Attendance and Truancy

E-Absence – a new way to report excused absences – is now live. Parents and guardians can now submit, schedule and track your student’s absences through the Aspen Parent Portal. You can sign in to your account at ASPEN.CPS.EDU and start using the E-Absence feature today.

Watch this video to see how to submit absence requests in Parent Portal

To access Parent Portal, you must:

Be listed as a contact for your student in the Student Information System.
Have a valid email in the student’s contact records.
Request and submit the validation code sent via email.

Don’t have an account? Contact your school clerk to register for an account today. You can also learn more at cps.edu/pages/parentresources.aspx.

Family Involvement

Families can help children achieve good attendance and stay on track at every grade level by:

Understanding CPS attendance expectations
Making sure their child is prepared for the school day
Notifying the school when their child stays home

On-Time Arrival

Arriving at school on time can make the entire day run smoother for students. When students are late, they can feel rushed, frustrated, and behind.

For elementary school students, being on time means that when the bell rings, students are in line with their class.
For high school students, being on time means that when the bell rings, students are in their classroom seats.

Students who are tardy must obtain proper documentation from the school office before proceeding to class.

School Attendance Procedures

Elementary schools take attendance during the first hour of the school day.
If a parent has not notified the school of a child's absence, a school representative will phone the home of the student during the second hour of the school day.
CPS District absentee robocaller automatically phones the home of every absent elementary student, even if their parent/guardian has previously informed the school of the absence
High schools take attendance during each class, but they are not required to call the home of absent students.

Family Vacations

Families can plan vacation travel and other commitments during holidays and on other non-attendance dates. For non-attendance dates during the school year, view the District Calendar.

Supporting Student Attendance

There are many ways to support your student’s attendance at school. Find out how to stay informed, get involved, and help your student maintain good attendance.

Access the Parent Portal

Sign up at your school to keep track of your child's attendance and grades through the CPS parent communication system.
If your student was marked absent incorrectly, contact your school.

Get Involved

Attend and participate in school-sponsored parent activities and programs such as the Parent Advisory Council and Report Card Pick Up.
Take the opportunity to meet with your child’s teachers
Participate in events that showcase what is happening at the school

Communicate

Ask your child every day about what they did in school
Check your child's school bag to make sure there is no homework or notes that need to be reviewed
Ask your school question so they can be better partners in your child’s education
Make sure you give your school correct contact information so you can be reached if your child becomes sick during the school

When is an absence considered half-day or full day?

Being present for less than 300 minutes of instruction but more than 150 minutes is considered a half-day absence. Being present for less than 150 minutes is considered a full-day absence.

When is a tardy become a 1/2-day or full-day absence?

For students who receive less than 300 minutes of instruction on a regular attendance day due to a tardy, a half-day or full-day absence is recorded depending on the time of arrival.

Does an excused absence count as an absence?

Yes, your note explains why your student was absent. This allows your student to avoid being considered truant. However, if your student is not in school, he or she is considered absent.

Is calling the school the same as informing them by note?

No, for an unexcused absence to become an excused absence, CPS requires that the student bring a paper note to school that indicates a valid reason for the absence.

What if my child does not want to go to school?

Families should tell their child that going to school is important, and inform the school about the anxiety their child is feeling. The school will work with the family to create a solution. Allowing the child to stay at home without working with the school results in bigger problems for the child.

What are the consequences of being late or having unexcused absences?

The CPS Student Code of Conduct allows assigning detention and/or in-school suspension (though not out-of-school suspension) for excessive truancy or tardiness. Board policy does not allow schools to drop students from enrollment due to excessive absences or tardiness. The larger consequence is that your child could fall off track.

Before School Every Day

Wake up on time so that you will not have to rush.
Have your child eat breakfast at home or at school.
Talk positively about school.
Ask that your child not go to the store until after school so he/she is not late.
Let your child know that you will be there to pick him/ her up in the afternoon or that you will be waiting at home.
You know your child best. Only keep your child at home if he/she is really sick.

After School Every Day

Ask about your child’s day
Find out what homework needs to be completed
Find out if there are any notes that need to be signed

Every Night Before School

Prepare his/her school bag
Prepare a lunch if needed
Prepare the uniform and, if necessary, the gym uniform
Have your child in bed at a reasonable hour every night
Set the alarm on your mobile phone or the alarm clock

Reason for Absence Note

Family Involvement

On-Time Arrival

School Attendance Procedures

Family Vacations

Supporting Student Attendance

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