Attendance Clerk
512.858.3229
dshsattendance@dsisdtx.us

To submit an absence, please send an absence request through Skyward Family Access - Click here for instructions. 

*No need to come in/call if you’ve utilized Skyward. Even if it says pending, our team is working on getting your student so they can leave on time.

If you are requesting an early dismissal, please send an absence request through Skyward Family Access at least 60 minutes before the requested dismissal time. 

Any early release requests submitted for the same day will be accepted before 3:00 pm through Skyward. 

Students will not be released between 3:40 pm - 4:15 pm.

Please know on Fridays, game days, pep rallies, and days before extended holidays we have an abundance of students being checked out. Please try to submit your absence by 8:00 AM or as soon as possible to avoid delays in getting your student. 

In case of emergencies, please submit a student request through Skyward Family Access, and our staff will do their best to get your student either by calling the room or sending someone to the room. Please be patient with us while we do everything to get your student as fast as possible.

1. Your student needs to check in with the Attendance Office. 

2. Supporting documentation must be emailed to the attendance office

3. Reminder: email and present documentation to the Attendance Office within 5 days; do not give or email notes to the classroom teacher. 

NOTE:  Parent email and Doctor’s Notes are subject to random verification

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 healthcare provider verifying the illness or condition that caused the student's extended absence from school.

If your student is absent for one or more periods, and if documentation has not been received, you will receive a phone call, text, or email from Skyward System about their absence at the end of the school day. If you have emailed the attendance office, please disregard this notification.  Please allow 48 hours or two business days for any absence codes to appear.  Note that student attendance for school-related absences will be automatically entered (e.g., field trip, athletic event). 

If you feel you were contacted in error:

1. For absences/tardies in a single class, please email the teacher to inquire. The teacher will then contact the Attendance Office to correct any mistakes.

2. For questions on whole-day absences email the Attendance Office.

If your student is testing, we are not able to send a pass or call the room as it interrupts the testing environment, and may impact the scoring of all the students present in the room. Please make arrangements for appointments or traveling on nonmajor testing days. 

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 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.

A 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 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. 

Dripping Springs High School is a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave campus during the school day without parental permission and following the procedures for leaving the campus during school hours. If you need your student released during their lunchtime, please email the attendance office indicating that they will be leaving. You will need to contact your students 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.

Students 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 to process their requests. Please plan ahead for a renewal.