Absences

Students are required to provide a note from a parent or guardian for each absence within three (3) days from the date of the absence or consecutive absences.  The attendance code for not receiving a note is (NC) “No Contact”.  Notes should have the following:

• Student’s full name and grade
• Date(s) of absence(s)
• Reason for absence(s) – attach a doctor’s note, when applicable
• Parent or Guardian’s signature with a contact number

A student absent without permission from school or from any class will be considered truant and subject to disciplinary actions, which may also include court action. (CFISD Handbook, HB-12) 

Classes begin at 7:15 am; students arriving late will go directly to the attendance office for an “Admit to Class Pass.”  Students arriving to attendance between 7:16 am -7:24 am are considered tardy to 1^st period.  Students arriving at 7:25 am and after, are considered absent to 1^st period.  Without a parent or guardian note, students will incur an unexcused absence.

Attendance is taken during all 7 class periods.  A student arriving up to 10 minutes after the period bell will be considered Tardy, after 10 minutes they incur an absence. 

If leaving early or arriving late to/from visits to health care professionals, the student shall be excused for temporary absence, provided a note is received and the student commences classes or returns to school on the same day of the appointment.  The note should include the date, doctor’s name and phone number. 

The District shall excuse students from attending school for the purpose of observing religious holy days when it is a tenet of their faith that they must be absent from school.  Students are required to provide a note from a parent or guardian for each absence within three days or the absence will be counted as unexcused.

A parent or guardian will be notified when their student is absent from school three days or parts of days in a four-week period (court warning letter) and is absent for 10 or more days or parts of days in a six-month period (10-day absent letter) when the absences are without parental consent (unexcused absences).  Note:  NC-No Contact is an unexcused absences. 

A student may not receive credit for a class unless he/she had been in attendance for at least 90% of the days the class is offered during the semester.  If a student is in attendance for at least 75% but less than 90%, a student can be given credit for a class if the student completes a plan approved by the school principal that provides for the student to meet the requirements of the course.  Parents or guardians will be notified by mail after the student’s fifth (5th) absence in a class.  (CFISD Handbook, HB-19 - 21)