Attendance

One of the greatest factors ensuring success in school is regular attendance. In most cases, the student who attends class regularly and tries will pass. It takes effort to be in class every day, but your diploma is worth it.

If a student must miss school, a parent or guardian should contact the attendance office on the morning of the absence.

Student attendance to class is a necessary and mandatory part of school regulations. Making up class work is often difficult and inconvenient for both teacher and student and also handicaps the student's opportunity to succeed in his/her studies.

Based on state law, students will be required to attend class at least 90% of the days a class meets during the semester in order to earn credit for a course. Absences for which a student has been excused will be considered as days of attendance for computing the required 90% days of attendance. On the block schedule students may accumulate only four (4) absences under this law.

State law requires that students be in attendance for 90% of the days each semester in order for students to qualify for a driver’s license in Texas. Lubbock High School must certify that students have at least 90% attendance before students are allowed to apply for a driver’s license or renewal of a license.

If a student is ill and cannot come to school, the parent must call the school that morning to report the absence. The parent will be given a log number by the attendance clerk, and this number should be kept to verify the phone call. If the parent cannot or does not call in the day of the absence, a note from the parent must be presented by the student before class begins on the first day back to school. Phone calls after the day of the absence cannot be accepted to excuse the absence.

A student may be required to present a statement from a physician or health clinic verifying the illness or other condition requiring the student's extended absence from school. An attendance committee may also require a physician's or clinic's statement of illness after a single day's absence as a condition of classifying the absence as one for which there are extenuating circumstances, if the student has established a questionable pattern of absences.

Dental or medical appointments, other than emergencies, shall be scheduled outside of school hours or during open periods. If a student needs to visit a physician or a dentist for treatment, he/she should bring a note to the main office from the parent verifying the appointment before school starts that day, or the parent should phone the main office that morning. Every effort shall be made to permit the student to keep the appointment but lose as little time from school as possible. These absences are classified as excused. Appointments with all licensed practitioners shall be recognized.

Students will be expected to take care of traffic tickets, driver's license, appointments with governmental agencies, job interviews, or other court business outside of school hours. Students cannot be excused during school hours to take care of these types of business. Only an administrator or the school nurse may excuse a student to leave school during the day.

Classification of absences of students and the way absences affect grades shall be as follows:

Guidelines for parent request days:

Parent request days are limited to THREE (3) per year for students who have good attendance, citizenship, and grades. Seniors get an additional college visitation day. Requests shall be written and turned in to the main office at least three days in advance of the requested date.