Parents Taking Control of Their Student’s Success Taking Care of Business 1

Purpose Solve problems that are keeping students from getting to school everyday Show the connection between attendance and academic success Learn about AISD and community resources Answer questions about Texas state law and AISD policies 2

Texas Law Truancy Filing Austin ISD can file a complaint against a parent/guardian in court if a student has 3 unexcused “days or parts of day absences” within a 4-week period Part of days-means arriving late (tardy) or leaving before the end of the school day AISD must file a complaint if a student has 10 or more absences during a six month period. (see School Attendance Matters on page 4) 3

4 REMINDERS: Written notes for absences are required and should be provided within 2-days upon returning to school (FEC Regulation). A student who does not attend school due to illness of a sibling, parent, guardian or other relative will not be eligible for an approved excuse under State Compulsory School Attendance law Compulsory School Attendance applies to all AISD students in grades Pre-K through 12th EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE - AISD POLICY FEA (LEGAL) Religious Holy Days Court Appearances Citizenship Proceedings/Naturalization for student Election Clerks Health-Care Campus Visits (reference policy for details) TAPS at a Military Funeral Other Excused Temporary Absences (Speak w/ Principal) Special Education Matters (reference policy for details) Military Dependents (reference policy for details) THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR YOUR CHILD TO BE IN SCHOOL EVERYDAY, ON TIME. MOST IMPORTANTLY, EVERY MINUTE HE/SHE IS OUT OF CLASS, YOUR CHILD IS MISSING OUT ON IMPORTANT LEARNING TIME. THERE ARE ALSO LEGAL REASONS FOR YOUR CHILD TO BE IN SCHOOL. FOR QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL’S ATTENDANCE OFFICE OR THE AUSTIN ISD OFFICE OF DROPOUT & TRUANCY PREVENTION AT OR HELPFUL TIPS: Notes are to be given to Attendance Specialists, not Teachers Remember that every school opens early and it’s better to be early than it is to be late. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE MYTH BUSTER Three tardies do not equal one absence. ACCORDING TO TEXAS COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW: Austin ISD can file a complaint against a parent/guardian in court if a student has 3 or more unexcused “day or part of day absences” within 4 weeks. Austin ISD must file a complaint against a parent/guardian in court if a student has 10 or more unexcused “day or part of day absences” within six months. 4

Common absences or part of day absences that are not excused Parent appointments (doctor, Health and Human Services, etc) Waking up late Traffic Car trouble Bad weather Vacations Child custody issues Work issues 5

AISD Attendance Information What parents need to know 1.Children need to be in class by 7:45 AM. 2.The bell rings at 7:45 AM. 3. If your child eats breakfast at school, please make sure they’re at school by 7:15 AM. 4.If your child does not eat breakfast at school, he/she should be aware of where they go in the morning. 5.Campus staff is on duty to assist your child in getting to class on time. 6

QUIZ TIME! QUIZ TIME! 7

What time does the morning bell ring in elementary school? 8

7:45 am 9

What Parents Need To Know If your student is late or absent, make sure a note is turned in to the attendance clerk, NOT the teacher. A box for excuse notes is on the bookshelf in the office. Absences should be excused if you have a note from a doctor or for other pre-approved reasons Please communicate with your child’s teacher concerning any work they may have missed. Virginia Cortez is Joslin Elementary’s Attendance Clerk. She can be reached at

Child Study Teams In the event that your child’s attendance and/or tardiness does not improve, you will be invited to a Child Study Team meeting. Various school staff (principal, counselor, teacher, nurse) and family members meet to discuss ideas that teachers, students and parents can use to improve:AttendanceAcademicsBehavior ( Child Study Teams can also assist with social service information like medical, clothing, and housing resources.) 11

District Resources School to Community Liaisons (SCLs) Behavior Specialists After School Programs Homebound Services Parent Support Office 12

Parent Connection Internet-based program that will let parents see:  Kindergarten – 2 nd Grade: Attendance Report Cards Calendar  3 rd Grade – 6 th Grade: Assignment Grades Attendance Report Cards And more… For more information about Parent Connection, contact Dora Flores at or at 13

Ombudsman Assists parents and the community in resolving problems, complaints, conflicts and other school-related issues. Confidential limited to persons authorized to use information, documents, etc. Impartial not biased; fair Informal without formality; casual Independent not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction; free 14

Contact the Ombudsman District Ombudsman Contact Information 1111 W. Sixth Street, A-230 Austin, TX Phone: Fax:

If You Receive An Attendance Letter (Have questions, do not agree or need help) Take the following steps: 1 st Speak with your campus’ attendance clerk 2 nd Assistant Principal if the concern is not resolved then 3 rd Speak with the campus Principal 4 th Central Office Administrative Staff: Ombudsman Associate Superintendent 16

Required Assignment Review page 4 and page 5. Complete the attached form and turn in to Mrs. Cortez in the front office within 3 school days. Thank you for taking the time to view this presentation. A good start to the school day is essential for all students, and being on time is an important part of a good beginning. 17