Attendance Office
Attendance Policy
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Per the Texas Education Code 25.092 and HISD FEC ( Local) a minimum attendance requirement of 90% of class meetings must be met before credit can be awarded for the course. At HISD, missing more than 10 percent of school a year can lead to a student not receiving a grade (NG) or being retained, but more importantly, it represents lost time in the classroom and a lost opportunity to learn. For complete details on HISD’s attendance policy, please see HISD Attendance Policy.
| Attendance Office Numbers | Fax Number | 713-295-3704 |
| ADA Attendance Clerk | Marta Flores | 713-295-3704 |
| Attendance Clerk | Celia Espadas | 713-295-3704 |
| Attendance Case Worker | Mary Uglade | 713-295-3704 |
What should I do for an absence?
Students who have been absent or tardy must present a written excuse from the parents or guardian when they return to school. Parents may also fax excuse notes to the attendance office @713-295-3704 or email to attendance at: MFLORESD@houstonisd.org
Excuses for absences and tardies are:
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personal illness
- sickness or death in the family
- quarantine
- weather or road conditions making travel dangerous
- participation in school activities with permission of the principal
- juvenile court proceeding documented by a probation officer
- approved college visitation
- emergencies
- religious holidays
In the case of ANY absence, excuse notes must be turned in to the attendance office within three days of returning to school. All notes must contain the following:
- student's full legal name and school ID number
- date(s) of absence and the
- The date the note was written
- parent name, signature, and contact phone number
What if I am absent for a long period of time?
Absences of 5 or more consecutive school days must be excused with a doctor’s note.
Why wasn’t my absence excused?
If a student does not check out before leaving campus or sign in upon late arrival OR if excuse notes are turned in for a previous grading cycle (6 weeks) that has ended, an excuse note will not be accepted.
Early Dismissal from school:
All students must check out with Ms. Espadas in the Attendance Office located in the Main Office before leaving school during the course of the school day. Parents must come in to check their students out, and they must present valid ID that matches information in PowerSchool/HISD Connect. The main office will then request the student from class. Failure to abide by the following procedures will result in an unexcused absence and will be referred to their Assistant Principal.
● Approval will not be granted until the parent or guardian is verified. At the pre-approved time of leaving the student’s teacher will sign the permit, and the student will report to the Attendance Office to sign out. No student may leave campus before the official end of his/her day without administrative permission.
● 3:00 PM is the cut-off time to pick a student up early for the day. Parents arriving after 3:00 PM will be unable to have their student called down to the attendance office. If a student needs to be picked up early, they need to be picked up before 3:00 PM.
● When absent, students should turn in an excuse note (doctor’s, parent, etc…) to Ms. Espadas for filing. As a reminder, a minimum attendance requirement of 90% in each class is required for the awarding of course credit.
What do I do if I am planning a college visit?
Juniors and Seniors are allowed two college visits during the fall and spring semesters. When the student returns from the visit they must bring a letter on college letterhead with the student’s name, date of the visit. Then the letter should be sent to the attendance office no later than three days after the visit.
If you have any further questions, please contact the attendance office.
What is required for Senior Exemptions?
To be eligible for spring semester finals exemption through the attendance office, you must have no more 3 regular absences and 2 college Spring absences.
Any excuse notes must be brought to the attendance office three days after the student returns to school from the absence.
Attendance and Supervision During School Hours:
We all want what’s best for our children, and a crucial aspect lies in their attendance and supervision during school hours.
Here are a few reasons why this is so important:
1. Academic Success: Attending school regularly allows children to stay on top of their studies, engage with their teachers and peers, and participate actively in classroom discussions. This leads to better understanding of concepts and improved academic performance.
2. Social Interaction: School provides a safe and nurturing environment for students to interact with their peers. Regular attendance ensures that students can develop and strengthen important friendships, social skills, and emotional well-being.
3. Building Responsibility: By attending school punctually and regularly, students learn the value of being responsible and accountable. This prepares the for the future commitments and enables them to become confident individuals.
4. Safety and Security: Supervision during school hours is vital to ensuring the safety of our students. With proper monitoring, we can prevent unsupervised activities and provide a secure environment for learning and growth.
To help us out with this, we suggest not dropping off your student at Meyerland Plaza or any other place that is not Bellaire High School. We kindly request your support in ensuring that your child arrives on time and attends school regularly. By doing so, you contribute significantly to their overall well-being and academic achievements. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community.
