Regular school attendance is critical for academic success. Our goal is to ensure that every student attends school regularly and on time. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. For example, by 9th grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates. Parents play a key role in making sure students understand why attendance is so important for success in school. We know that some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. However, when we give out academic awards at the end of the school year many times the students receiving academic awards are the same students receiving an award for perfect attendance.

What are excused and unexcused absences?
Excused absences are when school-age students are absent from school with a valid excuse and parental approval. Examples of these absences include:

• Student illness (After the sixth parent note you will need a doctor’s note);
• Death in a student’s immediate family;
• Necessity for a student to attend a judicial proceeding as a plaintiff, defendant, witness, or juror;
• Observance of religious holiday;
• Temporary school closings due to weather or emergencies; and
• Medical reasons (a doctor’s note is required.
• Remember parents may write up to six parent notes for each semester.

Unexcused absences are when school-age students are absent from school without a valid excuse.
When a student returns to school after an absence a note should be sent to the attendance

office. The note should include the date(s) of the absence and reason. A doctor’s note should be provided if required. Student absences without notes will be marked unexcused. Students may not receive the opportunity to make up missed assignments when they have unexcused absences.

Finally, students who miss school miss out on carefully planned sequences of instruction. They also miss out on active learning experiences and class participation. They miss out on the opportunity to ask questions. They are more likely to fall behind and drop out.
At A. Quinn Jones Center For Excellence, we expect our students to attend school every day.

Additional information on attendance can be viewed on the district website.