If your child is absent or comes to school late, they will be required to submit an excuse regarding their absence within three days of the absence. Each excuse should be submitted through the school's attendance email listed below and include the following miniumum information:

bwfabsences@mtnbrook.k12.al.us

• Date the excuse is submitted
• Name of student
• Reason the student was absent
• Date of the absence
• Signature of the parent or guardian

A picture of an excuse with a signature would suffice.

Please see examples of excuses for references:

Acceptable Excuse:

Acceptable Excuse: 

Unacceptable Excuse:

 

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The state recognizes the following five items as excused:

1. Illness
2. Death in the immediate family
3. Weather preventing attendance
4. Legal/Court requirements
5. Religious holidays

The state also gives local schools the ability to provide “Principal’s Permission” for absences which may offer a degree of educational or personal enrichment to the student.  Please see our student handbook or web page for more details on how to obtain “Principal’s Permission”.

Below you will find the revised guidance on Unexcused Absences and Excused Absences in excess of ten (10) days.

 

Attendance/Truancy

Truancy: Any student who does not provide a written excuse within 3 days of an absence is deemed truant. An unexcused absence will also be awarded if the written excuse does not meet the states guidelines in order for the absence to be excused (see the five items above and the option of “Principal’s Permission”).

 

First Unexcused Absence (First absence in which a written excuse is not provided.)

• A letter will be sent to the parent/guardian sharing the district policy based on state law, including penalties if truancy continues.

Fifth Unexcused Absence in school year

• By board policy, a mandatory parent/guardian/student conference with school administration must take place.

Sixth Unexcused Absence in school year

The District Attendance Supervisor is notified. Mountain Brook Schools may consider referring case to juvenile court (Early Warning Program).

Seventh Unexcused Absence in school year

• By law and board policy, the system may refer parent/student to juvenile court when appropriate.

 

Absences for Medical Reasons

Missing more than ten (10) days of school per semester is considered excessive absence. If a student misses more than 10 days for medical per semester, the parent/guardian may be required to provide written medical verification for the subsequent absence from a licensed physician stating that the absence was a medical necessity. If written medical verification is not received, the absence will be unexcused unless the absence is due to an excused reason other than illness.