Attendance Policy Updates

Dear ECS Families,

We hope you and your student had a phenomenal first week of school filled with connection, laughter, and learning. With the first few days behind us, ECS’s student services team looks to the road ahead and believes that it is never too early to talk about the importance of attendance. ECS is dedicated to educating the whole child, and consistent attendance is key to student success and positive outcomes.

As you develop your school routines, please note below the changes in the attendance policy for the 23-24 School Year. 

General Guidelines

  • A parent is allowed to provide ten (10) excused absences. After ten (10) excused absences, /guardians are required to submit a physician’s excuse for every subsequent absence. Failure to supply a physician’s excuse for absences beyond ten (10) days will result in an unexcused absence, and the unexcused absence procedures from above will be followed.

  • If the office manager does not receive an excuse note after three (3) days, the absence will remain unexcused. 

  • A parent can excuse up to three (3) consecutive absences. On the fourth (4) consecutive absence, a physician’s excuse is required. 

Tardies and Early Dismissals

  • A student is considered tardy if they arrive late within the first 90 minutes of the start of the school day. 

  • If a student arrives at school late, a parent/guardian must escort them to the main office of their school and their type of tardy or absence (half/full day) will be determined by their time of arrival. 

  • The student must submit an acceptable excuse for the absence to be considered excused. 

  • Parents are allowed to excuse up to ten (10) tardies and ten (10) early dismissals per school year as long as it aligns with the approved excused list. 

  • After ten (10) tardies or early dismissals, a physician’s excuse must be provided. Physician’s excuses can be provided for any tardy or early dismissal prior to the ten (10) approved parent excuses and will be considered excused. 

  • Students may also receive early dismissals due to injury, illness, or other medical needs, as determined by the school nurse. These early dismissals will be considered excused. 

  • Early dismissals are accepted from the start of the day until 30 minutes prior to dismissal. If a parent or guardian requests for early dismissal within the last 30 minutes of the school day, they will be asked to wait to pick up their child until dismissal. Exceptions may be made for high school students participating in sports. 

  • Failure to supply a physician’s excuse beyond ten (10) days will result in an unexcused tardy and/or unexcused early dismissal.

Please note the tardy and half and full-day absence times by building below:

Primary School

  • Arrival 10 a.m. = Tardy

  • Arrival between 10:01 - 11:59 a.m. = Half Day

  • Arrival after 12 p.m. = Full Day

Intermediate School

  • Arrival by 9:50 a.m. = Tardy

  • Arrival between 9:51 - 11:49 a.m. = Half Day

  • Arrival after 11:50 a.m. = Full Day

Middle School

  • Arrival by 10:20 a.m. = Tardy

  • Arrival between 10:21 - 12:19 p.m. = Half Day

  • Arrival after 12:20 p.m. = Full Day

High School

  • Arrival by 9:30 a.m. = Tardy

  • Arrival between 9:30 - 11:29 a.m. = Half Day

  • Arrival after 11:30 a.m. = Full Day

Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to review the attendance policy in its entirety on page 11 of the Family Handbook

Creating a consistent pattern and morning routine is the first step in ensuring your child’s engagement and participation in school. With your partnership and collaboration, we hope to foster a connection between school and home that will promote a flourishing educational journey. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to growing the next generation of thought leaders, system thinkers, and above all, citizens. 

Sincerely, 

Amanda Cribbs, EdD

Superintendent