The following is a quick synopsis of attendance procedures at Dripping Springs Middle School. Please refer to the entire DSISD Student Handbook for complete information.

Dripping Springs Middle School Attendance Clerk
Jana Willis
Email: dsmsattendance@dsisdtx.us
512.858.3401

Parent Instructions for Reporting Absences
    1.  Log in to Skyward Family Access and click “Attendance” to report; OR
    2.  Use the Skyward Family Access app from your mobile device and click “Attendance”
    3.  Send an email to: dsmsattendance@dsisdtx.us
    4.  Call the Attendance Office at 512.858.3401

Parent Instructions for Requesting Early Departure
    1.  Call the campus receptionist at 512.858.3411 or the attendance clerk at 512.858.3401.
    2. Send an email to: dsmsattendance@dsisdtx.us; make sure you receive a message confirming receipt

Please do NOT request early releases through Skyward Family Access.

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.

Parents should report absences as early as possible, and preferably by the end of the day. 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.

Early Departure
Students who must leave school at any time during their scheduled school day must have parent permission confirmed by the Attendance Office. The office will send a note to the teacher requesting the student be permitted to leave. Parents should sign students out at the Front Office. To request an early release, please call 512.858.3401 or email dsmsattendance@dsisdtx.us (if email, be sure acknowledgement of receipt is received).

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. Absence verification must describe the reason for the absence.

Definition of Tardy
A student who is not in class when the bell rings and does not have an official excuse is considered tardy. Teachers will track the number of tardies for each student. By the third tardy, the teacher will talk to the student about the importance of being in class on time. Teachers will submit a referral through Family Access at the fourth (and each subsequent) tardy.

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 9:45 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.