Parents
The Importance of attendance
TEXAS COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW
OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE NOTICE
The academic success of every student enrolled in Pottsboro Independent School District is important. Daily school attendance and on-time arrival are critical to this success. By attending school each day, students receive the benefit of teacher-led instruction, peer discussion, building each day’s learning on the previous day’s instruction, participation in a variety of school activities and the opportunity to grow as individuals.
This Official Attendance Notice and the General Attendance Agreement Pledge outlines the state requirements and district expectations for attendance and is required for all students. In addition, the Pottsboro ISD Student Handbook and policy manual is available for review online at http://www.pottsboroisd.org.
WHO MUST ATTEND SCHOOL?
The Texas State Compulsory Attendance Law, Section 25.085, requires all enrolled students to attend school on time, all day, every day school is in session.
Violation of the law occurs when students get unexcused voluntary absences for 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period. The Pottsboro Independent School District requires an explanation note to excuse an absence. Parents/Guardians will receive a warning letter from the school when a student has been absent without an excuse three times for any part of the day in a four-week period.
Students who violate the law may receive a referral(s) for court proceedings against the parent, guardian and/or student to enforce the law. Students over the age of nineteen may be withdrawn by the school for excessive unexcused absences.
WHAT IS THE PARENT/GUARDIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY?
Parents/Guardians can monitor student attendance records via Parent Portal on an ongoing basis.
The Pottsboro Independent School District requires a written explanation or note to excuse an absence. It is recommended that students turn in absence notes within three days after returning to school. However, notes may be accepted within the semester in which the absence occurred.
If the school believes a student’s absences are excessive, a personal note from home will no longer be enough to excuse the student’s absences. A doctor’s note or another form of documentation may be required.
DID YOU KNOW?
Students are more likely to be involved in class, be successful, and stay on track for graduation if they miss fewer than 10 school days.
Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause a student to fall behind in school.
By 6th grade, amount of absences is one of the three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
Missing 10%, or about 18 days, of the school year can drastically affect academic success. It may also jeopardize promotion to the next grade level and receiving class credit.
Students can be chronically absent even if they only miss a day or two of school every few weeks.