Attendance Guidelines
Department Overview
Attendance, Absences, and Tardies
School attendance is an important part of student success and achievement. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student's mastery of academic skills; therefore, the student and parent/guardians should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences and tardies.
Excused Absences
With documentation, the following are considered legitimate reasons for excused absences:
- Personal Illness
- Illness or death in the immediate family
- Medical or dental appointments
On the day of an Absence
Please call the school to notify the office when your student will be absent. 830-257-2210
After an Absence
Upon returning to school after an absence, the student must bring a note signed by the parent or guardian that describes the reason for the absence.
Excessive Absences
A court of law may impose penalties against both the student and his or her parents if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. A complaint against the parent may be filed in court if the student:
- Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, or
- Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.
If a student has established a questionable pattern of absences, the attendance committee can require a physician's or clinic's statement of illness after a single day's absence.
If there is a question concerning whether or not an absence is acceptable, please call the assistant principal, Mrs.Davila, at 830-257-2210.
TARDIES
Our expectation for all students is that they arrive to school by First Bell 7:35 a.m. and no later than the Tardy Bell at 7:45am.
- This allows our students extra time to put away supplies and start the day unhurried.
- Being on time:
+Teaches the student responsibility
+Eliminates unnecessary class disruptions
+Allows the teacher to begin instruction immediately with no loss of time.
Students will be counted tardy if they are not in their classroom by 7:45 a.m.We will be requiring parents and guardians to come into the office to sign students in after 7:45am Tardy Bell-no drop-offs allowed.
Students who are consistently tardy will be assigned to make up the loss of educational time from 7:15 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.
ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES Q&A
Q: If my child arrives at 10:01 a.m., will he be counted absent:
A: Yes, the student was not present at school by 10:00 a.m.
Q: If my child arrives after 10:00 a.m. with a medical note verifying that he was at an appointment, will he be counted absent?
A: No, since you provided a medical note, your child's absences will be considered "Medical" and will not be applied to the tardy policy.
Q: If my child arrives at 8:30 a.m. due to oversleeping will he be counted tardy?
A: Yes, this is considered tardy and will be applied to the tardy policy.
Q: Do I have to provide a note for all absences:
A: Yes, a note is necessary in order for the absence to be considered excused.
Q: If my child is eating breakfast in the cafeteria when the 7:45 a.m. bell rings, will he be counted tardy?
A: Yes, this is considered tardy because the student is not in their classroom at 7:45 a.m.
Q: How do I report an absence?
A: Call the office on the day of an absence at (830) 257-2210, and send a note with the student upon returning to school.