The following is a quick synopsis of our attendance procedures at DSHS. Please refer to the entire
DSISD Student Handbook for complete information.
High School Attendance StaffAzucena White, Attendance Clerk
Michele Nickells, Attendance Clerk
For all day absences or when a student is absent for any portion of a school day, the parent must verify the absence with an absence request through Skyward Family Access. Absence verification must describe the reason for the absence. The verification must be submitted by the student’s parent. Otherwise, the student’s absence may be considered unexcused and, if so, would be considered to be in violation of compulsory attendance laws. Texas law states that students are required to attend 90% of their classes in order to gain course credit. For students that fall below the 90% threshold, there is an appeal process that goes before the attendance committee. The campus will document in attendance records for the student whether the absence is considered by the district to be excused or unexcused. Please note that, unless the absence is for a statutorily allowed reason under the compulsory attendance laws, the district is not required to excuse any absence, even if the parent provides a note explaining the absence.
Upon return to school, a student absent for more than four consecutive days because of a personal illness must email or fax a statement from a health care provider verifying the illness or condition that caused the student's extended absence from school.
UnexcusedUnexcused absences are those that are not exempt or excused, but are approved and verified by a parent. Out-of-town absences are documented as unexcused absences. Parents must verify the absence through Skyward Family Access. When possible, verification of a planned absence should be provided in advance of the absence. Absence verification must describe the reason for the absence. The verification must be submitted by the student’s parent or guardian. Tardy/AbsentA student is considered tardy if he/she is not in his or her assigned classroom when the tardy bell rings, but enters class before the first 15 minutes of class time have elapsed. Students who arrive at school or return to school while class is in progress or between classes must sign in at the attendance office immediately and must have a parent confirm the reason for the absence within 48 hours. Failure to sign in at the time of arrival will result in a truancy and disciplinary consequence. Please note attendance is taken each period of the day. Official attendance for state reporting purposes is taken at 10:50 a.m. LunchDripping Springs High School is a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave campus during the school day without parent permission and following the procedures for leaving the campus during school hours. If you need your student released during their lunch time, please email the attendance office indicating that they will be leaving. You will need to contact your student via text message and have them come to the Attendance Office to sign out. We are unable to send passes to students during their lunch period. Students will not be allowed to sign out until we have an email with parental permission.
Verification of Enrollment FormsStudents should email their request for a Verification of Enrollment (VOE) to
dshsattendance@dsisdtx.us. Issuance of Verifications of Enrollment are subject to the Texas Compulsory Attendance Laws stated above. The student will need to submit the VOE form to DPS upon application for a driver’s license. Due to the large number of requests, and because all student information must be confirmed by a school official before a verification form can be issued,
students should allow a minimum of two days for processing their requests. Please plan ahead for a renewal.
