Eastlake Middle School

Reporting an Absence

ONLY GUARDIANS/PARENTS CAN CLEAR ABSENCES

ELM will only clear absences from doctor notes, notes or emails from a primary parent/guardian listed in Infinite Campus. Please ensure your email address on file in Infinite Campus is current. Absences reported from a student account will not be accepted or cleared.

How to report an absence: 

1. Doctor’s note (The student may bring the note to the attendance office the next day, or a parent/guardian may email it to elmattendance@sweetwaterschools.org)

2. Parent note (The student may bring the note to the attendance office the next day, or a parent/guardian may email it to elmattendance@sweetwaterschools.org) ELM Attendance Clearance Note Sample

3. Email at elmattendance@sweetwaterschools.org

Note: Absences will not be excused through phone calls, voicemail messages, third party notes, or if the absence has already passed the 30-day window. 

If an absence is not cleared by a parent/guardian within 30 days, a Saturday School will be assigned.

Single Period Absence:

1. If a student is marked absent for a single period, they must speak with the teacher. The teacher will then send a correction note to the attendance office. Only teachers can submit a correction note to excuse single-period absences.

2. Note: Parents/guardians cannot clear single-period absences.

How to report a Tardy: (tardy must be clear within 24 hours)

1. Students need to check in and fill out a late pass at the attendance window.

2. If a parent/guardian is unable to check in a late student, please send the student with a parent/guardian note or a doctor’s note (if returning from a medical or dental appointment).

3. The parent note should have the student’s legal name, date, reason for tardy, parent/guardian name, phone number and signature. If some of this information is missing, tardy won't be cleared.

4. Please do not allow your students to write their own notes. Waking up late will not be excused.

Early Release: 

1. The office will not accept off-campus requests over the phone or by note. Parent/guardian/emergency contact must come to the attendance office to check a student out. An off campus slip needs to be filled out, and a picture ID is required. The legal name must match the name we have listed in Infinite Campus. Students will not be released to anyone who is not listed as an emergency contact on their Infinite Campus account, or anyone under the age of 18. 

2. Illness at school: If your student is feeling sick, they are not allowed to call or text their parents to go home (unless directed by an administrator or office staff.) They need to go to the nurse’s office to be evaluated, and the nurse will call the parent/guardian to give your student an off-campus pass.

3. Students may not wait in the office for parent/guardian pickup, except in the nurse’s office for medical reasons. 

4. After your ID is verified and the off-campus slip is completed, we will call your student to the office. This process typically takes 10–15 minutes; if the student is in P.E., it may take up to 20 minutes. Please plan accordingly.

Please note: Our cut off time for off-campuses is 15 minutes prior to the end of the school day. Please plan accordingly.   

• Monday-Thursday 3:00 p.m.,

• Friday 12:35 p.m. 

Independent Study Contract:

Students are eligible to request an Independent Study Contract if they will be absent for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 15 days. Each student may request up to 15 school days of Independent Study per academic year.

To request a contract, please contact the Attendance Coordinator, Richard Barr, at richard.barr@sweetwaterschools.org

Requirements:

1. We require at least one week's notice before the scheduled absence.

2. Students are responsible for completing all assigned schoolwork during their absence.

3. For attendance purposes, one assignment must be submitted for every five days of absence.

4. For academic purposes, all assigned work must be completed and ready to submit upon return.

5. Finals Week: Independent Study Contracts are not granted during finals week unless approved by an Assistant Principal 

Process:

1. Parents must request the Independent Study Contract via email.

2. The student/parent/guardian may pick up the contract from the Attendance Office.

3. Once completed by a parent/guardian, the student must return the contract to the Attendance Office for verification.

4. After verification, the student will collect teacher signatures and return the signed contract to the Attendance Office.

5. Upon returning to school, the student must check in with the Attendance Coordinator and submit a copy of at least one completed assignment for every 3 to 5 days of absence in order to close the contract and attendance be excused.

Saturday School:

1. Students must clear their Saturday Academy assignment to be off the Non-Privilege list.

2. Saturday School Hours: 8:00 a.m.–12:00p.m. (Meet at the Main Gate) 

3. Arrive at least 10 minutes before. Gates lock at 8:00 a.m. Late students will not be allowed in as Saturday school credit is time-based. Be on time!

4. Students should bring schoolwork, their iPad (for completing assignments) or a book to read, and a snack and drink.

5. Four hours of Saturday School will clear one full-day absence or 12 tardies. Absences are cleared first.