Attendance Matters

Students who have been absent must present a written excuse from the parent or guardian within three (3) days. The three-day period begins on the day the student returns to school. All absences require a doctor’s note and/or a parent’s written note.

The reasons could include the following:

• The parent absence note was not turned in to the attendance clerk within 3 school days after the students return to school after an illness.  
• The student's absence was due to a reason not considered excused by State guidelines and/or District policy. 
• The student's absence may have required a doctor’s note to be excused due to excessive absences resulting in a violation of the 90% Rule. 
• You must provide written documentation for your child’s absence.  A phone call alone will not suffice.  
• If you still have questions, or you believe there is an error with your child's attendance record, please contact the campus attendance office or your child's assistant principal.  

Discuss the concern with your student and verify this information with your child’s teacher.  If these steps do not resolve your concern, contact the attendance clerk at your child’s school.  

If you cannot afford to take your child to a doctor or clinic, please call your school nurse who can assist you with resources.  

The Texas State Compulsory Attendance Law requires students aged 6 through 19 to attend school. Section 25.085 requires students to go to school each school day for the entire school day unless exempted by law. This requirement includes students who have voluntarily enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten and students who are 19 or older.

Students who violate this law may receive referrals for court proceedings against the parent, guardian or student to enforce the law.

We are sure you are aware of how important it is that your child receive a quality education. However, you may be unaware that under the laws of the State of Texas it is your duty as the parent/guardian to monitor your child’s attendance and make sure he/she attends school each and every day, for the full instructional day. This also includes ensuring the student arrives to school on time, attends each class period and avoid as much as possible early releases/pick-ups from school unless there is an extreme emergency.

When a student is absent from school Parents/Guardians should submit a written explanation, also known as an excuse note, to the school. This should be done within three school days following the student’s return to school.

Automated phone calls will be placed to parents or guardians notifying them when a student has been marked absent. It is the parent’s or guardian’s responsibility to ensure that they provide current and up-to-date contact information to the school.

The school district will also provide attendance information on a child’s report card to monitor the student’s school attendance.

If a student has been absent without excuse on three days or parts of three days within a four-week period, the school district shall issue a warning notice to inform the parent of their duty to monitor the student’s school attendance and require the student to attend school; and the student is subject to truancy-prevention measures in addition to other statutory requirements in existence; and a request for a conference between school officials and the parents will be made to discuss the absences.

The Texas State Compulsory Attendance Law, Section 25.085, requires all enrolled students to attend school on time, all day, every day school is in session.

The Cedar Hill Independent School District requires an explanation note to excuse an absence. Parents or guardians will receive a warning letter from the school when a student has been absent without an excuse three times for any part of the day in a four-week period.

Students who violate the law may receive a referral for court proceedings against the parent or guardian and the student to enforce the law. Students over the age of 19 may be withdrawn by the school for excessive unexcused absences.