The warmer the weather and the closer we get to school ending for the year, the harder it is to remain focused and for school attendance to remain a priority. Parents and guardians, it is so very important to keep your kiddos attending school each and every day. With only 29 days left in this school year, we need your help keeping school a priority and keeping students focused and wanting to come to school every day. Sometimes the rules about attendance are confusing. Do doctor’s notes help my student when attendance problems become an issue? Does a note from home count as an excused absence? If I take my child out to attend an event for an older brother or sister is this an unexcused absence? What if I have many unexcused absences? Listed below are the rules for compulsory attendance from the State of Texas that guides our school district.A student may be excused for temporary absence resulting from any cause acceptable to the teacher, principal, or superintendent of the school in which the person is enrolled. Excused absences are not counted when determining the number of absences that trigger a referral or complaint for failure to comply with the compulsory attendance requirement. Excused absences are counted in determining whether a student is in compliance with the attendance requirements for class credit, which is 90% of the days the class was in session. A school district is required to excuse a student’s absence for observance of a religious holy day, for attending a required court appearance, to appear at a governmental office to complete paperwork required in connection with the student’s application for United States citizenship, to take part in a United States naturalization oath ceremony, or for service as an election clerk. A school district must excuse a temporary absence for the purpose of an appointment with a health care professional if the student comes to school the day of the appointment, either before or after the appointment. A district may excuse the absence of a student who is a junior or senior for the purpose of visiting an accredited institution of higher education. In addition, a school district may excuse a student in grades 6 through 12 for the purpose of sounding “Taps” at a military honors funeral held in this state for a deceased veteran.A school superintendent may excuse a student’s absence for the purpose of visiting with a parent or legal guardian who is an active duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting.Credit for a class on a student’s attendance is for at least 90 percent of the days a class is offered. A student who is in attendance for at least 75 percent, but less than 90 percent, of the days a class is offered may be given credit if the student completes a plan approved by the principal that provides for the student to meet the instructional requirement of the class. Parents PLEASE make note that unexcused absences will trigger a report to law enforcement. A student who is truant is the parent/guardian’s responsibility and schools must file with the local court. Under §25.0951(a), a complaint or referral for 10 or more unexcused absences within six months must be made within 10 school days from the date of the student’s 10th absence. Parents, let us know how we can help you the first day of school all the way until the last day of school!! School is coming to a close quickly. Please check the website at www.san-saba.net for school information and follow us on facebook, too! If you have any question about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3771 or email me at lglaze@san-saba.net .