Back to School Guide for Managing Tardies, Absences, and Truancy

Your child may be sick, or you may need to take a special trip. A family member may need your help. Personal reasons may be the true reason that you did not take your children to school last Thursday. There are several reasons why you need to know the school attendance policy. Here are three tips to help you know how to manage days missed at school

Visit the website for the school district. Look for the updated information on the number of days that can be missed at school. This topic is usually always discussed at the first PTA meting of the year. If you are not finding the information request a copy of the rules from the school.

This state usually determines at what time the student is considered tardy. There are also different guidelines for an excused or unexcused absence, and the states definition of truancy.

Tardy

Know at what time, your child will be considered tardy. This means that you may not be able to drop them off at school at this time. You may need to drop them off in person at the office, for them to be able to attend class. Each school has its own unique policy. A note may be acceptable for your student to hand into the office.

Excused Absences

Minor and extended illnesses and time spent in the hospital are usually on the list for excused absences. The school usually allows a set number of days to be missed. Keep in contact with the school if your child has to miss large portions of school due to hospitalization or if they are contagious. The school may have a system in place to keep your child up to date on their coursework. Children are generally readmitted back to class with a signed parental note.

Unexcused Absences

Unexcused allowable absences are when things happen beyond your control and school must be missed. You do not always have to give the school exact details of what happened. They usually just want a note requesting to be excused for missing that day. The notes generally need to be signed and have your contact information. These notes usually are kept on file with the school.

Truancy

If you have a teen or teen that is deliberately skipping school, know how to catch them. The school usually calls when school is missed. This is usually done after the set time for a student to be considered tardy. Most parents are already at work by that time. It is easy for your tween or teen to intercept this phone call, if going to the home number. In lager schools this is an automated process. A computer generated voice message lets you know your child is not in school. Have the school send these messages to your cell phone. If you do not have a cell phone, you can set your home phone to go straight to voice mail during business hours. Be sure that your teen does not know the password to disable this feature.

Many states will hold the parents accountable if their children do not attend school. If your children are caught by the police they can receive tickets. If you have a troubled teen that you can not get to school explore your options. Speak with guidance counselors about what you can do. If you have to take them to school, and drop them off in the office. Have an administrator sign your own personal records showing that you did in fact take your child to school that day.
Keep detailed records of any date that your child is tardy or has missed a complete day. Keep a log of all phone calls. Be sure to record the date, time, and name of the teacher or administrator you spoke with. In the event of truancy your own records may be the only thing that helps deflects the consequences set up by the State for truancy. Use this tips to help manage days off that must be taken off from school.