Attendance Policy

Please call this number when your child is absent.

872-5325

Please call by 9:00 am on the morning your child/children will not be in school.

All children are expected to be in attendance each day unless they are ill or a family emergency arises. Every day is a learning opportunity and when students miss school, the learning activities and class assignments can never be duplicated exactly. Make-up work does not reflect the learning process that is developed in class discussions and interactions. Parents must call the school’s attendance line to report the absence or send a note when returning from an absence. Unexcused absences occur when there is no phone call or note. We encourage you to update home and business numbers on the office emergency card as soon as possible, so that we may always know whom to contact in case of an emergency.

We also realize that there will be instances when your child may be tardy. Please avoid this whenever possible. Tardiness interrupts your child’s instructional time.

It is mandatory in the Hillsborough County School System that parents report their child’s absence. You can call the school’s voice mail 24 hours a day at 872-5325 Ext. 1 to report your child’s absence by 9:00 a.m. on the same day your child will not be in school. Please leave the following information on the recording:

1. Your child’s name (please spell-out the last name)
2. The name of your child’s teacher.
3. Your name and telephone number.
4. The date or dates your child will be absent.

• If you do not report your child’s absence you will be called either at your home or at your work to verify your child’s absence and to remind you of the school’s procedure for reporting absences. Additional documentation may be required to verify the absence.
  
  
• When a student accumulates five absences from the designated attendance period during a nine-week grading period, a computer generated letter will be sent to the parent(s).
  
  
• When a student accumulates ten unexcused absences (not including suspensions) within a 90-calendar day period a computer generated letter will be sent to the parent or guardian.
  
  
• A student who is absent six or more days in a nine week grading period may be required to present medical evidence or have the parent visit the school to verify absences.
  
  
• Grady Elementary has developed incentives for students and teachers to reward and improve school attendance.