SAMPLE EXCUSED ABSENCE LETTER INFORMATION ONLY School Name Address City, State, Zip Date Parent Name Address City, State, Zip Re: Child’s Name DOB:
One of the goals of School Name is to help students have a successful educational experience. In order to do this, regular daily attendance is necessary. It has been shown that frequent absences affect children’s skill development and may lead to behavioral problems and poor grades. The California State Department of Health recognizes that schools should be concerned with pupil’s absences in excess of the (10) school days. As part of the School Name attendance procedure, we send an informational letter to the parents of a student who has been absent ten or more school days due to illness. A resent review of our attendance records indicated that your child has missed at least ten school days for illness. When students are absent weather excused or unexcused, they miss important classroom instructions. We are sending this letter as a matter of information for you and as a matter of concern for your child’s educational progress. We don’t want irregular attendance to interfere with your child’s progress and success. Your cooperation in helping us give your child the best education possible is greatly appreciated. If the school can be of assistance or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Sincerely,
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Initial Notification of Excessive Absences
To______________________________________________________________, Parents
Parent(s) or Guardian(s)
of_____________________________________________________________________.
Student
Our school records indicate that your child has had an excessive number of absences this school year. The actual # of absences as of ____________ is__________ days.
Date
Non-attendance affects a student’s academic and social progress at school. Children who do not attend school regularly miss daily instruction and create gaps in their learning which are difficult to make-up. Non-attendance in school can also become a habit that is increasingly difficult to change as the child grows older. This habit may contribute to dropping out of school and other problems which can impact the child’s future. If there are factors contributing to this problem that the school can help resolve, we need to address those factors as soon as possible. Please call the office to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. Sincerely,
___________________________________________________ Date_______________ Principal/Superintendent Signature
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SAMPLE
(TO PLACE ON YOUR LETTERHEAD) Date Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name Address City, State, Zip Subject: EXCESSIVE ABSENCE Dear The school’s attendance records show that _____________________has been absent from school for _________ days this school year. Although _____ of these absences have been recorded as excused for illness, we are concerned regarding the number of days of classroom instruction that has been missed. Students quickly fall behind academically if absences occur frequently. As a result, they generally have poor grades and may be considered for retention. When absences become excessive, it is our obligation to determine the causes. This obligation is for the benefit of the entire student body as well as you child. Continued illnesses may require a physical examination to ascertain what is needed to prevent the further loss of valuable instruction and to insure a healthful environment for all students. Due to this excessive number of absences, further illnesses will require a doctor’s note or a visit to the school nurse to verify the need to grant an excused absence. Education Code C.A.C Title 5, Section 421. Please read this law on the reverse side of this letter. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Please contact me to schedule a meeting to discuss solutions to your child’s absences. Sincerely,
Principal Your School Name
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SAMPLE
(TO PLACE ON YOUR LETTERHEAD) Fecha Nombre de Padre(s)/Guardian(es) Domicilio Ciudad, Estado Codigo Postal Tema: AUSENCIAS EXCESIVAS Estimado Los registros de asistencia de la escuela muestran que ___________________ ha estado ausente de la escuela por ___________dias este ano escolar. Aunque _______de estas ausencias se han registrado corno excusables por enfermedad, nosotros estamos preocupados tocante al numero de dias de instruccion escolar que se se han perdido. Los estudiantes rapidamente se atrasan academicamente si las ausencias occurren con frecuencia. Como resultado, generalmente reciben maias calificaciones y pueden serconsiderados para retencion. Cuando las ausencias son excesivas, es nuestra obligacion determiner las causas. Esta obligacion es para el beneficio de todo el cuerpo estudiantil al igual que para su hijo/a. Enfernedades continuas pueden requerir un examen medico para determinar lo necesario para prevenir la perdida future de instruccion vallosa y para asegurar un medio ambiente saludable para todos los estudiantes. Debido a este munero excesivo de ausencias, enfermedades en el futuro requeriran una nota del medico o una visita a la enfermera de la escuela para verificar la necesidad de conceder una ausencia justiticada. Codigo de Educacion C.A.C. Titulo 5, Seccion 421. Por favor lea esta ley al reves de esta carta. Su cooperacion es muy agradecida. Por favor comuniquese conmigo para fijar una junta y discutir soluciones par alas ausencias de su hijo/a. Sinceramente,
Director Nombre de su Escuela
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NSSD
North Sacramento School District 670 Dixieanne Avenue • Sacramento, California 95815 (916) 263-8307 •FAX (916) 263-8226
____________________________ Date
Child’s Name: ______________________________ Birth date: ___________________ School: _______________________________ Teacher/Grade: ___________________
Dear Parent/Guardian: Your child has missed an excessive amount of time from school due to personal or excused absences. We are concerned about the health and well being of your child. It is unusual for children to miss this much school unless there is a health problem requiring a doctor’s care. When a child does not attend school, he/she misses out on important learning time. Your child has already missed ______days out of the school year. We would like to assist you in improving your child’s health and attendance. The North Sacramento School District provides credentialed school nurses who are available for advice. Please call the school nurse for an appointment. We have included a list of health resources for your information. Thank you for your cooperation in improving your child’s attendance. Sincerely,
Principal
Copies to: Child Welfare & Attendance School File
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NSSD
North Sacramento School District 670 Dixieanne Avenue • Sacramento, California 95815 (916) 263-8307 •FAX (916) 263-8226
____________________________ Date
School: ___________________________ Teacher/Grade: ______________________ Minor’s Name: _________________________________ Birth date: _______________
Dear Parent/Guardian: Your child has lost valuable learning time due to excessive excused absences from school. We are extremely concerned about your child’s academic progress. You have been sent two letters regarding attendance. First we offered school and community resources to assist you in improving your child’s health. When your child continued to miss school, we requested that you obtain a doctor’s note for each absence. Because of repeated absences from school over a prolonged period of time, the above named minor is in a position to be referred to the School Attendance Review Board, as defined by California State Law (Education Code Sections 48260 – 48293). Should your child be referred, you will be contacted by this office with a date and time to appear. Parents or guardian are required to compel the enrollment and regular attendance at school of all minors between the ages of six and eighteen (Education Code 48200 – 48203). Parents are urged to make every effort to comply with the provisions of this law. Failure to do so may result in a complaint filed against you with the District Attorney’s office. Regular school attendance is critical for every child. Please contact your child’s school or this office if you have any question with regard to the above matter. Sincerely,
Debbie Morris, MSW Child Welfare & Attendance Supervisor
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SAMPLE EXCUSED ABSENCE LETTER FOLLOW UP TO INFORMATION ONLY LETTER REQUIRES DOCTOR’S NOTE Date Parent Name Address Address RE: Child’s Name We sent a letter to you previously expressing our concern about the number of days your child has been absent from school. The school’s attendance records show that your child, _________________, has now been absent from school for _____days this school year. Although many of these have been recorded as excused for illness, we are concerned regarding the number of days of classroom instruction that your child is missing. Students quickly fall behind academically if they are absent frequently. As a result, they generally have poor grades and may be considered for retention. Due to the excessive number of absences, if your child misses school in the future due to illness, a doctor’s note or visit to the school nurse or health aide will be necessary to verify the need to grant an excused absence. Your cooperation in fulfilling your legal obligation to see that your child attend school is appreciated. Please contact the school if you have any questions. Sincerely,
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SAMPLE EXCUSED ABSENCE LETTER COMBINS INFORMATION LETTER WITH REQUIRING DOCTOR’S NOTE
Date Parent Name Address Address RE: Child’s Name We are concerned about the number of days your child has been absent from school. The school’s attendance records show that your child has excessive absences from school. Although many of these have been recorded as excused for illness, we are concerned regarding the number of days of classroom instruction that your child is missing. Students quickly fall behind academically if they are absent frequently. As a result, they generally have poor grades and may not be successful in school. The California State Department if Health recognizes that school should be concerned with pupil’s absences in excess of ten (10) school days. Due to the excessive number of absences, if your child misses school in the future due to illness, a doctor’s note or visit to the school nurse or health aide will be necessary to verify the need to grant an excused absence. Your cooperation in fulfilling your legal obligation to see that your child attend school is appreciated. Please contact the school if you have any questions. Sincerely,
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