PARENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPORTING ABSENCES

1. Click Here to Report an Absence in Family Access; OR
2. Send an e-mail using this address: dsesattendance@dsisdtx.us; OR
3. Call the Attendance Office at 512.858.3701.

1. Present ID when picking up student.
   
2. If leaving for an appointment, a note from provider's office should be turned in the following day to Front Office or classroom teacher.
   
3. Please do NOT request early releases through Skyward Family Access.

Important Times
7:40 a.m.     Tardy bell rings
7:45 a.m.     Students are considered tardy if they are not in the building
8:45 a.m.     Attendance is taken for the day
3:00 p.m.     Dismissal bell rings

The following is a summary of DSE attendance procedures.  Please refer to the entire DSISD Student Handbook for complete information.

Attendance Matters!

Reporting Absences
When a student is absent from school for any portion of a school day, the student’s parent must verify the absence using one of the methods listed above. Absence verification must describe the reason for the absence and be submitted by the student’s parent or guardian. Students are marked absent after 8:45 a.m. unless they return with a physician's note to be excused.

Parent should report absences as early as possible, and preferably by noon. DSISD has an automated attendance notification/reminder phone call that is placed to parents if the Attendance Office has not received notification of the absence. While Attendance Offices attempt to cancel the automated call once the parent has reported an absence, it is possible the call could still go out. Parents are asked to report absences within 48 hours.

If a student misses more than four consecutive days because of a personal illness, upon return to school he/she must bring a statement from a health care provider verifying the illness or condition that caused the student’s extended absence.

When possible, verification of a planned absence should be provided to the registrar and to the classroom teacher in advance of the absence.

Early Departure
If a student needs to leave school early, parents should present ID in the Front Office when picking up the child. The office will send a note to the classroom informing the teacher the student is leaving. If the student is leaving for a medical or dental appointment, a note from the provider's office should be submitted to the Front Office or classroom teacher the following day. Parents may not request early departure after 2:45 p.m.
 
Unexcused Absences
Unexcused 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 to the campus Attendance Office within 48 hours of the absence. When possible, verification of a planned absence should be provided in advance of the absence and describe the reason for the absence.

Definition of Tardy
Students arriving after the 7:45 a.m. bell should report to class with a slip from the office. Students arriving at school late due to a medical or dental appointment should present a note at the Front Office upon arrival so they are not marked tardy. If tardies are excessive, students may be assigned disciplinary consequences in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Late Arrivals
Students arriving at school late due to a medical or dental appointment should present a note at the Front Office upon arrival so they are not marked tardy. Please do not use Family Access to report late arrivals.

Attendance-Taking Time
The district must submit attendance of its students to the TEA reflecting attendance at a specific time each day. Official attendance is taken every day at 8:45 a.m. A student absent for any portion of the day, including at the official attendance-taking time, should follow reporting procedures to provide documentation of the absence.