Attendance Office
Attendance Office
District Attendance Policy
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The following acceptable reasons for an absence that DO NOT count against the student in regards to the 90% law must be accompanied by appropriate documentation to verify absences:
- Required court appearance (with subpoena, not including traffic violations)
- Religious Holy Days (not including church retreats, mission trips, baptisms, etc.)
- Military TAPS
- Health care appointment with an original, signed doctor's note returned no later than two days of the absence: Per Texas Education Agency Attendance Laws, if a student attends part of the school day on the same day they have an appointment, they do not have to make the day up. If the student misses the whole day and does not attend school at all, they will have to make the day up, even with a note.
- Activities related to obtaining US Citizenship
- District-approved school business activities: Students who participate in school activities during the school day will be marked "S" for extra-curricular, or OC for on-campus activities. These absences DO NOT count against the student in regards to the State's 90% attendance law.
- Learner's Permit appointment (1 day)
- Driver's License appointment (1 day)
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It is a parent's responsibility to monitor their student's school attendance. This can be done by utilizing the district's Skyward Family Access. Boerne ISD sends automated notices via Skyward when a student is absent from school for one or more periods. Please ensure all contact information is up-to-date in Skyward to ensure communication. On the day of your student’s absence, you will receive a notification via phone call, text, or email even if the absence has been reported. Contacting parents and guardians of students who are not in class is an important measure undertaken by the District to ensure the safety of all of our students.
The Boerne ISD Student Handbook details Attendance and Absence guidelines and procedures.
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Acceptable reasons for an excused absence must be accompanied by approved documentation to verify absences:
- Personal or family illness verified by a note from a parent/guardian NOT TO EXCEED 5 total days per semester
- Natural disasters, weather or road conditions as declared by BISD making travel dangerous
- Death outside of the family
- Family emergency recognized and approved by the administration
Per TEA, excused absences count against the student in regards to the 90% law.
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Unacceptable reasons for attendance will be documented as unexcused absences and are subject to grading policy. Unexcused absences include the following:
- Truancy
- Vacations or pleasure trips
- Parent/Guardian notes for personal or family illness in excess of 5 days per semester
- Youth programs not associated with the school
- Transportation issues
- Oversleeping
- Birthday
- Jobs
Per TEA, unexcused absences count against the student in regards to the 90% law.
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Students who miss a significant number of school days, regardless of the reason, are considered chronically absent and may face academic and social challenges. Boerne ISD is committed to working with families to address chronic absenteeism and support student success. We are committed to your child’s success and we are your partner. Together, we can set your student up for success!
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State law requires that students be in attendance for at least 90% of the time class is scheduled to meet to receive credit for that class. This includes both EXCUSED and UNEXCUSED absences.
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A student who is in violation of the 90% Attendance Law will NOT receive credit for the course. A student who receives No Credit (NC) in a course may regain credit status by completing an alternate attendance action plan set by their assistant principal. Students who receive a NO CREDIT are not eligible to receive the Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form required in order to receive a Texas Driver's License until they regain credit status.
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Regular attendance is key to your child’s success. Our attendance clerk records the official attendance time for elementary students at 10 AM and secondary students at 10:30 AM.
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Junior and senior students are allowed a maximum of two days per year to visit a college or university. Please provide documentation signed by a college or university official to the Attendance Office.
We are unable to accept itineraries as proof.
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Students who participate in school activities during the school day will be marked "S" for extra-curricular, or OC for on-campus activities. These absences DO NOT count against the student in regards to the State's 90% attendance law.
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If a student becomes sick at school, they need to report to the school nurse. The nurse will determine if the student needs to be excused due to illness. The parent/guardian will be contacted, asked to come and sign out the student. If the student is sent home by the nurse, the absence is considered excused for the remainder of the day.
Subsequent absences will be considered upon the student's return with a parent or doctor note.
Should the nurse choose to NOT send the student home due to illness and the parent chooses to sign their student out, the absence is unexcused until a parent note is received.
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Provide physical documentation (note, letter, etc.) to the Attendance Office within 48 hours of the student's last absence. The Attendance Office at each campus may be accessed via the About link on campus homepage, or via the icons in the middle of the page.
Please include: student's full name, ID#, date of absence, reason, printed parent's name, parent's phone number.
HIGH SCHOOL ONLY: High School parents/guardians may log in to Skyward Family Access and complete the ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION form tile.
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Please allow time in your schedule for the Attendance Office to retrieve your student from their class if a student must be checked out of school for a health appointment or another planned event.
Students may be testing, outside their normal classroom, or in a lab.
Students Who Do NOT Drive
ALL GRADES: A parent/guardian must sign the student out in the front office and show valid photo identification before leaving campus with the student.
Students Who Drive (or ride with sibling who is a current student who drives)
To request an early dismissal, a parent or guardian must log in to Skyward Family Access and complete the ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION tile at least two hours before the student needs to leave campus.
Once the request is received, an Early Dismissal Pass will be delivered to the student. At the designated time, the student should report to the attendance office, sign out and receive a separate checkout pass. The student must present this pass to the security guard at the front gate before leaving campus.
Why Attendance Matters
Attending school regularly and on time helps students reach their full potential, leading to greater achievements. By being present each day, children can fully benefit from their educational opportunities, setting them up for success both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Achievement
Students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve academic success, graduate on time, and pursue higher education opportunities.
Social and Emotional Development
School provides a supportive environment where students can develop social skills, build friendships, and enhance their emotional well-being.
Future Success
Regular attendance instills valuable habits such as punctuality, responsibility, and commitment, which are essential for success in life.
Boerne ISD's Commitment
Clear Attendance Policies
We maintain clear and consistent attendance policies, emphasizing the importance of regular school attendance.
Supportive Environment
We strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel valued and connected.
Early Intervention
We identify and address attendance concerns early, working collaboratively with families to find solutions.
Community Partnerships
We collaborate with community partners to provide resources and support to families facing barriers to attendance.
Attendance Tips
Communicate with the school: If your child experiences challenges that affect their attendance, please reach out to the school for support and resources. We are your partner and here to help you however we can.
Encourage a love of learning: Foster a positive attitude towards school and learning by engaging in educational activities with your child at home. If there are areas where your child’s school or academic experience can improve, we encourage you to speak with your school principal or educator.
Establish a consistent routine: Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and has ample time to prepare for school each morning. If you need help with providing meals for your child or are in need of transportation, please contact your child’s principal.
Schedule appointments outside of school hours: Whenever possible, schedule doctor's appointments, dental check-ups, and other appointments during non-school hours. Even missing a half day of school for an appointment can be disruptive to your child’s academic experience.
We believe strong partnerships between families and schools are essential for ensuring student success. By working together, we can create a culture of attendance where every student feels motivated and supported to attend school every day.
