1. Attendance

2. Parents/Guardians are asked to call the school to report when students are absent. Students who have been absent must also bring a written, signed statement by parent/guardian – explaining the reason for the absence within two (2) days following their return to school after students were absent. Students may also be required to have a note from the physician if the absences are excessive or additional documentation for extenuating circumstances. Personal or family illness verified by a note from parent/guardian not to exceed a total of eight (8) days in a school year

3. 1. A doctor or dentists signed note verifying appointment (was not in school entire day) (V)* 2. Autism therapy sessions (V)* 3. Students required court appearance (C)* 4. Observation of a religious holy days (J)* 5. Pursuing citizenship (C)* 6. College or university visit (2 per junior and senior year) (K)* 7. Deaths outside immediate family** 8. Natural disasters, weather or road conditions as declared by the District 9. Emergencies recognized and approved by the principal ** 10. Attending an authorized school function * Absence is recognized by the TEA with a special code which denotes the student is being counted as present for ADA. ** Absences of this nature are included as excused by parent/guardian note.

4. 1. Truancy 2. Any absence for a reason not listed on the Excused Absence Reasons list 3. Examples: a. Vacations b. Pleasure trips c. Missing the bus d. Car problems e. Overslept f. Baby sitting g. Birthday or other personal celebrations h. Jobs i. Rare special circumstances not approved by the principal in advance j. Pop Warner (athletic programs not associated with the District) k. Cheerleading/dance programs, club sports programs l. Non-school affiliated fine arts productions

5. Absences are considered excused by the District and do not count towards loss or credit 1. Serious or long-term personal or family illness documented by a doctor 2. Death in the immediate family 3. Military compact (Active military parent being deployed or returning from deployment) 4. Hospitalized 5. 4-H club 6. Sport related competitions for off-campus PE credit 7. Shadowing magnet programs (out of District i.e. Health Careers HS) 8. Olympic tryouts 9. Visit by the religious leaders (Pope) or a major religious event not a holy day

6. A student shall not be given credit for a class unless the student is in attendance 90 percent of the days the class is offered. ONLY NINE (9) ABSENCES ARE ALLOWED PER CLASS. If you have ten or more absences in a class, you must attend Saturday Success in order to receive credit.

7. FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER October 20, 2012 February 9, 2013 October 27, 2012 February 23, 2013 November 3, 2012 March 2, 2013 November 10, 2012 March 23, 2013 December 1, 2012 April 6, 2013 December 8, 2012 April 13, 2013 December 15, 2012 April 20, 2013 January 12, 2013+ May 4, 2013* January 26, 2013+ May 11, 2013* February 2, 2013+ May 18, 2013 * + These dates are used for First Semester credit.

8. 1 st Semester October 20 October 27 November 3 November 10 December 1 December 8 December 15 2 nd Semester February 9 March 2 April 6 April 13 May 4 May 11 May 18

9. Investigates each case of a violation of the compulsory school attendance. Refers the student to a juvenile court or filing a complaint against the student [and parent(s)] in a county, justice, or municipal court if the student has unexcused absences for the amount of time specified under Education Code 25.094 or under Family Code. Monitors school attendance compliance by each student investigated by the officer. Maintains an investigative record on each compulsory school attendance requirement violation and related court action. Makes a home visit or otherwise contact the parent of a student who is in violation of compulsory school attendance requirements.

10. The Board shall appoint one or more attendance committees to hear petitions for class credit by students who have not met the 90 percent rule and have not earned class credit by completing a principals plan. Classroom teachers shall comprise a majority of the attendance committee. APPEAL If the committee denies a student credit, the student may appeal the decision to the Board. The Boards decision may be appealed to the district court of the county in which the Districts central administrative office is located.

11. LEVEL I If a student is in attendance less than the required percentage of days and has been notified by the District that credit will be denied, the parent or guardian may appeal in writing to the campus attendance committee composed of an assistant principal, a counselor, and at least three teachers. The committee shall provide a written response to the appeal to the parent or guardian within ten days. LEVEL II If the decision of the campus attendance committee is unsatisfactory to the parent or guardian or the time for a response has expired, he or she may appeal in writing to the principal of the school the student attends. This appeal shall be filed within ten days following the receipt of a response, or if no response is received, within ten days of the response deadline. LEVEL III Parents or guardians may appeal the decision of the principal to the District attendance review committee that shall be composed of an administrator from pupil personnel services, an administrator, a counselor, and at least four teachers from either the elementary or secondary level based on the enrollment of the student in question. This appeal shall be made in writing to the executive director of pupil personnel services who shall provide the students parent(s) or guardian(s) with written notice of the date, time, and place of the attendance review committee meeting within ten days of the receipt of the appeal request. This appeal shall be filed within ten days following receipt of a response, or if no response is received, within ten days of the response deadline. The District attendance review committee shall have the authority to uphold, overturn, or alter the decision of the principal. The recommendation of the attendance review committee shall be rendered and sent in writing to the parent(s) or guardian(s) within ten days after the review of the appeal. LEVEL IV A request for a Board review of the District attendance review committees decision shall be made in writing to the Superintendent under FNG(LOCAL). This appeal shall be filed within ten days following receipt of a response, or if no response is received, within ten days of the response deadline.

12. The District may initiate withdrawal of a student under the age of 18 for nonattendance under the following conditions: The student has been absent ten consecutive school days; and Repeated efforts by the attendance officer and/or principal to locate the student have been unsuccessful. For withdrawal of students 18 or older, see FEA(LEGAL).

13. http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/179

14. Questions??? Call our Attendance Office. Mrs. Enriquetta Mendez 210-356-0829 emende@neisd.net Mrs. Nancy Ybarra 210-356-0801 nybarr@neisd.net

15. Mrs. Caprica Wells cwells@neisd.net 210-356-0826