Regular school attendance is essential for the student to make the most of his or her education—to benefit from teacher-led activities, to build each day's learning on that of the previous day, and to grow as an individual.
We ask parents to call us, early, if their child will be absent. An answering machine is available to take your calls before 7:45 a.m. Please call 469–713–5955 with the student’s name, teacher/grade, reason for absence, when the student will return to school, and if you would like to pick up missed work.
Student holidays are indicated on the school calendar. We are making you aware at the beginning of the year, with the suggestion that family vacations should be planned around the designated calendar.
Our goal this year is to improve last year's attendance percentage of 97.25. Please adhere to the school calendar. Let's aim for outstanding attendance!!
Tardies (after 8:00 a.m.)
School gets underway at 7:45; the tardy bell rings at 8:00. Habitual tardies will result in phone calls home and tracking for non-attendance. Tardies are tracked through the sign-in computer. All students entering school after the 8:00 bell are required to sign-in using the computer in the office.
Roll Call (9:30 a.m.)
Students will be considered present if in attendance at 9:30 a.m. Students who are in attendance but leave before 9:30 for a doctor's appointment and then return will be counted present when they return only if they bring a note from the doctor as proof of the visit.
Absence Excuses
Each and every time a student is absent from school, the student—upon returning to school—MUST bring a note signed by the parent which describes the reason for the absence. A note signed by the student, even with the parent's permission, will not be accepted for liability reasons. An excused absence can be deemed unexcused if a note is not sent. Class time is important, therefore, doctor's and dentist’s appointments should be scheduled, if possible, at times when the student will not miss instructional time.
If a student is absent more than three consecutive days, a doctor's note is required upon return. Documentation will be kept. (See also Health Information.).
According to school board policy, Take Your Daughter to Work Day is an unexcused absence with no make-up work permitted. LISD recognizes Take Your Daughter To Work Day in June of each year.
Make-Up Work
A student absent for any reason should promptly make up specific assignments missed and/or complete additional in-depth study assigned by the teacher.
Excused Absences. Make-up work will be given to the student upon return. It must be returned to school for grading within two days. For a lengthy illness (more than one week), the student will have one day per day of illness to complete make-up work. A student who does not make up assigned work within the time allotted by the teacher will receive a grade of zero for the assignment(s).
Unexcused Absences. The make-up work will be given after the absence so the student can keep up with the class.
A student absent from school for any reason other than for a documented health care appointment will not be allowed to participate in school-related activities on that day or evening.
Early Release
A student will not be released from school except by parent sign-out in the office. A student who will need to leave school during the day must bring a note from his or her parent that morning to give to the teacher. A student who becomes ill during the school day should, with the teacher's permission and health room pass, report to the school nurse. The nurse will decide whether or not the student should be sent home and will notify the student's parent. Only people listed on the student’s enrollment card are allowed to check out a student. These cards are checked prior to releasing a student. Please be prepared to show proper identification.
Attendance Requirements
In Texas, it is state law that a student between the ages of 6 and 18 must attend school and District-required tutorial sessions unless the student is otherwise legally exempted or excused. School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent without permission from school for 3 or more days within a 4 week period, or from required tutorials, will be considered truant; parents will be notified and subject to disciplinary action. Truancy may also result in assessment of penalty by a court of law against the student and his or her parents. Students enrolled in kindergarten will attend school.
Special Education
Please refer to LISD Board Policy FDG and EED regarding Special Education students having to fulfill a seven-hour day as outlined in the ARD.
90% Attendance Rule
A student and the student’s parent or guardian shall be given written notice prior to and at such time when a student’s attendance in any class drops below 90 percent of the days that class is offered. On the 19 th day of absence the principal will decide if the absences resulted from legitimate circumstances and/or did not adversely impact the student’s educational progress. If not excused a hearing may be required and a letter will be sent stating the child has been retained. Credit may be awarded by submitting written petition to the appropriate attendance committee.
Notification of Parents
For tardies and unexcused absences, the school shall notify a student’s parent in writing if, in a six-week period, the student has been absent or tardy without an excuse 5 times for any part of the day. Parents will also be notified if a student has been tardy or absent without an excuse for 10 days, or parts of days, within a semester. The parent and/or student (10 yrs. of age or older) is subject to prosecution. Schools are required, by law, to notify parents.
Inclement Weather
In the event of bad weather, when in the opinion of the superintendent weather conditions are too hazardous for safe operation, schools will not be open. This judgment will be made by 6:30 a.m. The decision will be released to the news media by the Office of the Superintendent after thorough inspections of all bus routes are made. Should the decision be made to close the schools, it will be reported to radio stations and television channels:
TV Channels |
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Radio Stations |
4 (KDFW) |
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KWRD (94.9 FM) |
KLIF (570 AM) |
5 (KXAS) |
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KPLX (99.5 FM) |
WBAP (820 AM) |
8 (WFAA) |
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KVIL (103.7 FM) |
KRLD (1080 AM) |
11 (KTVT) |
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KHKS (106.1 FM) |
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If a decision for a late start is made, school will begin at 9:30 a.m. and morning buses will run 1½ hours later than normal.
Withdrawal from School
A parent wishing to withdraw a student from school must present a signed request to the attendance clerk stating the reason for the withdrawal and the effective date. This request should be done twenty-four hours in advance to provide the office sufficient time to process the paperwork.
