Where can I find the School Excuse Form?

You can access the form in three convenient ways:

• Online: An electronic copy is available HERE.

• In Print: Hard copies are located in the back of the EHS Student Handbook.

• On Campus: Forms are available at the EHS School Excuse Station on the main campus.

How do I submit an excuse for my child's absence?

Parents must fill out and submit a completed Enterprise High School School Excuse Form within three (3) days of the student’s return to school.

Completed forms should be placed in one of the official lock boxes located:

• On the first-floor main campus hall

• In the EHS lobby

How many parent excuses are allowed each semester?

Students are allowed a maximum of four (4) parent excuses (PE) per semester. Any additional parent notes beyond these four will remain unexcused.

Note: Parent notes must be used for avoidable absences during the school day, such as personal vacations, driver's license/permit testing, or obtaining ID cards.

What if my child is sick, but does not attend a doctor's visit?

EHS Administration understands that not all illnesses require a doctor's appointment, and that financial difficulties can sometimes prevent medical visits.

EHS is staffed with full-time nurses who can speak with parents to discuss health-related illnesses or injuries. The nursing staff can determine if a medical attendance code can be applied directly from their office.

• Parent Responsibility: It is the parent's responsibility to contact the school nurse immediately to explain the situation.

What makes a student's absence unexcused? 

An absence is automatically considered unexcused if:

• The 3-day window is missed: The school does not receive a written excused absence statement from the parent/student within 3 school days (including the day the student returns).

• Suspension: The student is currently serving a school suspension.

Can a student make up missed work after an unexcused absence? 

For unexcused absences, the student may only be permitted to receive credit for makeup work for major tests/assignments.

Important Note: To ensure your student receives full credit for all of their daily schoolwork, please remember to submit an official excuse note to the school office within 3 days of their return.

Being tardy to school greatly affects student success and routine. Tardy is defined as: Students not in their classroom when the bell rings. 

Next steps if a student arrives to school late: 

• Anyone arriving after the 7:50 AM bell must report directly to the front office.

• Failing to check in properly is not tolerated and may result in an unexcused absence, an unexcused tardy, or truancy depending on the situation.

• Excusing a Tardy: The reasons for an excused tardy are exactly the same as an excused absence (such as parent notes or medical notes). A written excuse must be submitted to the black box within 3 days to be coded accordingly.

Once a student accumulates six (6) or more unexcused tardies to a block (in a nine weeks period), the school may impose disciplinary procedures. 

What happens if my child reaches 5 unexcused absences? 

If a student accumulates five (5) or more unexcused absences at any point during the entire school year, an early warning letter will be sent home.

What is the penalty for continued unexcused absences? 

Once a student exceeds seven (7) unexcused absences in a school year, they may be formally referred to Early Warning Court (Level I). 

If truancy issues continue beyond this point, they may be formally referred to Attendance Court (Level II), and the case is handed over entirely to the Judge of Juvenile Court.

Note: Absence limits are tracked per school year, not per semester.

Can unexcused absences affect a student's driver's license? 

Yes. Under Alabama Code 16-28-40 (School Enrollment Law), the school is legally required to notify the Driver Improvement Unit of the Department of Public Safety if a student under the age of 19:

• Misses 10 consecutive school days unexcused.

• Accumulates 15 cumulative unexcused absences within a single semester.

This notification may result in the suspension or denial of the student’s driver's license or learner's permit.

What is Chronic Absenteeism, and why does it matter?

Chronic Absenteeism is defined as missing 18 or more days of school for any reason.

Even if an absence is excused—such as a Parent Note (PE) or Medical Excuse (DE)—it still counts toward Chronic Absenteeism data. Research shows that missing this much school is directly linked to lower academic achievement, student disengagement, course failure, and an increased risk of dropping out.

View the slideshow attached below for more information.