Reporting & Verifying Absences

Illness and Medical Documentation

Physician Verification After Repeated Illness Absences

After a student has accumulated 14 illness absences during the school year that were previously verified by a parent or guardian, any additional illness absence must be verified by a physician.

At the high school level, this also applies when a student has illness-related absences from the same course on 14 separate school dates. When the threshold is reached, the Attendance Office will notify the parent or guardian that physician verification is required for future illness-related absences from that course.

When physician verification is required, parent verification alone is no longer sufficient. Documentation should identify the student and date or dates being verified and should be submitted promptly. The requirement applies for the remainder of the school year and does not restart at the semester.

Repeated Partial-Day Illness Patterns

Repeated late arrivals, early releases, or class-period absences attributed to illness may require administrative review. The school may review the timing and frequency of the absences, Health Office and attendance records, whether required procedures were followed, and whether additional support, documentation, or an attendance improvement plan is needed.

Ongoing Medical, Mental Health, or Disability-Related Needs

Families should contact the school when an ongoing condition may regularly affect attendance. The school may coordinate with the Health Office, counselor, case manager, Section 504 team, Individualized Education Program team, or another appropriate support provider. Required accommodations will be provided.

An illness absence may be excused and still count toward chronic absence because the student missed instructional time.