Attendance

• Westlake HS requires an email with any pertinent documentation within 48 hours of your student’s return that states the reason and date(s) of absence. 
   
• We do not accept phone calls or hand written notes. This is due to volume and to maintain proper records per TEA.
   
• Parents/guardians should email documentation to whsattendance@eanesisd.net that states:
  • Student’s legal name/student ID
     

  • date(s)

  • Reason

  • You may attach documentation to the email (e.g., doctor’s note)

• Please allow at least 2-3 business days for updates and corrections to your student’s attendance record.
   

• Students with more than 10 absences and/or 5 tardies in a class may be subject to a referral, and may not exempt their final in that class

• Students may make-up class work at 100% if the absence has been documented and the student has checked in and out through the attendance office. Please have your student check with each teacher with regard to their policy for test make-up.

• Reminder: You may review your student’s attendance record in Skyward. View most common codes.

NOTE:  Parent email and Doctor’s Notes are subject to random verification.

Late to School/Class

For Appointments

Before leaving:

1. Parents/guardians must email whsattendance@eanesisd.net stating the time your student [legal name/student ID] will be leaving for an appointment.

2.  All emails notifying us of an appointment must be received at least 30 minutes prior to the pick-up time to allow us to contact your student.

3. Students should come to the Attendance Office before school or in between class periods to pick up their “Permit-To-Leave” Slip. They will show their teacher the pass, allowing them to leave class for the appointment at that specific time.

Upon returning:

1. Your student needs to check in with the Attendance Office.

2. Supporting documentation can be presented by the student, or can be emailed by you, but they must still check in.

3. The attendance office will then code absence accurately and direct your student to the proper class.

4. Reminder: email and present documentation to the Attendance Office. Do not give or email notes to the teacher.

Automatic Call System 

If your student is absent for one or more periods, you will receive a phone call about their absence. Student attendance for school related absences will be automatically corrected (e.g., field trip, athletic event). Please check Skyward Family Access to view all attendance before making inquiries. Please allow 48 hours or two business days for any absence codes to appear.

If you have questions about an unexcused absence, email your student’s teacher that marked that period’s absence directly and they will contact the attendance office to make the correction in the system.

You may also designate on Family Access to be emailed regarding attendance entered for your student for the day. If you receive an email or Skylert Call, you may use it as a reminder to send in a note for the all-day absence.

If you feel you were contacted in error:

1. For absences/tardies in a single class, please email the teacher to inquire. The teacher will then contact the Attendance Office to correct any mistakes.

2. For questions on whole day absences email the Attendance Office.

Advance Notification 

Please notify the Attendance Office of any family commitments or events that will fall within the school calendar days.

Process for Taking a College Visit

• Prior to the visit, please refer to information on the WHS Counseling Website.

• After your visit, please forward the email from the college thanking your student for visiting their campus or attending their tour to whsattendance@eanesisd.net within 48 hours.

• Please note: the email in Step 2 is something you receive after you have actually visited the campus, not something thanking you for registering for a visit.  We require verification directly from the institution, either email or a letter. We are no longer using paper College Visit Verification forms.

* If you are requesting additional college visits, you will need permission from your assistant principal for it to be coded as a college visit instead of an excused absence.

Verification of Enrollment (VOE)

All requests for VOE's can be made by email at whsvoe@eanesisd.net.   Once requested, please allow 24 hours for pick-up at the Front Office.  A student must be in accordance with the Texas Compulsory Attendance Law to obtain a VOE.  If you have questions, please call Laura Davis at 512-732-9280, ext 33040.

Why do I have to send an email when my child is absent?

An email from parent/guardian is considered an excused absence [D] and allows your student to make up classwork missed without penalty. No email equals a zero for the day because it is an unexcused absence [U].

How do I contact attendance?

Email us at whsattendance@eanesisd.net. Please include student’s First, Middle and Last Name in the Subject line with either their grade and/or student ID number. We have quite a few students with the same name, so please be as detailed as possible and avoid nicknames.

 
What do I do if my student is sick?

Email whsattendance@eanesisd.net first thing in the morning or the night before and let us know. We will update their record and their teachers will be able to see they are out sick.

Please email each day they are absent. This ensures accurate attendance should your child return earlier than expected, or must be out longer than anticipated.

 
How do I check my student out of school?

Emails must be received at least 30 minutes prior to appointment.

• Email attendance at whsattendance@eanesisd.net and let us know:
  • The name of the student, (legal name - no nicknames),
  • the time your student needs to leave and 
  • for what reason. 
     
• Your student should stop by the office before the appointment time to pick up a “permit to leave class” pass to present to his/her teacher
   
• Your student will then leave at the assigned time and meet you at your car.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO COME INSIDE. 
   
• If your student is checking out for a doctor or medical-related appointment, please make sure they return with a signed note from the doctor 
• Have them check in to the attendance office immediately upon their return and deliver the doctor’s note so we can record it accurately.
   

My child was marked absent when they were only tardy. Can you change that?

We can only mark student status when the student checks in with the Attendance Office upon arriving at school. Depending on the time they arrived, it will be coded Tardy or Absent for the current class period. 

1st period -  students are counted tardy up to the first 15 minutes of class. Periods 2 through 8 - students are considered tardy after 7 minutes. These absences / tardies are marked by the classroom teacher – please address questions to them.  The attendance office can only make corrections with the teacher’s approval. 
 

Why do I have to get a note from the doctor when I check my student out for a doctor’s appointment?  

When a doctor’s note is provided for the periods missed, the student’s absence for the periods affected is fully excused and does not count towards their compulsory attendance numbers for course credit and final exemptions. We require a note from the doctor’s office and cannot take a parent’s word for excusing the absence.  

Does my student need a doctor’s note if he/she is checking out early 15 minutes or more?

Yes. A student must be present for 90% of the class period to be counted present. For example, a 4 PM checkout still needs a doctor’s note the next day to be posted as “excused”. This absence will not count against their attendance or exemptions.
 

My doctor has recommended my student stay home for 2 or more days.  What do I need to provide to you?

You should send an email with the doctor's note attached that states they should stay home for XX days.  You must also email us each day they are out so that their absence will be coded correctly for the day - you do not need to attach the original note to subsequent emails. This avoids errors/confusion in the event they decide to return to school early or remain at home longer than expected.
 

Why did I get an attendance call when my student did all the paperwork before leaving for their college visit?

All college visit attendance codes will be updated when your student returns from their college visit with appropriate documentation. Disregard attendance phone messages until your student’s documentation is entered and the code updated (2-3 business days). Remember ONLY Junior and Seniors are fully excused for two (2) college visits, each consisting of 1 day (local), or 2 days (travel).