Attendance is important!
The goal in terms of attendance for your child is to come to school every day. However, we know that illness or other life events affect attendance.
Chapman Elementary's daily attendance rate is about 93%. My goal is for us to average at least 95%.
What is considered 'good' attendance?
We typically get concerned when a child's attendance drops below 95%, or about 7 or 8 absences for the entire school year. This is less than one absence, excused or unexcused a month.
Huntsville City Schools allows parents to submit 8 parent notes total. Absences beyond 8, must have a doctor's note. If your child is absent or late for class, please send a note with your child to his/her teacher indicating why they were absent or tardy within two days. State law requires a note from the parent, whether due to illness or non-illness, verifying the absence of their child.
Academically and socially, you will see a negative impact if your child accumulates more than 10 absences.
Truancy
After a child accumulates three unexcused absences, parents must attend a conference at school with the Attendance Task Force to develop interventions and strategies.
After seven unexcused absences, families are referred to Student Services.
Additional unexcused absences will result in the parent being referred to the District Attorney and the Juvenile Court system.
Excused absences
- Personal illness (7 parent notes for the entire school year)
- Death in the immediate family
- Dangerous weather
- Legal or court appearances
- Quarantine
- Out of School Suspension
- Field trips, athletic events (school sponsored)
- Principal-approved absences for religious reasons
* Family vacations / trips are not excused