Attendance/Truancy Notices
Please do not panic if you receive what appears to be a truancy letter. The district letters automatically populate at 3, 5, 7, and 9 absences or tardies whether they are excused or unexcused. These letters provide you with information and are a good reminder if you haven’t turned in a written note or email after your child returns from illness. If we are concerned about excessive absences, we will reach out to you directly to discuss and follow this process:
- Level 1 Absence Concern - Notification Letter (10 or more absences or tardies)
- Level 2 Absence Concern - Phone Call from School
- Level 3 Absence Concern - Student Support Team Meeting
- Level 4 Absence Concern - Plano Attendance Review Board
- We would never file truancy court charges these levels to you.
Please know that we are aware of illnesses this time of year and will always take that into consideration before ever considering filing for truancy court. We know these letters can feel “threatening” and hope the small note attached assures you that we are needing to send these out per district guidelines, yet we will always communicate with you before considering Plano Attendance Review Board or Truancy Court.
Absences Due to Illness
If a student is ill and will be missing school, please call Wells’s absence hotline at 469-752-3700.
Absentee Notes
When a student is absent and returns to school, by state attendance laws, he or she must present a written note from the parent or guardian even if a parent or guardian called the attendance line. The note should include:
- Student name
- Student ID number
- Reason for the absence
- Date(s) of absence(s)
- Phone number where the parent or guardian may be reached
Notes from a doctor may be submitted in lieu of a parent note. Notes should be given to the attendance office before 9:00 a.m. on the day the student returns. After three school days, notes may not be accepted, and the absences may be deemed unexcused. Absences from school to extend holidays are discouraged. Be sure to check the school calendar prior to making travel arrangements or purchasing tickets. Excessive tardies and unexcused absences will result in truancy filings. See school board policy FEA Legal for more details.