2020-2021 Digital Form: Student Check-Out for Early Dismissal AND Note Submission

Attendance Office

NOTE: Please do not reply to any messages received about attendance from “austin@austinisd.org” as it will not be sent to the attendance office. Use the email provided for the Attendance Specialist below to contact our office.
Linda Garcia: Temporary Attendance Specialist 
  • Contact for ALL Student Absences and Notes
  • Please see info for Student Absences and Notes below 
  • Email:  linda.a.garcia@austinisd.org 
  • Fax: 512-414-7254
Valarie Garza: Substitute Coordinator/Attendance Support

Early Dismissal Requests

Advance Dismissal Request Process:
  • Parent/Guardians may submit a dismissal request in advance to the campus by 1:00PM for an absence on the FOLLOWING day. 
  • Complete the "Student Check-Out for Early Dismissal AND Note Submission" form at the top of this page. You have the option to upload a file/document related to the absence which will be forwarded to the appropriate Austin High staff member.
  • The campus will not be able to accommodate dismissal requests that come in after the 1:00PM hour, as we abide by a 24 hour (plus) advance notice policy. 
Day of Absence Dismissal Request Process:
Requests on the day of the absence may be submitted in one of the following manners:
  • A parent or guardian may visit the 1st floor office to check-out a student in person.
  • A dismissal request note may be sent with a student to be dropped off at the 1st floor office and forwarded to the appropriate Austin High staff member. 

Attendance: Frequently Asked Questions

My student has an upcoming absence that has not yet occurred. What should I do? 
  • Student attendance can only be updated AFTER absences have occurred.
  • If possible, notify teachers of any upcoming absences so students can collect work in advance.
  • **For Remote Learning Students (off campus/at home): No request for early dismissal is necessary. Student/parent should communicate with teachers in advance to obtain work and upload required documentation to excuse the absence the DAY OF or AFTER absence occurs. 
  • After the absence occurs, choose one of the 3 options listed below for documenting your student’s attendance.  
My student was absent from school. What should I do?  
  • We appreciate you understanding printed documentation is required for ALL student absences even if your student did not visit a healthcare professional and even if you were present when they were released from school. NO PAPER NOTES will be accepted at this time.  Notes can be pictures of handwritten or typed notes, or can be emailed from a doctor/therapist/counselor. For family emergencies, funerals, other issues, please send a note labeling the circumstance. Please allow at least 48 hours for absences to be processed.
    • Option 1: Upload student absence note or a picture of the note using the "Student Check-Out for Early Dismissal AND Note Submission" form at the top of this page (jpeg, word, doc, pdf, etc. files accepted). Notes can be direct from a doctor’s office or pictures of handwritten/screenshots of notes. Please include: 
      • Student first and last name 
      • Student ID#
      • Date(s) and Period(s) missed   
      • Reason for absence
      • Your first and last name
    • Option 2: Email Linda A Garcia and in your email please include the information listed above.
    • Option 3: Fax 512-414-7254, attention Linda Garcia, and please include the information listed above.
Can my student email their note to excuse their absence?
  • Per AHS Administration, student emails are not accepted by the attendance office specialist. Student emails are only accepted by teachers. 
I tried using the online form and the link just isn’t working for me. What can I do?
  • Please try using a different browser or clearing your browsing data and try the link again. If the link still won’t work for you, please use the email or fax option to send in your note. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve attendance at AHS. 
My student was counted absent or tardy by the classroom teacher. What do I do?
  • We appreciate your patience and understanding that teachers have 14 days to make corrections to student attendance. If a student has already contacted the teacher for corrections, please allow for the change to be within this window.  
    • Student should first check in with the teacher who counted them absent or tardy.  
    • Parent/guardian can email the teacher directly about the absence in question if no change is made within the 14 day window.
My student was counted absent or tardy by a substitute teacher. What do I do?
  • Student should first inform their classroom teacher. The teacher can submit a form to the Substitute Coordinator to correct the absence or tardy if the entry was made in error.
I sent in an attendance note. Why did I still receive a phone call/email/letter about my student’s attendance?
  • Attendance notifications are from an automated system. Even if you give advance notice or turn in a note the day of absence, it's impossible for us to beat the notification system. Every attendance note is manually entered which is why we ask parents to allow at least 48 hours for attendance changes to show in TEAMS/Parent Cloud. Feel free to disregard any automated communication if you know you've done your part to inform us about absence(s) OR use it as a reminder to send in a note if you haven’t.
Additional Attendance Information  AHS Student Sign Out Policy: ON CAMPUS ONLY (Face to Face)
  • Please understand even if you pick up your student(s) during lunch or between classes or give your student(s) permission to leave, we need all students to sign out any time they leave campus for non-school related reasons and appreciate your support in this effort. 
This policy increases campus safety and helps keep attendance updated.
How can I request an Early Dismissal for my ON CAMPUS student?
We thank you for understanding emails and phone calls are not accepted for student check-out
  • Parent/Guardians may submit a request using the  "Student Check-Out for Early Dismissal AND Note Submission" located at the top of this page online 24hrs+ in advance no later than 1:00PM for an absence for the FOLLOWING day. AHS cannot accommodate online dismissal requests that come in after the 1:00PM hour, as we abide by a 24 hour+ advance notice policy. 
    • Example: Student needs to leave early on Friday, 9/11. Online submission must be submitted no later than 1PM on Thursday, 19/10. 
  • **For Remote Learning Students (off campus/at home): No request for early dismissal is necessary. Student/parent should communicate with teachers in advance to obtain work and upload required documentation the DAY OF or AFTER absence occurs. ​
What if I miss the deadline for an online Early Dismissal Request?
  • Anyone checking out a student must provide a government issued ID and be on the student's pick-up list. 
  • A handwritten or printed note can be sent with your student on the same day an early dismissal is needed. Notes should be delivered immediately to check-in desk or class monitor to receive a pass to check-out at the designated time.  
  • All notes must include: 
    • Student first and last name 
    • Student ID#
    • Date
    • Time of dismissal
    • Reason
    • ​Parent/guardian signature
My student wants to participate in a College Visit Day. What do I do? 
Students are allowed two (2) excused college visits during their junior year and two (2)   excused college visits during their senior year.  
  • Option 1: Obtain documentation directly from the college/university and email a copy/picture of it to Linda Garcia or upload the copy/picture to  "Student Check-Out for Early Dismissal AND Note Submission" located at the top of the page. Be sure to include student ID#.  ​
  • Option 2: Complete the College Visit Slip.doc and email a copy/picture of it to Norma Ramos or upload the copy/picture to  "Student Check-Out for Early Dismissal AND Note Submission" located at the top of the page. Be sure to include student ID#.  ​
  • Option 3: Fax a copy of documentation to 512-414-7254 directly from the college/university or a completed College Visit Slip.
My student was counted absent or tardy by the classroom teacher. What do I do?
  • Student should first check in with the teacher who counted them absent or tardy.  
  • Parent/guardian can email the teacher directly about the absence in question.
My student was counted absent or tardy by a substitute teacher. What do I do?
  • Student should first inform their classroom teacher. The teacher can submit a form to the Substitute Coordinator to correct the absence or tardy if the entry was made in error. 
How can I receive a list of current absences/tardies?  How can I receive a Verification of Enrollment (VOE)? Who should I contact for information about Attendance/Credit Recovery?
Students have different options to recover attendance/credit. Please direct questions about Credit Recovery options to your student’s Academy A.P.