YES Prep believes in the importance of student attendance in order to maximize student learning and connection to supports and resources. All YES Prep students should be in attendance daily.
Why Does Attendance Matter?
Daily attendance is critical for student learning and socialization. Research shows that students who are chronically absent- missing 10% or more of school days due to absence for any reason (excused, unexcused, suspensions) - can lead to difficulty learning to read by the 3rd grade, achieving academically in middle school, and graduating from high school.
- English
- Spanish
English
Attendance Everyday (English)
Spanish
Attendance Everyday (Spanish)
What Can You Do to Help Your Student?
Click on these free attendance resources to see what you can do to make sure your student is successful this year.
- Elementary
- Secondary
Elementary
Secondary
When Missing Days Becomes a Concern
Per the state of Texas, any student who misses 10% or more of the school year may be subject to retention, loss of credit, or truancy consequences. Ten percent of a course credit for middle school is approximately 18 days over the entire school year. For high school courses, this is 9 days within a semester.
Three absences:
- Warning letter and parent meeting
Six and nine or more absences:
- Warning letter and parent meeting
+ Warning and possible make-up time
Eighteen absences:
- Warning letter and parent meeting
- Warning and possible make-up time
+ Risk of retention, loss of credit or truancy consequence
Excused and Unexcused
Excused Absence: An absence is considered excused if a student provides physical or electronic documentation within 48 hours of absence indicating the student’s full name, dates missed and is signed by a guardian or doctor mentioning any of the following reasons:
- Illness
- Medical/dental-related, including appointments
- School-sanctioned activities
- Absences related to the legal system
- Family emergency
- Bereavement/Funeral for immediate family members
- Religious observances
- Short-term suspensions or other disciplinary actions resulting in an absence
- Any other absence that is protected under State or Federal Law
Upon return to school, a student absent for more than three (3) consecutive days because of a personal illness must bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the student’s extended absence from school. YES Prep students have access to Legacy clinics on site at most YES Prep campuses.
Unexcused Absence: An unexcused absence is when a child is absent without documentation signed by a guardian or doctor that meets the criteria for an excused absence.
What Happens When your Child is Absent?
1) Front office will call home to see reason for absence.
2) Student returns to school and turns in excuse note within 48 hours or guardian completes excuse note digitally in Skyward.
3) Excuse note is added to the student's file.
4) Student must make up all missed assignments.
Excused absence notes MUST be turned in within 48 hours of the absence. If it is not turned in within 48 hours, the absence will remain unexcused.
What Happens If My Student Has Excessive Absences?
When students are absent frequently or are on track to missing 10% of the schoolyear or semester, schools may require:
- Family meetings
- Student intervention plans
- Signed truancy warning letters
- Mandatory absenteeism sessions to be completed in-person by the student
- Mandatory absenteeism sessions to be completed by the guardian
At the end of the semester or year, if a student has missed 10% or more of the school year without proper excuses, the student may lose credit (High School) or may be at risk for retention (Elementary and Middle School).
For more information on the YES Prep attendance policy, please see the YES Prep 22-23 Student Handbook.
Supports
Short-Term Health Concerns:
- We understand that students get sick. You can utilize our partnership with Legacy Community Health to visit a doctor at one of our campuses or at a regional location. A student support counselor can help connect a student with Legacy Community Health.
Long-Term Health Concerns:
- Sometimes, long-term absences may be required by a doctor for medical or mental health reasons. In these cases, please reach out to your campus Student Support Counselor to request a meeting to inquire about Homebound services.
Mental Health Concerns:
- If your student needs support with mental health services, please fill out a Student Assistance Form (SAF) and your Student Support Counselor will follow-up to support with next steps.
