Absence & Tardy Policy

DOCUMENTATION FOR STUDENT ABSENCE

A parent/guardian email or handwritten note should be received within 2 days after the student returns to school and must always include the following:

• Student's Full Name (birth/legal name)

• Student ID Number

• Student Grade

• Date(s) of Absence

• Reason for Absence

• Parent Signature and Contact Info 

Appropriate Documentation:

• Medical note from a Doctor/Dentist. (If the absence is due to a medical appointment, it is ALWAYS best to turn in a medical note)

• Parent note explaining reason for Excusable Absence.

• DMV- Copy of newly obtained driver’s license or permit

• Official College visit letter (11th & 12th grade only)

Documentation can be emailed from the parent/guardian email of record to VHSattendance@leanderisd.org or the student can turn the note in at the Attendance Office within 48 hours of absence. Failure to submit appropriate documentation of an absence will result in the absence being counted as Unexcused. 

The VHSattendance inbox may fill quickly due to the high volume of notes received. So, please allow us at least 3-4 days to update your student’s Home Access Center (HAC) account. HAC is where Absence codes can be monitored. Students should check their attendance daily in HAC for accuracy.

Parent and Medical notes provided outside of the current grading cycle will be accepted for the students file. However, the coding may not change.

EXCUSED vs. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

EXCUSED Absences

Excused Absences (depending on the attendance code) may count against a student's attendance hours owed but will not count against a students truancy record.

  Examples of an Excused Absence:

• Partial day absence due to a Medical appointment from a Doctor/Dentist - Medical note required

• Out full day due to illness with a parent or medical note (Code A or D - Hours Owed)

• Obtaining a driver's license or drivers permit - copy of student's DL or Permit required

• Funeral/memorial

• Sent home by the school nurse

• College visit (11th & 12th grade only) 

• Religious Holy Day with appropriate form (click Helpful Forms)

• Military Related Absence with appropriate form (Click Helpful Forms)

UNEXCUSED Absences (Code U - Hours Owed and Truancy)

Unexcused Absences count against a student’s attendance hours owed and truancy record.

Examples of an Unexcused Absence:

• Appointment (non-medical)

• Personal/Business Reasons (car trouble, traffic, etc.)

• Overslept

• Parent Work

• Travel Issues

• Wedding or Celebration

• Out of town

• Club sports/Travel (non-school related)

• Family Emergency/ Family Obligation

• Missed the bus/ No Ride/ Car Issues

• No reason given for the absence

• Arriving to any class more than 10 minutes after the class period has started without appropriate documentation

• Leaving class with 30 mins or more of class instruction time

TARDIES

• Students must be present and in class at 8:15AM when the bell rings. 

• If a Student arrives after 8:15AM, the student MUST check in with the Attendance Office to receive a tardy pass prior to going to class.

• If a student is late to school due to a late school bus - that is a district approved excused tardy. 

• If a Student is more than ten (10) minutes late to any given class, the student is marked absent.