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Attendance matters for success in school and in life, and absences can easily add up to academic trouble.
At HISD, missing more than 10 percent (or 17 days) of school a year can lead to a student not receiving a grade or being retained, but more importantly, it represents lost time in the classroom and a lost opportunity to learn.
- A child is considered chronically absent if they miss two or more days a month. That includes unexcused and excused absences.
- Attendance matters as early as kindergarten. Studies show that children who miss too many days in kindergarten and first grade have trouble mastering reading.
- By grade 6, chronic absence is a proven warning sign that a student is at risk of dropping out.
- By grade 9, good attendance can predict graduations rates even better than eighth-grade test scores.
- Attendance also affects a school’s budget. When students miss class, their campus’ average daily attendance rate drops, which can reduce the funding it receives to support its programs.
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Cynthia Vazquez - Student Information Representative
My role is to support our South Early students by making sure they stay on track on their attendance and parents are also aware of their child’s attendance.Students who have been absent or tardy must present a written excuse from the parents or guardian when they return to school.
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Excuses for absences and tardies are:
- Personal illness
- Sickness or death in the family
- Quarantine
- Weather or road conditions making travel dangerous
- Participation in school activities with permission of the principal
- Juvenile court proceeding documented by a probation officer
- Approved college visitation
- Emergencies
- Religious holidays
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In the case of ANY absence
Excuse notes must be turned in to the attendance office within three days of returning to school. All notes must contain the following:
- Student's full legal name and school ID number
- Date(s) of absence and the date the note was written
- Parent name, signature, and contact phone number
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
What if I am absent for a long period of time?
Absences of 5 or more consecutive school days must be excused with a doctor’s note.Why wasn’t my absence excused?
If a student does not check out before leaving campus or sign in upon late arrival OR if excuse notes are turned in for a previous grading cycle (6 weeks) that has ended, an excuse note will not be accepted.How do I pick my child up early?
If a parent is picking up a student, they must have an ID, DL, or passport. Pick-up time stops at 3:00 pm every day; please arrive before that time. Students will not be released, if the person who is picking up a student is not on the system, they will be sent to their Assistant Principal for approval. Students will need to provide a note the next day to excuse the periods that were missed.
Early Dismissal from school:If a student needs to leave early, they need to bring a note from the parent to the attendance office in the morning stating they have permission to leave early due to medical appt. or other reasons; attendance office will contact the parent and will issue a pass. If we are not able to contact the parent, student will not be able to leave campus. When leaving early, students need to sign out at the attendance office in order to be excused. If a student leaves without signing out, the absence will be considered unexcused.
What do I do if I am planning a college visit?
Juniors and Seniors are allowed two college visits during the fall and spring semesters. When the student returns from the visit they must bring a letter on college letterhead with the student’s name, date of the visit. Then the letter should be sent to the attendance office no later than three days after the visit.What is required for Senior Exemptions?
To be eligible for spring semester finals exemption through the attendance office you must have no more than 5 excused absences and NO unexcused absences. (3 absences and 2 college days)Any excuse notes must be brought to the attendance office three days after the student returns to school from the absence.
Doctor or dentist visits will not count as an absence as long as the student brings an official doctor’s note to the attendance office on the same day as the visit to the doctor or dentist office and stays in class for the remainder of the day.
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Contac Ms. Cynthia Vazquez our SIR at:
Room: 106
email: cynthia.vazquez@houstonisd.org
Phone: (713) 732-3623 ext 486-105
Microsoft Teams: @vazquez, cynthia
Helpful Links
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HISD Attendance Policy
Houston ISD is dedicated to academic achievement and success for all scholars. Regular attendance is critically important, because students who are absent lose instructional seat time, thus creating a lost opportunity to learn, ask questions and engage in class activities.
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Attendance Works
"Attendance Works has been an indispensable thought partner with Connecticut as we build state agency capacity, develop resources and implement statewide strategies to improve attendance."
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Student Attendance Accounting Handbook
State law requires that every Texas school district adopts an attendance accounting system that includes procedures to ensure the accurate recording and reporting of student attendance data.
