • Students in the custody of the state
  • Mental Health or therapy appointments
  • Court ordered family visitations, or any other court ordered activity, provided it is not practicable to schedule the student’s participation in the activity outside of school hour
  • Visit with parent or guardian called to duty

 

SECONDARY GRADE LEVELS

 

  • College visits and visits for attending the workplace of a job or career that interests them. Juniors and Seniors Only (2 days per year)

College Visit Form

  • Pursuing enlistment in a branch of the US Armed Forces
  • Student serving as a voting or election clerk
  • Student participating in sounding Taps for military honors

 

 

Absences that are considered EXCUSED (with a parent or doctor's note) under District Policy:

 

  • Personal illness of the student

 

  • Healthcare appointment (doctor, dentist, etc.) with appropriate documentation
    • If a student attends school for a portion of the school day, and attends a healthcare appointment on this same school day AND provides appropriate documentation, the student will receive credit for attending the whole day.

 

  • Death of an immediate family member with appropriate documentation

 

  • School official sent student home from school (Nurse, Counselor, LSSP, Administrator)

 

  • UIL Activities

 

  • School-sponsored curricular or extracurricular activities

 

Parent notes must be turned in or emailed to the school's attendance clerk no later than three school days after the child returns to school. The three-day period begins with the day the student returns to school.