Attendance Policy Updates

 For example, if a student has 10 medical days but only 1 parent note day, could the parent submit a parent note for 2 of the medical days bringing the medical days down to 8 so that the student does not have to make up 2 days of seat time?

The answer is yes. For example, if a high school student has 8 medical notes and 3 parent notes, totaling 11 excused days, the student will only have 3 additional parent notes available. Also, as a reminder, regardless of the reason for the student’s absence, they MUST make up the work they missed on the days they were absent.

At the high school level, our current practice is to host attendance make-up days for students who exceed the number of allowable missed days. At some middle and high schools, missed days/missed assignments are made up during a student’s free time, such as during their lunch period. HCS will explore options to offer Summer extended learning to more students, including those students who do not meet the attendance requirements.

No. Schools will not accept parent notes during state testing

No. we reduced the number of accepted medical notes from 10 to 8 because we were getting dangerously close to approving enough days that we are endorsing chronic absenteeism. For example, if a student misses 10 approved days for medical notes, 6 approved days for parent notes, and 3 non-consecutive unexcused days, he/she will have missed 19 days of school and will not have an AIP. This means the student may be deemed chronically absent and not have an AIP. (Recommendation – change it to 7 medically excused days before they must make up seat time.)

Yes. A parent has up to 3 days upon the student’s return to submit medical notes or a parent-excused note. A parent may also submit a parent-excused note prior to the absence. These notes may be delivered in person to the school or sent to the attendance clerk via email.

No. Parents need to submit a note to the school when a student misses for a religious holiday. The parent may submit the note in advance or within 3 days after the date the absence occurs.

HCS encourages all parents to utilize the parent portal to monitor grades and attendance.

For example, if a pediatrician writes a note to keep my daughter home for 4 days or until she is fever-free for 24 hours, and I send her back after 3 days, will the school call to tell me she cannot be in school that day because the doctor put 4 days on the excuse?

If a student is fever-free for 24 hours, he/she may return to school prior to the return date on the medical note. HCS will ensure administrators and data quality clerks are aware of this practice.

Parents are encouraged to NOT schedule any appointments at the same time of day every visit. Example: A student has a doctor’s appointment every Thursday morning for eight weeks. This means the student has eight medically excused absences for this part of the day. If a student continues to miss every Thursday morning for the next six weeks, the parent may use parent excuses. If a child continues to miss the same time for subsequent weeks, those absences will be unexcused. However, if a parent changes the appointment to the afternoon, the child may continue to be medically excused for eight weeks and parent-excused for six weeks for that afternoon time period.

Students may submit as many medical notes as needed. However, after 8 full days of medically excused absences, the student will be required to make up missed instructional time. For context:

• In our high schools, which operate on a 4x4 block schedule, this equates to up to 32 blocks of medically excused time before recovery is necessary.
• In middle schools, students attend 6 blocks per day, so there’s flexibility in how the absences are measured, especially if they are partial-day.
• In addition to the medical notes, parents may submit 6 parent notes that will automatically be excused. These may cover full or partial days.
• Combined, these allow a student to be absent for up to 14 days without triggering intervention, giving families space to care for routine illness or appointments.

HCS is not limiting the number of medical excuses; however, students will be required to make up both the work and the seat-time for any medical excused days over 8 days. By making up the time and work, students will be able to be academically successful.

No. Since we are not limiting the number of medical excuses that are submitted, there was no reason to include medical professionals.

(Same answer as Question #10) Students may submit as many medical notes as needed. However, after 8 full days of medically excused absences, the student will be required to make up missed instructional time. For context:

• In our high schools, which operate on a 4x4 block schedule, this equates to up to 32 blocks of medically excused time before recovery is necessary.
• In middle schools, students attend 6 blocks per day, so there’s flexibility in how the absences are measured, especially if they are partial-day.
• In addition to the medical notes, parents may submit 6 parent notes that will automatically be excused. These may cover full or partial days.
• Combined, these allow a student to be absent for up to 14 days without triggering intervention, giving families space to care for routine illness or appointments.

If a student becomes ill at school and the school nurse believes the student should leave school, the partial absence will be coded as SC-NUR, as it has in the past. The missed time will be excused. 

There have been no attendance changes to students who were in court or were absent because of a death in the family.

Students who suffer from chronic medical conditions are encouraged to apply for intermittent homebound. A student who is approved for intermittent homebound may miss up to 2.5 days per week, if necessary. A student who is approved for intermittent homebound will have access to a teacher for up to 1 hour per day for every day missed. Intermittent homebound will allow the student to miss school for documented illnesses while remaining active in the learning environment.

There have been no attendance changes to students who were approved for a college visit. As a reminder, eleventh-grade students are allowed one college visit day, and twelfth-grade students are allowed two college visit days. Parents may also utilize parent-excused absences for college visits.

If a student has evident marks on their body that indicate self-harm, the crisis protocol team should include the nurse to determine if medical assistance is needed. If the nurse indicates that medical assistance is needed, the attendance code should be marked SC-NUR. If medical assistance is not needed and the parent asks to take the student home, then it should be coded as a parent excuse. If the student can stay at school, then they should stay at school. The school should also recommend counseling services for the student.