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:
Medical appointment from a Doctor/Dentist
Out due to illness with a parent or medical note
Obtaining a driver's license or drivers permit
Funeral/memorial
Sent home by the school nurse
College visit (11th & 12th grade only)
Holy Day with appropriate form (click Helpful Forms)
Military Related Absence with appropriate form (Click Helpful Forms)
UNEXCUSED Absences
Unexcused Absences count against a student’s attendance hours owed and truancy record.
Examples of an Unexcused Absence:
Appointment (non-medical)
Personal reasons (car trouble, traffic, etc)
Out of town (excluding funerals and 2 college visits for 11th/12th graders)
Club sports/travel (non-school related)
Family emergency
Missed the bus
No reason given for the absence
Arriving to any class more than 10 minutes after the class period has started without appropriate documentation
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.