Students are considered to be chronically absent if they miss 10% of their school year regardless of excused or unexcused absences. For example, if a student misses two days a month, by the end of the year they will have missed 18 days which translates into the equivalent of one month of school. Starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, chronic absence can leave third graders unable to read proficiently, sixth graders struggling with coursework and high school students off track for graduation. As part of our attendance program, attendance letters will be generated each week for students missing school.

As per our Code of Conduct, parents have 3 days to submit a written excuse with a signature to the school. If you receive a letter within the 3 day time period, simply send in your written excuse to update your student’s attendance record. We would like to remind you that there is a limit of 4 parental notes per semester. For more information about chronic absenteeism, student academic growth and the new ESSA laws as it relates to parent and family engagement with your child, please contact Jackie Hester by phone at 256-218-2100 or by email at jackie.hester@scottsboroschools.net

Parents may submit student absence excuses to the following email address: (You may need to copy and paste the email address in your email)

For High School: shsattend@scottsboroschools.net

Each note should be submitted within 3 days of the student's return. Notes may be scanned or emailed via a cell phone picture.

Click Here for a sample letter.