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    Attendance Services. Showing up makes a difference


    We Want to Support You in Getting Your Child to School

Know the Facts

      Communicating Absences

      • Parents are expected to provide a note to their child’s school within two days of their return. This note should include:

        • Date of absence(s), 
        • Full name of the student
        • Reason for the absence
        • Daytime telephone number of parent/guardian

        These notes can be submitted in writing, via email,  or through other documented and verifiable means.

      Excused Absences

      • Students returning from an absence shall be required to present a written excuse from their parents or legal guardian stating the cause of the absence. The following causes are acceptable excuses for being absent:

        • Illness or injury of the student
        • Participation in therapy services
        • Serious illness or death in the student's family
        • Inclement weather
        • Official religious holiday
        • Insurmountable conditions as determined by the school principal
        • District bus failure
        • School-related activity as determined by the principal

      Unexcused Absences

      • Absences that are not considered excused include but are not limited to:

        • Vacations
        • Personal transportation issues
        • Tiredness
        • Illness of parent or other family member

      Truancy/Absenteeism

      • Students who miss 5 days within a calendar month or 10 days in a 90-day period are considered truant by the Duval County Public School District. These students and their parents/guardians may face consequences which can include referral to the State Attorney's Office.

      Reporting Truancy

      • If you know of a child who may be in danger of truancy and is in need of support, please let us know!

        • Call the Truancy Support Hotline at 904-348-5305. Or
        • Complete a

        Reporters' information will NOT be shared and will remain anonymous.

         

      The Law

      • Florida State statutes require all students of compulsory age to attend school regularly. Parents of these students are held responsible for ensuring their child's attendance.

      • Great Attendance Leads to Great Academic Success

        The opposite is also true. If children don’t show up for school regularly, they miss out on fundamental reading and math skills. Research shows that: 

        • Children who were chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of 3rd grade.

        • Missing 10% -- or about 2 days each month -- over the course of a school year, can make it harder to learn to read.

        • By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.

      • Make School Attendance a Priority:

        • Talk with your child about the importance of showing up to school.
        • Help your children maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
        • Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
        • Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.

      • Help Your Child Stay Engaged:

        • Find out if your children feel engaged by their classes and feel safe from bullies and other threats.
        • Make sure your children are not missing class because of challenges with behavioral issues or school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, contact the school and work with them to find a solution.
        • Encourage your child to join meaningful after-school activities, including sports and clubs.

      • Communicate With the School:

        • Monitor your child’s academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors when necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
        • Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not adding up.
        • Seek help from school staff, other parents, or community agencies if you need support.

      • Content above courtesy of Attendance Works. Learn more at .