How to Report a Student Absence

Report an Absence Form

Attendance Procedures at South Academy of International Languages


The instructional day begins at 8:15 a.m.

- Students can arrive at school as early as 7:45 a.m.
- Students cannot be left at school unsupervised before 7:45 a.m.
- Students must be in the classroom by 8:15 a.m.
- An adult must sign any student who arrives at school at or after 8:15 a.m. in the front office.

Procedures for Reporting an Absence

1. When your child is absent, please complete the S.A.I.L. Attendance Form  

2. In addition to completing the Attendance Form, you may also send a note to your child’s teacher. The note to the teacher does not replace completing the form.

3. If your child is ill for three days or more, please supply a doctor’s note to your child’s teacher in order for the absence to be excused. You may also email this note to: attendance.sail@cms.k12.nc.us 

Excused Absences Include:

- Illness of student

- Death in immediate family

- Observation of Religious Holidays (CMS Approved. Submit the completed form to the office for the principal's signature)

- Deployment activities

- Quarantine

- Medically fragile (Doctor’s note or statement required)

- Medical or Dental appointment (please make every effort to schedule appointments outside of school hours)

- Court or administrative proceedings

- Homelessness or lack of transportation 
- Approved educational opportunities (see below)

What about Requesting an Absence for valid educational opportunities: 

Educational Opportunities that Will Be Considered for an Approved Absence Include:

1. A visit to a country where the student’s target language is the primary language.
2. Student participation in a significant sports tournament, music/arts performance, or activity organized by an outside agency.
3. Participation in a cultural ceremony (ceremonies connected with observed religious holidays are excused).

Absence approval will take into account a student’s academic record and participation in other school-related overnight trips/exchanges. A maximum of five excused educational opportunity absences may be granted in one academic year. Excused absences will not be granted, or will be revoked, if the total number of consecutive days absent is ten or more. A Request for Absence for Valid Educational Opportunity Form must be submitted to the Front Office no less than five school-days prior to the start of the absence: Form - English / Form - Spanish

What happens if a student’s absence is not submitted or not excused?

If the school is not contacted, state law and school board policy require the school to call the parent or guardian to confirm the child’s absence. Missing school unexcused for ten days or more will result in a student's magnet being revoked. This will require the students to re-enroll in their local community CMS school.

What should be done about missed work?

Assignments missed during the absence are the student’s responsibility to complete. Excused absences allow work to be made up; however, teachers cannot be expected to provide make-up tutoring. Please remember to thank teachers who often go above-and-beyond to ensure a student is fully caught up after missing school.

Email: attendance.sail@cms.k12.nc.us